Publication: The older traveller

Bauer, I.L. (2016) The older traveller. In: Baker, L., Brink, G.K., Lipschitz, S., and Marcolongo, T., (eds.) The Older Traveller: a guide for the health professional. South African Society of Travel Medicine, Green Stone, South Africa, pp. 1-9.

http://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/46141/

Abstract

[Extract] The world's ageing population and the increasing number of older travellers have important implications, especially for health professionals.

According to senior population projections and international travel trends, more older people will travel over the next 15 years. In 2015, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs projected a world population of over 9.7 billion by 2050 with almost a quarter (approximately 2 billion) over the age of 60.1 Likewise, the World Tourism Organization anticipates the number of international travellers to reach 1.8 billion by 2030.2

A growing number of older people are in much better, or better maintained, health and mentally and physically more active. With ample time, comfortable means, and perhaps a much milder inclination to 'leave it all to the kids', older people can fill their years with an array of activities including travel.