The new era of senior travel

People are living longer than ever before – and not just longer, but healthier too. Since 1960, global life expectancy has climbed by nearly 40%, thanks to advances in healthcare and better management of chronic illnesses. For many retirees and semi-retirees, that means more energy, greater independence, and the chance to do more of what they love.

Older adults today are also, on average, better off than previous generations at the same age. And one of the most popular ways they’re making the most of this stage in life? Packing their bags and heading out to explore.

“In South Africa and around the world, older adults are rewriting the retirement rulebook and quietly reshaping the travel landscape,” notes Shaun Lamont, managing director of First Group Hotels and Resorts. “For a growing number, retirement isn’t about slowing down; it’s about starting fresh: discovering new places, meeting new people, and enjoying experiences that truly matter”.

Today’s mature travellers have a distinctly different mindset and are making choices that would have been unthinkable for previous generations. Research shows they’re not just travelling more – they’re travelling with intent.

“The old playbook for senior travel has been torn up,” says Lamont, who offers a closer look at six key trends shaping the travel landscape for the 60+ generation in the 2020s.

1. Three-generation travel
Multigenerational travel is becoming a feature of South African holidays. With 86% of families now including grandparents in their travel plans, the older adults are often the ones initiating and organising these shared experiences – choosing travel that strengthens family bonds and creates lasting memories.

2. Stretching the stay
South African seniors now average over 16 travel days per trip, with many opting for extended stays that allow time to explore, absorb, and relax. Holidays in the past often revolved around the calendar of young families: short breaks, convenient destinations, and kid-friendly choices. Now, they’re able to travel on their own terms, heading to places they’ve long wanted to see or that have special meaning.

3. More than sightseeing
There’s a growing pull toward experiences that support well-being and offer a deeper sense of connection. With fewer constraints and more flexibility, retirees are choosing experiences that are enriching. Whether it’s a wellness-focused escape or a heritage-rich journey, the shift is clear – they want more than just a change of scenery. Their travels reflect their values: whether that’s learning something new, supporting local communities, or simply finding joy in unfamiliar places.

4. Social bonding
In a country where social isolation among seniors is a growing concern, travel is emerging as a powerful antidote. Group tours and shared experiences offer more than entertainment; they create opportunities for meaningful connection.

5. Following the seasons, thoughtfully
Some older South Africans are taking to seasonal travel for comfort and wellbeing. Chasing cooler coastal breezes or avoiding winter chills with longer stays, they’re simply choosing to live well, all-year round.

6. Going the distance to connect

Family connections are also becoming a major travel motivator for South Africans. With emigration splitting families across continents, many parents are becoming frequent travellers, turning what used to be once-in-a-lifetime trips into essential relationship maintenance. These international trips help them to stay involved in their children’s lives and build relationships with grandchildren they might otherwise only know through video calls. Plus, they get to see some sights along the way.

“Today’s over-60s are not the seniors of previous generations,” Lamont reflects. “They’re redefining what later life looks like and choosing holidays that create lasting, magical memories that stay with them well beyond the journey itself,” he concludes.