Baby Boomers
 

I am a college student researching for the specific travel needs of Baby Boomers. If you are a Baby Boomer, I would greatly appreciate if you could provide me with answers to the following short questions:<BR><BR>Q1: Disregarding budget and feasibility, what is your DREAM VACATION DESTINATION?<BR><BR>Q2: What quality does your dream destination exhibit that appeals to you (e.g. culture, nature, casinos, etc.)?<BR><BR>Thank you so much for your help!<BR><BR>Justin

I am not so sure Baby Boomers want any thing different in vacations than anyone else. What would make us to different? Just curious.

What ages are you using to define Baby Boomers for your research?

well I'm a baby boomer so I'll answer for what it's worth. I think there is some usual definition of this, something like being born between 1946 and 1964 or so (big range). <BR><BR>I do think people in different stages of their life have different vacation definitely -- you see that on here to some degree. For example, not too many baby boomers will say, &quot;can you tell me the best spot to stay for clubbing&quot;, or &quot;do you know any hostels without curfews&quot;. I definitely had a different budget when I was much younger, different tastes in roughing it, etc.<BR><BR>So, I'll answer but I'll be honest Kensington, I don't think those two simple questions are really going to tell you much about baby boomers travel needs for a variety of reasons. First, they are too simplistic. Secondly, they don't mean anything without further demographics (socioeconomic, nationality, etc). <BR>1) Paris<BR>2) excellent performing arts scene and museums, reasonable costs, good public transportation, good dining, pleasant street life (ie, outdoor cafes), and beautiful architecture and city planning.<BR><BR>IN reality, I have several favorite vacation destinations and I don't really believe in one single &quot;dream vacation&quot; destination.<BR><BR>What college course is this, anyway?

Kensington- Dream vacation- <BR>A week in St. Tropez and a month on the Amalfi Coast--all with 5 star hotels overlooking the sea....<BR><BR>Area must have fine dining,great shopping, and tons of nice friendly people---I love outdoor music,wine tastings,and culinary adventures...

Born in 1953. My dream vacation destination is somewhere in Europe where I have not been before.<BR><BR>Normandy and Brittany last September<BR><BR>Vienna, Prague, Poland and Scotland in May 2003.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>[email protected]<BR>

Dear Kensington,<BR><BR> Justin, It is my pleasure to help you. Would love to know more about your research.<BR> My DREAM VACATION: AFRICA-to quote from my friend Susan, who has also been there(although she went to east africa and I to south africa &amp; zimbabwe)&quot;I believe there is no sickness of the heart too great it cannot be cured by a dose of Africa. If I have ever seen magic, it has been in AFRICA&quot;. I DREAM OF AFRICA!!!! I must return.<BR>The quality: Nature like I've never experienced-the unspoiled Savannah-the wildlife-an environment whereupon you become one with nature;to experience the bushveld, the smells -wildlife unfolding before your eyes. The african experience is unforgettable!<BR>A pleasure to be of help.

Born in 1949...and my dream vacation would be to fly to Frankfurt and put my top ten cities in a hat and then draw the first one and head to that city and continue the process until I had visited them all.<BR><BR>No time frames and if I overlap on getting to the next city..so what!<BR><BR>Its not about being logical...its about having fun!<BR><BR>US<BR>

My dream destination doesn't exist, because it would have to be a mixture of 4 very far apart places - <BR><BR>It would be the city of Hong Kong, but with easy access to the beaches of the British Virgin Islands. It should have the Great Barrier Reef just offshore and be populated by the people of Greece!

For me it tends to be what I haven't been to, so it might change if I got there...<BR><BR>Madagascar for a month with a great nature guide

Hi:<BR><BR>Born in the late 50's.<BR><BR>My dream vacation.....<BR><BR>A many months long trip all over the South Pacific.<BR><BR>WHY?<BR>Because it is paradise and I have not had the chance to be anywhere for more that two weeks at a time.

