Explore Latest Travel Trends On Spending, Destinations, Type of Travel & Much More!
Travel is popular amongst Baby Boomers with 74% of Baby Boomers prioritising travel in 2024. The largest segment of Boomers is retired; therefore travel during off-peak seasons. They are wealthy, with higher spending power and lower debt compared with younger generations and tend to spend on average $6,600 on travel each year.
As with most market segments, baby boomers are concerned about finances, however, 51% are still looking to splurge on a big trip next year. Check out our baby boomer travel statistics below for everything you need to know!
VITAL BOOMER TRAVEL STATISTICS:
74% of baby Boomers prioritised travel in 2024.
In 2024, 64% of Boomers favoured domestic destinations.
36% opted for international travel.
Just 1% of Baby Boomers use AI for holiday ideas.
30% use Booking.com AI trip planner.
30% of Baby Boomers still use travel brochures for holiday inspiration in 2024.
Boomers spend on average $6,600 on travel each year.
Spending 20-50% more in travel compared to Gen X or millennials.
In 2025, Baby Boomers are taking an average of 3.3 trips per year.
99% plan at least one leisure trip, and 81% travelling with a spouse or significant other.
71% of Baby Boomers agree that the Russia/Ukraine war could impact their international travel plans.
84% of Baby Boomers will use online services to book their travel.
62% will use all or most of their annual leave earned at work, versus 77% of Millennials.
They contribute 80% of all spending on luxury travel.
Smartphones are essential for 55% of Baby Boomers when travelling.
38% of this generation have a “travel bucket list”.
74% of baby Boomers prioritised travel in 2024.
In 2024, 64% of Boomers favoured domestic destinations.
36% opted for international travel.
Boomers take on average 3.3 trips a year.
Baby Boomers take the longer trips, travelling for 10.5 days on average.
99% of baby boomers plan to take at least one leisure trip a year.
81% travel with a spouse or significant other.
57% of boomers prefer vacation rentals.
60% like an eco-friendly experience.
55% like to stay in hotels.
40% of baby boomers choose cultural or educational trips when they travel.
Weekend getaways account for 12% of their domestic trips.
Baby Boomers like to travel, with a higher % opting for domestic trips. On average, between 1-2 international trips and 3-4 domestic trips were taken. This generation certainly likes to travel, but what else can these statistics tell us about travel for this generation?
The largest segment of Boomers is retired, meaning they can travel at any time of the year. They present opportunities for tour operators to attract visitors out of season. 57% of Baby Boomers considered relaxation a primary goal of their vacations, and they are conscious of sustainability. They'd like to know that the tour operators they travel with are responsible businesses. They are also more willing to pay for sustainable travel products than other consumer groups.
They spend a massive $157 billion on vacations every year.
22% of European Baby Boomers are amongst the top 25% of the wealthiest people.
Boomers spent roughly $6,450 per trip in 2024, up from $4,500 in 2023.
11% of Baby Boomers want to upgrade their accommodation and spend more on holidays in 2025.
Despite their wealth, 79% of Baby Boomers look for the best deals and value for money.
This generation spends over double the amount ($1,540) on accommodation than Millennials, however, both groups will pay more for luxury.
56% of this age bracket are willing to pay extra for a luxury trip.
30% of Baby Boomers said that they had splurged on experiences while traveling.
45% of Boomers prioritise restaurants and culinary experiences for their travel budget.
Baby Boomers allocate an average of $67 per day to dining experiences on international trips.
86% seek out local and regional cuisine when traveling.
Just 57% say that they consider budget as a factor in their trip, and many are willing to book luxury services and packages.
These baby boomers' travel statistics tell us a lot about how much money the boomer generation spends on travel and what they consider when booking a trip. They spend a massive $157 billion a year on travel and are expected to spend $2000 more than Millennials and Gen Xers this year. This demographic are definitely prepared to spend their hard-earned cash if it means that they’ll get the holiday or break they’re looking for.
With just 57% considering budget as a factor when planning trips, luxury travel is definitely an option on their list. On top of this, baby boomers spend over double the amount that Millennials do on accommodation. Regardless, a whopping 95%, like to know that they have the best possible deal before booking, suggesting that even when spending a lot on travel, they do like to save where they can.
Sources: Tiqets, Tripadvisor, Discovercorps, Cheapoair, AARP, Slingshot, Moretimetotravel, ABTA
In 2024, the top domestic travel destination for baby boomers was Florida (16%)
11% chose to visit California.
5% travelled to Las Vegas.
41% of Baby Boomers opt to travel to Europe.
29% aged 50–59; 23% in their 60s, and 18% of adults aged 70-plus want to travel to less traditional destinations.
62% of boomers travelling domestically stay in hotels and motels.
Boomers who travelled internationally preferred staying in a hotel/motel 66% of the time.
Most travelers are drawn to the Southern (38% interested) and Western (29% interested) American states.
Baby boomers make up the biggest percentage Guernsey's tourism. 61.6% of those taking breaks to Guernsey are between 40 and 65, and 25% are over 65.
