Travel: Online Bargains for Over-50s

Online shopping, music downloads, mobile phones, Playstations - the preserve of today's youth, or the new toys of the increasingly technologically minded over-50s?"

Research from Saga has shown that rather than being scared of multi-media developments, today's over-50s are embracing technology, writes Paul Groves.

It spoke to 1,000 people aged 50 and findings revealed that 27 per cent of people aged 50 and over buy goods online' more than one-third (37 per cent) regularly send text messages, and almost a quarter (24 per cent) admit to spending time on games consoles such as Playstation or XBox.

In response to the growing numbers of internet users, Saga has launched its own online travel shop, available at SAGAtravelshop.com.

This one-stop travel and leisure shop for older people will feature deals on flights, hotels, car hire and many other travel and leisure products.

"Flexibility is the key for many of today's over 50s and through SAGAtravelshop.com, they can now build their own holidays, from a short break in New York, to a round the world cruise on one of Saga's own cruise ships," explained Andrew Goodsell, chief executive of the Saga Group.

For those looking for something a little closer to home, the website can provide great value tickets for theatres, concerts and sporting events.

Being in your 50s doesn't mean the end to adventure, so the website has an area for the more adventurous traveller, with "experience" packages, offering the chance to learn to fly, drive a tank or dive with sharks.

For gourmets, there is an online restaurant reservations and special meal offers section currently in development for imminent launch.

Internet use among the over-55 age group has experienced an increase of over 50 per cent in a year, growing from 2.9 million in 2004, to 4.4 million in 2005.

Source: The Birmingham Post