As Christina pointed out, the official definition of Baby Boomers is everyone born in the US between 1946 and 1964. In other words, everybody between 39 and 57 years old.<BR><BR>That's a very significant chunk of the total US adult population, and it includes most people who have both the income and the health to travel freely.<BR><BR>How could such a broad, large segment of the population even *have* specific trvel needs, and how do your questions even *relate* to an inquiry about specific travel needs??

Thanks so much for the responses thus far! Please accept my apology for the generalization I proposed in my questions. I am at a very early stage of my research project hence I am merely seeking for general reoccuring themes that baby boomers seek in their travel experiences. For individuals interested in knowing the nature of my research project, I am attempting to develop a boutique hotel product that caters to the needs of baby boomers. I am a student at the Cornell Hotel School and this is part of my Hotel Development course.<BR><BR>So, based on the responses I received, I wonder if it would be fair for me to propose that most (not all) Baby Boomers seek for great CULINARY experiences when they travel. Though destinations vary from metropolitans (Paris, Hong Kong) to the country (Madagascar, South Africa), Baby Boomers want to RELAX when they travel.<BR><BR>Are food and relaxation the primary attributes Baby Boomers seek for in their travel experiences?

Justin, I would say the biggest problems Baby Boomers (or anyone over 30 for that matter) have with many of the current boutique hotels is that they are designed with style over function. Rooms LOOK great but they don't provide things like proper lighting for reading or applying makeup. The rooms are often too small &amp; feel claustrophobic. Perhaps the bed side tables are non-existant or too low. A frequent &amp; well traveled poster here, Patrick, recently described an experience in one of these hotels that was priceless. I don't remember where it was. Maybe he'll see you post.<BR><BR>The other issue is attitude. Many of the existing hotels hire staff based more on their looks than their abiity. People feel put off by staff that is too &quot;cool&quot; to provide service.<BR><BR>I think focusing on destination for this project is less important than comfort &amp; service. Food is important to travellers, but not necessarily at your hotel unless it is at a beach resort. Breakfast YES!

I was born 1950. BTW, in Finland we consider Baby Boomers are born between 1946 and 1954 = the big generation born right after WW11.<BR><BR>My dream destinations right now are a safari in eastern Africa, perhaps Tanzania. Or Namibia in south western Africa.<BR><BR>Another one is Kambodza with a lot of time in Angkor.<BR><BR>Important thinghs while travelling are: nature, food and cultural activities and atmosphere in towns. But personally for me nature is number one.<BR><BR>For hotels I try to look for small ones, with &quot;something extra&quot;. Lately I have liked &quot;agroturismo&quot; places in Spain: old farm houses, manors, small stone buildings in the middle of orange trees...

Hi Kensington,<BR> I would take the QE2, or maybe the new QM2, around the world -- twice.

Born 1963... Any tropical paradise I haven't been to yet. Amenities would include a villa with a balcony overlooking the water, a private lagoon, a 40' Hunter moored by the dock. <BR><BR>I'd be far enough away from town that my retreat would be private. I'd be close enough to town that a short ride would give me my choice of wasting the day away with the locals, strolling through the local markets, fine dining in the evening or a bit of wild fun.<BR><BR>As to the culinary question - just make sure you provide the opportunity of authentic local cuisine. My friend recently spent 10 days in Europe. She ate at McDonalds nearly every day because she was fearful of ordering &quot;the wrong thing&quot;. I'm putting her in therapy next week. *chuckle*<BR><BR>~ Sheryl... who never dines on anything on a vacation she can get at home<BR><BR>

hello - born '51 in Europe. Have been lucky enuf to visit many of the places on my wish-list in the last 15 yrs. Now would go for 6 months in S America - or similar in E Europe and the old USSR - esp the Asian republics - because I have never been there. Travelling for me is a chance to recharge the batteries - the stimulus of new places, new cultures, people, landscapes, history, and the getting around from A to B. Accommodation - as long as it's clean and safe - it's just a place to sleep. And food - the best meals are had in the most unexpected places - almost never in places with a reputation - tho that may be not be true if you spend the sort of money on one meal that would keep a family somewhere on the planet for a month.

