Over-50s ‘paying more for travel online’
Older people may be paying over the odds for travel products such as hotels booked online despite being the fastest growing group of internet users, price comparison website travelsupermarket.com warns.
Recently released statistics showing that those in the 50-64 age group spend nearly twice as much on package holidays as under 30s could in part be due to users not being aware of the best deals, according to the company’s hotels channels manager Alexis Garrick.
“The over-50s age group is notorious for its company loyalty, which is understandable if they have received good service. However, they may miss out on better deals and room rates if they only book with the travel website they know well,” she said.
“At the same time, trawling through numerous websites can be extremely time consuming, so that’s where a price comparison site comes in, as it presents a large selection of travel companies in one search.”
Figures from the Office for National Statistics showed that those in the 50-64 age group spend on average £17 a week on package holidays, compared to just £8.60 for those under 30. The national average is £12.10.
This is up from just £14.20 in 2002-2003, while the amount for those under 30 remained similar at £8.30. With the huge rise in online use for the over-50s, there is a possibility that the increase in expenditure is not just due to demanding more upmarket hotels, travelsupermarket.com claims.
Report by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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