The new 60s is the old 40s for retired people in the city who are ready to explore places abroad
Gone are the days when retirement meant making trips to Kashi, Mathura or Haridwar. Turkey, Thailand, Cambodia, and Bali are the newest hotspots for oldies.
Tourism enthusiasts say upcoming destinations abroad are attracting the retired folks in the city as much as they tend to impress the younger crowd.
“I get regular calls from people well in their 60s who want to travel around the globe. The best thing is they want to explore places which are not your typical tourist destination,” says Ashwin Narayanan, COO, Travel Tours Group. According to him, a group of retired people who returned from Greece couple of weeks back, have already started planning their next holiday in South America.
Ravi Nair, 64-year-old retired Naval officer, makes sure he travels to a new locale every year. “Though I would love to travel with my children in a group, it is not always possible since they have their own schedule. They have their office, kids’ school and it is often difficult to coordinate,” says Nair who returned from a 10-day trip to Turkey.
“It was difficult to travel when my husband was working as we had many responsibilities. Now, when our kids are settled, it is best to travel to places we always dreamt of during our younger days,” says Madhu Nair, wife of Ravi Nair.
Sudhakar Kaushik, retired banker, gets in touch with people of his age in his neighbourhood and plans trips abroad for them. “I try and get discounts from my travel agents. It is always better to travel in a group where you know people. As long as health permits, I will encourage everyone to travel rather than sitting at home doing nothing,” Kaushik says adding that he plans a trip to Bali in October along with his friends.
According to HolidayIQ, a travel and holiday information portal, Singapore, Nepal. Thailand and Australia are some of the locations abroad that are preferred by retired people.
“There is a perception that old people love to travel only to religious places. I am spiritual, but I do not mind adding a bit of fun element in my life by going for the Alcazar show in Thailand or visiting the beaches in Sri Lanka,” says Pushpa Ghosh, a 66-year-old widow.
Ghosh has already planned her trip to Australia for Christmas along with five of her friends. “We have only one life to enjoy. I am very attached to my kids, but I realized they also have their own personal things to do just as we had when we were young. Depending on them would be unfair. Hence, till the time I am healthy and have the enthusiasm, I will travel. Also, when you have people of your own age, travel seems all the more fun,” she says.
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