As someone in the tail end of the baby boomers generation, I like to see special focus on whether there are in fact specific needs to my population sector. If I were you, I would first research a profile of people between the ages of 59-39 y/o. It is quite evident that the range is from people who are retiring (in huge amounts!) to people who are sending kids to college. So travel needs would range with whatever better fits that lifestyle demands. People retiring now are in much better shape physically and financially than generations prior, so retiring boomers will be more mobile and will be more likely to spend in good quality outdoor type of niceties. An heighteness awareness of national pride (and sadly heightened security) may also result in an increased national tourism, including national parks, and to fun US cities. Just some thoughts. By the way, I understand your Hotel Management program is Cornell is one of the best in the country; best of luck in all your future endeavors!!<BR><BR>Dream Vacation Destination/appeals: a place that offers history, relaxation, great food, fun locals, not crowded, great $$$ value. I've been to this place, sorry but I think I'll keep the name to myself (:-D)

Kensington, The food issue is complicated by the dream destination. If the boutique hotel were in a country or city with local cuisine other than that which I can get at home in Massachusetts, I would seldom if ever eat in the hotel. I would search out local restaurants. If it were on a desert island, I would want the hotel to provide a variety of dining options, all of high quality but varying in price and menu. <BR><BR>As a baby boomer I have many conflicting dream destinations, some for culture, some for nature, some for both.

Thank you for all the insightful responses! To summarize the topics addressed, key qualities Baby Boomers seek in their travel experiences are (sorry for the generalization!):<BR><BR>UNIQUE LOCAL CULTURE<BR>WELL-BEING (healthy food, spa treaments, etc.)<BR>CULINARY INDULGENCE<BR><BR>One last question:<BR>As a baby boomer, would a boutique hotel in PROVENCE, BALI, and HAKONE (hot springs area in Japan) appeal to you?<BR><BR>Thanks so much for all the responses - they are VERY helpful!

I'd really have to think twice about Bali right now, because of terrorist concerns. I may just be ignorant, but that's a gut concern of mine. Provence would be great, and the Hakone area looks fascinating, a combination of interesting culture, beauty and comfort. <BR><BR>What I am looking for in my travels is an &quot;experience,&quot; a combination of beauty, history, culture, and comfort. My sister and I are staying at the Hotel Eisenhut in Rothenburg this fall, lured by their &quot;Short Break in the Middle Ages&quot; package, which promised &quot;one candle-light dinner,<BR>one dinner with typical Franconian pecialities, a visit to the St. Jakobs church, entrance to the christmas museum and museum of crime and punishment, visiting the history cellars of the town hall, and a tour with the Rothenburg night-watchman. I don't know whether it's really a great value, but my sister wanted to stay at the Eisenhut anyway and the whole experience they offered pushed us over the top in spending more than we would otherwise. <BR><BR>

Since you are posting the same thing on three different boards, let me repeat my comment on your US board posting: it seems to me that you collected a great deal of information and still came out where you began: leisure and food. A lot of market researchers tend to do the same thing -- they (often unwittingly) have an image or idea of where they think the results of a test group or survey will go, and they end up ignoring any information that doesn't jive with what they were expecting to find. You got a number of very good and very generation-specific suggestions here and in the US forum -- why ignore them? I wish you luck with your project, but people went to a lot of trouble to help you out here, so go the extra mile in your assignment and really read what they're saying, not just a formula that's easy to come up with (boutique hotel in Bali....).

Born in 1962, my dream destination would be Tibet, Nepal and India because I would like the ultimate cultural experience....Hopefully my husband and I will get there before too long!!

Born '46, Around the world cruise stopping in all the countries possible is my dream vacation

Cassandra may have a point -- are you really reading everything? I wouldn't say culinary &quot;indulgence&quot; is quite it -- &quot;experience&quot; or &quot;adventure&quot; comes closer. And what about other comments? Music? Museums? Culture? natural beauty?