87% choose to go by plane when traveling internationally.
When traveling domestically, they will use planes (66%) and personal vehicles (61%).
On average, Boomers travel 27 days a year. This is less than Gen Z and Millennials but more than Gen X.
So where do Boomers like to travel? Baby boomer travel statistics show that European countries are certainly popular, with 41% of this demographic interested in Europe for international vacations. When looking at trips in America, we can see that the southern and western states such as Florida and California are popular travel destinations. Perhaps this is in part due to the warmer weather and tourist attractions.
Planes are the most common form of transport for the majority and they also travel for 27 days a year on average, which is less than both Gen Z and Millennials but more than Gen X. We already know that many Boomers are prepared to spend more for a luxury itinerary. Although they don’t travel the most, they like to make an experience of it, with luxury activities and efficient travel.
84% of Baby Boomers use online services to book their travel.
58% still use travel agents to book their trips.
Just 36% use mobile apps to book travel.
30% use Booking.com AI trip planner.
92% of boomers use their smartphones when traveling domestically.
70% of baby boomers use the internet to research and plan their vacations.
74% of Baby Boomers like to bundle reservations and services with their hotel bookings, seeking comprehensive travel packages.
When on an international holiday, they carry their smartphones on them 52% of the time.
On domestic holidays, Boomers keep their smartphones on them 72% of the time.
Just 7% do not intend to use their smartphones on any holiday.
Boomers most commonly use smartphones for taking photos while travelling.
Of those travelling with a phone, 83% take photos on international trips, while 85% do so on domestic holidays.
Baby Boomers use online services to book travel, however, the traditional method of going to a travel agent is still popular amongst this generation.
Those between 55-75 are more likely to be seen using their phones during domestic trips rather than international trips. And, 92% bring their smartphones with them on domestic trips while just 54% do so on international trips. This demographic also keep their smartphone on them 72% of the time on domestic trips compared to just 52% of the time on international holidays. On both domestic and international trips, smartphones are most commonly used by Boomers to take photos. Just 7% don’t intend to use a smartphone on holiday at all.
78% of Boomers are members of an airline loyalty programme.
76% are members of a hotel loyalty programme.
40% are enrolled in a car hire loyalty programme.
27% are members of a cruise loyalty programme.
We already know that this generation like to plan their travel in advance and find the best deals on their trips, and one way to do this is through loyalty programmes. Airline loyalty programmes are the most popular travel-related loyalty scheme amongst this generation. Those aged 55-75 often prefer to travel via plane when taking a trip and so, 78% of Boomers are members of an airline loyalty programme. They are always on the hunt for a good hotel deal, with just over 75% of the generation being members of a hotel loyalty programme.
Sources: AARP
57% are motivated to travel to see family and friends, 48% travel to rejuvenate and relax, and 47% are motivated by getting away from everyday life.
65% of boomers say being able to try new experiences is their main motivation for traveling.
53% are interested in eating a meal with locals while travelling internationally, whereas 42% are during a domestic trip.
50% like touring with locals on an international trip, whereas just 24% are on a domestic trip.
22% of boomers are interested in staying with locals on domestic or international trips.
We have a good idea of the how and the where, but why does this generation travel and what do they like to do when they’re away? The top travel motivations for this demographic are to see family and friends, rejuvenate and relax and to get away from normal, everyday life. Compared to Boomers, Millennials and Gen Xers find more motivation and satisfying a craving for adventure.
Despite this, more Boomers are interested in eating a meal and touring with locals on an international trip than they are on a domestic trip. They are more than willing to leave behind the normal and every day to instead explore something new.
Sources: Travelagentcentral, AARP
The baby boomer generation have out-traveled every other generation according to Squaremouth.com, after a nearly 90% drop in travelers during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Just 27% of baby boomers report that COVID-19 may keep them from traveling in 2022.
82% of baby boomers planned to take between 1 to 5 trips for fun in 2022.
64% of baby boomers are the most spontaneous travelers, booking trips 1 month or less in advance.
51% of baby boomers will consider splurging on a huge trip in 2022.
27% of baby boomers say that COVID-19 fears would scare them away from traveling for leisure in 2022.
77% either feel neutral or agree that the availability of vaccinations has increased how comfortable they are with travel.
Just 11% of boomers traveled more during the pandemic, compared with 26% of Gen Zers and 25% of Millennials.
22% are more likely than Millennials to purchase travel insurance.
The biggest travel concern for baby boomers is large crowds.
All Americans agree that money is the biggest limiting factor with regard to traveling for leisure in 2022, over health and safety.
71% of baby boomers agree that the Russia/Ukraine war could impact their international travel plans.
After a 90% drop in baby boomers travelling during COVID-19, in 2022 they out-travelled every other generation, with just 27% saying Covid would stop them travelling in 2022.
Baby Boomers may be less worried about directly contracting COVID-19 because the idea of traveling “before it’s too late” is top-of-mind. Their main concern when travelling is large crowds, with contracting Covid being second to this.
Source: Htrends, Starts at 60
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