Leisure and entertainment are major reasons for travel. Seventeen percent is for entertainment purposes and just 7 percent is for outdoor recreation. Participation in most trip activities by mature travelers has remained fairly consistent since 1994. The exception is gambling, which is now included on 11 percent of all mature trips, up from 9 percent. On the other hand, shopping decreased to 29 percent from 31 percent and engaging in outdoor activities decreased to 11 percent from 13 percent.
Retirement provides major opportunity for travel.
Trips by retired Matures are more likely to be by car, bus or RV and their trips are somewhat longer in duration than those by employed Matures. Oldest-old biggest travelers. Impressive stats for what some businesses erroneously call America's slowest moving age group. See related articles in the AgeVenture archives. Elders, especially those who are frail or disabled, appear to be better off when living in the company of their adult children.