Such participation in this discussion - thanks for all the help!<BR><BR>In response to Cassandra's posting, I apologize for making it seems like I have disregarded your message. I have everything written down in my notes and I did find your message very interesting and helpful. My parents (baby boomers themselves) listen to music in the 70's all the time, so, believe me, I have an idea of how important it is to the baby boomer generation. The reason why I didn't further consider the idea is that I thought that it would be contradicting to have a lounge playing music in the 70's where local culture and experience is emphasized. I would appreciate any suggestions on what subtle ways are there to incorporate the music element into a hotel project.<BR><BR>In terms of room configurations, Is the major theme comfort? Nothing small and tragically hip. Correct?<BR><BR>Another attempt to summarize things baby boomers seek in their travel experiences:<BR><BR>Adventure<BR>Experience<BR>Mus ic<BR>Nature<BR>Culture<BR>Food<BR><BR>Based on these observations, is it fair to assume that MOST (not all) baby boomers prefer rural destinations (South Africa, Bali, Maldives...) to metropolitans?<BR><BR>Thanks again for the help! I appreciate the feedback!

Since your project is necessarily linked to the topic of your studies in the hotel industry, I'll try to add my thoughts to that topic.<BR><BR>My 'dream vacation' is, like it is for many, a moving target dictated by past experiences. I have probably 20 such trips I would love to take. If I could quit work and take them back to back, I'd probably sell the house.<BR><BR>What I'm looking for is entirely dependant upon the reason a particular destination calls to me. I am looking for 'authenticity' and 'variety'. I don't want an experience that is tailored to my demographic. My next major trip is likely to be Italy. I hope Rome to be Rome. I want the Tuscan countryside to be what it is. If that's relaxing, then great. If it is hectic and vibrant, then I will try to experience that for what it is. I don't wish to insulate myself to a packaged environment. I hope that makes sense.<BR><BR>In a hotel, my nod (and budget) goes to those who also adapt to the local environment. One that maximizes an exisiting unique structure, for instance, would be high on my list. I rarely expect a hotel to supply the entire experience. I am much more likely to look for various places outside of the hotel for dining.

Hard to pick a single destination as a &quot;dream vacation.&quot; I will say that my last one, Switzerland/Italy in August, came as close to perfect as possible for several reasons...<BR><BR>1. It struck the perfect balance between beautiful, unspoiled non-touristy areas (nature trails, little villages, etc.) and overtly-touristic-but-darned-convenient locations (Luzern, Grindelwald, Bellagio).<BR><BR>2. More than one flavor. In just a short time and a small area, we got to sample 3 distinct and enjoyable cultures for the price of 1 trip.<BR><BR>3. Scenic splendor is always a plus, and nothing beats the Berner Oberland on this account.<BR><BR>4. Interesting old places (like Gruyere castle) are always a plus, too.<BR><BR>5. Food! If you can't eat well in Switzerland and Northern Italy, there's something wrong with you.<BR><BR>6. Excellent selection of mid-priced accomodations in great locations...bang for the buck, baby!<BR><BR> ~ Mr. Go (born in '63)

OK, what do I think about a boutique hotel in those three places. <BR><BR>Hakone, yes, definitely. But in Japan I would prefer a traditional Japanese ryokan. Hotel would have to have a definite Japanese air. Old Kyoto would be great, too.<BR><BR>Provence, yes, why not.<BR><BR>Bali, no. Not because of the terrorist strike, but because Bali is already full of great private villas with gardens. There you even get your own cook and maid.<BR><BR>&quot;In terms of room configurations, Is the<BR>major theme comfort? Nothing small and<BR>tragically hip. Correct?&quot;<BR><BR>Well, not in my case. My priorities are charm, beauty, and personality. Lika a tiny 5-room hotel in western Mallorca. There were those five rooms, a living room with a fireplace, small kitchen and a big diningroom. All rooms different with old furniture, beautiful flower arrangements, candles burning, soft classical music and so on. And a small terrace overlooking flowering orange trees.<BR><BR>No staff in the evenings, and everything in the fridge was yours to take.

