SEATTLE — A new survey reveals that many seniors have travel on their “bucket list.”
Many of them want to use technology to make their travels easier, but they also fear that someone will misuse it.
More than 60% of adults age 50 and older plan to travel in 2024, according to a new study from AARP.
“The good news is that many older adults are traveling. More than 90% use some technology and say they feel some level of comfort, but there are also some real gaps. We found it,” said Tom Cumber, Executive Director of Aging. AARP’s Technology Services (OATS).
Kamber said some older travelers are hesitant to use digital travel tools.
“They’re concerned about whether it’s safe to use, especially during the planning, booking, and actually going on the trip,” Kamber said.
The survey found that 88% of older travelers are aware of mobile boarding passes, but only 30% use them instead of paper copies. About half of those surveyed are also interested in using AI to personalize their trips.
“We found that older adults were not using price comparison sites like Kayak, Expedia or TripAdvisor to make reservations,” Kamber said.
Expert tips for using technology that can save you time and money:
Download the app before your trip. Don’t forget to use a package tracking tool like AirTags. Create an itinerary that everyone on your trip can review and share.
“Make sure someone on your return knows in real time where you are going and what your contact information is. Thanks to technology, we can stay connected and safe throughout the trip. We can now really take advantage of the communication elements that keep us going,” Kamber said.
