Retire. Rocking chair. Rest in peace.
That was the old order of things for those we call seniors.
Today? It’s a whole new world. Seniors aren’t just spectators; they are part of the action.
The definition of a senior?
AARP, an organization that advocates for more than 100 million seniors, opens membership to those 50 years and older. The federal government uses 65 as a marker, while others insist that it is 60 (which they say is the new 40). Ask a senior and he/she might say, “anyone 10 years older than me.”
Whatever the definition, demographics indicate that people are living longer, are more active and travel more than earlier generations. Some statistics:
- Nearly 4 in 10 travelers in 2023 were 60 years and older.
- More than half of those aged 50-plus rank travel at the top of their discretionary-income list.
- In 2024, nearly half of those 50 years and older said they want to return to normal leisure travel after COVID-19, compared to just 8% in 2023.
- In 2024, about 2 in 3 adults aged 50 and over report wanting to take a bucket-list trip, 24% more than before the pandemic.
While the COVID-19 pandemic put a damper on travel for all age groups, seniors were particularly reluctant to pack their suitcases. No one knows that better than Road Scholar, a cleverly named nonprofit that offers adventures or “programs” for seniors in 150-plus countries.
Founded in 1975 as Elderhostel (220 participants that year), the organization changed its name to Road Scholar in 2010 to appeal to baby boomers. Average age of current participants: 72.
During the COVID-19 years, program enrollment dropped from almost 116,000 in 2019 to 17,200 in 2020. That number bounced back to 93,400-plus bookings by 80,587 individuals in 2024, according to Kelsey Knoedler Perri, director of public relations.
“We’ve not yet recovered to pre-COVID numbers,” she said, “but we’re also now serving another 40,000 people per year with our Road Scholar at Home online programs.”
Many Road Scholar travelers, like Jerry and Pat Rugg of Oceanside, are repeat customers.
Both 73, they’ve participated in 10 Road Scholar programs, including a cycling adventure along the Katy Trail in Missouri: a multisport program in the Black Hills of South Dakota; a five-week “train trek” across Australia; and in 2024, a visit to Sault Ste. Marie and Mackinac Island in Michigan.
Four trips — the Grand Canyon, Key Largo, New York and the Channel Islands — included grandchildren. Pat also joined a bicycle trip through St. Simons and Jekyll islands off the Georgia coast with three girlfriends in 2006.
“That was my first exposure to Road Scholar,” she said. “The trip was reasonably priced for group travel and they take care of everything. We had great guides and the activities were well planned.”
Jerry is a retired civil engineer from the railroad industry; Pat worked in education and the dental field. They favor Road Scholar programs because “they tend to have smaller groups — less than 30,” Jerry said. “We found it to be more value for what you pay.”
The learning element is important, too.
“All Road Scholar programs stress learning, often with lectures by local professors or experts,” Pat added. “You’re always with lifelong learners. Some tour companies emphasize shopping and fancy restaurants, but Road Scholar focuses on the learning.”
Frank and Eileen Hermansen of Vista (full disclosure: They are neighbors) traveled with Road Scholar to Italy and Spain after learning about the organization from relatives.
“The small groups provide a much more intimate feeling,” said Eileen, a retired honors teacher and assistant principal at Rancho Buena Vista High School, “and both tour leaders (responsible for making the itinerary run smoothly) were wonderful and knowledgeable women. We made friends with them and are still in contact.”
The Hermansens initially were unsure about attending daily lectures, but found “we actually loved this aspect of the tours,” said Frank, retired from medical/surgical sales and management recruiting. “The speakers were experts in their fields and we learned so much before each day’s visit. (The lectures) gave us insights that ‘just viewing’ never would have.”