I am a BB. My husband is a BB, who just retired at 55. We moved to Florida from Atlanta, and we are empty nesters too. Dream trip is coming soon in May...French Riviera, Italian Riviera and the Lake district. Another dream trip, motoring around the UK for about a month. <BR>We look for culture, history, decent dining and love to hike and walk. Yes. we would do a boutique hotel in Provence. We used to like tropical vacations with diving, but since moving to Florida , with a semi-tropical climate, we have no need of that type of Vacation anymore. We are pretty active people. I don't care for cruises, but would like to do one only to Alaska. FYI, Judy

Sorry, with the term &quot;boutique hotel&quot; you lost me right off the batt! Just not my style. I don't care about &quot;cuisine&quot; either, rather experience whatever is being served in local joints, bars, cafes, street corners, farmers markets.<BR><BR>Two kinds of dream vacations for me: 1) anywhere with sun, palm trees, sand, ocean 2) western Europe. <BR><BR>Fodors gives you a certain financial and philosophical strata of the population. If you asked this question on Lonely Planet BB, you'd get totally different answers.<BR><BR>Also important if people are working or retired, straight or gay, single or divorced, married no kids, married kids home, married kids raised, single parents, etc. as to what they are looking for. More than simply your &quot;generation&quot; or age group.

I'm a Baby Boomer, born in '46. My dream vacation would always include cities for the culture and cuisine and, if possible, a foray into outlying areas for the more &quot;authentic&quot;, not so cosmopolitan, experience. Rural areas give balance to a trip, but are never the first focus of my trips.

Kensignton, This is a college research project and I don't believe you have defined the specific birth years of a Baby Boomer. Two posters have said 1946 thru 1964. I have always heard that it is the ten years following the end of WWII...1945 thru 1955. Can you please tell us which years are correct?

I think Kensington should have defined it in terms of what HE wants it to mean. I studied demography in grad school, and officially in the US, by demographers/sociologists, it is cited as 1946-64 in the US, at least. Here is one website that states that period and you can see what happened your birth year, it's kind of fun:<BR>http://www.babyboomers.com/yrindex.htm<BR>The reason for that designated time period is because the birth rate was so much higher than usual (why it was called a &quot;boom&quot;), and that continued until 1965. In 1946, births in the US increased 20% over 1945 and they didn't peak until 1961. They dropped significantly in 1965, which is why 1964 is marked as the end point. This pattern could have been different in other countries, I don't know.<BR><BR>Anyway, Justin, I don't agree with your conclusions in terms of what most baby boomers want--mainly a rural destination, etc. I think you might want to think about what Cassandra said, it sounds like you already know what you want to propose. YOu just can't make such broad statements -- baby boomers mainly prefer a rural area, and some exceptional cuisine, etc.<BR><BR>What you are doing is mainly talking about socioeconomic status, NOT age group. I know plenty of 20s-30s who go for what you are proposing (upscale resorts, spas, boutique hotels, etc) and many many people who are baby boomers who do NOT. Of course it depends on the type of vacation you want, different things at different times.<BR><BR>I think you should take ownership of this project from your professor (if that is his/her assignment) and DEFINE a narrower target that you want to market or design a hotel for. Keep the baby boomer if that is a requirement, but add some other facts (income level, residence location, stage in life, etc). I think a developer or financier would want a lot more specific marketing plan. It sounds like you want baby boomer, upper income, college-educated, American residency. I used to work in marketing research (that demographic degree came in useful) and would suggest you look at the web site of Claritas as an overview to these concepts. They do a lot of marketing segmentation and have catchy names for various segments. Here is their European travel and leisure section, it might give you some ideas:<BR>http://www.claritas-europe.com/europ...ravel_leisure/ <BR><BR>