Resonance's 2015 Portrait of the U.S. Retiree Traveler analyzes responses from 1,147 U.S. retiree travelers to help us better understand the travel and accommodation preferences and trends of America's fastest growing demographic.

1. 1 | Introduction
©2016ResonanceConsultancyLtd.
2015
PORTRAIT OF
THE U.S. RETIREE
TRAVELER

2. ©2016ResonanceConsultancyLtd.
2 | About Resonance
ABOUT RESONANCE
RESONANCE CONSULTANCY CREATES DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES,
PLANS, POLICIES AND BRANDS THAT SHAPE THE FUTURE OF
PEOPLE, COMMUNITIES AND DESTINATIONS AROUND THE WORLD.
The Portrait of the U.S. Retiree Traveler describes
current desires and speculates on future trends
of U.S. retiree travelers based on a survey of
1,147 travelers aged 65 and over in the U.S.

3. ©2016ResonanceConsultancyLtd.
3 | About Resonance
RECENT REPORTS
• 2016 FUTURE OF CHINESE INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL REPORT
• 2016 U.S. LUXURY TRAVEL REPORT
• 2015 PORTRAIT OF THE U.S. MILLENNIAL TRAVELER
• 2015 RECREATIONAL REAL ESTATE REPORT
• 2015 EUROPEAN PLACE EQUITY INDEX
• 2015 U.S. PLACE EQUITY INDEX

4. ©2016ResonanceConsultancyLtd.
4 | Portrait of the U.S. Retiree Traveler
Introduction
Demographics
Destination Decision Factors
Activities on Vaction
Accommodation Usage and Preferences
05
07
10
13
16
CONTENTS

5. ©2016ResonanceConsultancyLtd.
5 | Portrait of the U.S. Retiree Traveler
INTRODUCTION

6. 6 | Introduction
©2016ResonanceConsultancyLtd.
TRAVELERS AGED 65+ ARE MOST LIKELY TO VIEW
RETIREMENT AS A TIME TO TRAVEL AND EXPLORE
NEW PLACES. WOMEN ARE MORE LIKELY TO VIEW
RETIREMENT AS A TIME TO EXPLORE DIFFERENT
INTERESTS. MEN ARE MORE LIKELY TO FEEL IT IS
A TIME TO MAKE DO WITH WHAT THEY HAVE.
Gender Net Worth
Male Female <$250K $250-$999K $1 Million+
(n=598) (n=549) (n=319) (n=445) (n=279)
A time to travel and explore new places 64% 67% 59% 68% 71%
A time to slow down and enjoy life 65% 64% 66% 65% 62%
More time to spend with family and friends 53% 57% 52% 56% 59%
A time to explore different interests 49% 57% 48% 56% 54%
A time to volunteer with organizations/causes I care about 31% 38% 33% 35% 36%
A time to live my dreams 29% 27% 23% 30% 31%
A time to make do with what I have 28% 21% 29% 26% 17%
A time to continue working/living as always 11% 13% 10% 12% 13%
A time to start a new business 2% 2% 4% 2% 1%
Base: All respondents (n=1,147)
D5. Which statements best define ‘retirement’ for you?
DEFINITION OF RETIREMENT
Statistically significantly higher than comparison group(s)

7. ©2016ResonanceConsultancyLtd.
7 | Portrait of the U.S. Retiree Traveler
DEMOGRAPHICS

8. 8 | Demographics
©2016ResonanceConsultancyLtd.
COMPARED TO ALL TRAVELERS, TRAVELERS
AGED 65+ ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE WOMEN
AND HAVE LOWER HOUSEHOLD INCOMES.
GENDER HOUSEHOLD INCOME
$35K to $49K
$50K to $99K
$100K to $199K
$200K+
44%
49%
MALE
NET WORTH
56%
51%
FEMALE
PRIMARY RESIDENCE
65+ Travelers (n=1,147)
Own home/
apartment
Rent home/
apartment
Live with parents
Other
Statistically significantly higher than comparison group(s)
Total Travelers (n=3,379)
Statistically significantly lower than comparison group(s)

9. 9 | Demographics
©2016ResonanceConsultancyLtd.
THE AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD SIZE FOR 65+
TRAVELERS IS 2.0, WITH THREE-QUARTERS WHO
ARE MARRIED AND THE VAST MAJORITY WITH
NO KIDS IN THE HOUSEHOLD.
MARITAL STATUS REGION
Married
Single
Common law
Divorced/separated
Widowed
Children
3%
No children
97%
65+ Travelers (n=1,147)
AVERAGE
SIZE
2.0
Base: All respondents (n=1,147)
22%
36%
19%
23%
HOUSEHOLD SIZE CHILDREN IN HOUSEHOLD
1
2
3-4
5+
Under 6 years
6 to 8 years
9 to 12 years
13 to 17 years

10. ©2016ResonanceConsultancyLtd.
10 | Portrait of the U.S. Retiree Traveler
DESTINATION
DECISION
FACTORS

11. 11 | Destination Decision Factors
©2016ResonanceConsultancyLtd.
Gender Net Worth Vacation Spend
Male Female <$250K $250-$999K $1 Million+ <$500 $501-$1,500 $1,500+
(n=598) (n=549) (n=319) (n=445) (n=279) (n=273) (n=515) (n=359)
Visit to a major metropolitan city 32% 33% 27% 32% 39% 24% 33% 39%
Vacation with friends 28% 31% 28% 31% 30% 26% 31% 31%
Cruise 29% 28% 22% 27% 37% 11% 26% 46%
Visit to a beach resort 31% 26% 24% 29% 33% 22% 30% 31%
Multi-generational vacation 18% 23% 20% 21% 23% 23% 24% 15%
Quiet countryside holiday 15% 13% 18% 13% 13% 19% 13% 13%
Visit to a mountain resort 13% 9% 10% 12% 10% 10% 12% 9%
Family vacation with kids 11% 9% 9% 11% 11% 11% 11% 7%
Combining business trip with
leisure vacation
4% 4% 2% 4% 8% 4% 5% 3%
Other 22% 24% 26% 22% 22% 26% 21% 24%
AMONG 65+ TRAVELERS, VISITS TO MAJOR
METROPOLITAN CITIES, VACATIONS WITH
FRIENDS, CRUISES AND BEACH RESORTS
ARE THE TOP VACATION TYPES.
TYPES OF FUTURE VACATIONS
Base: All respondents (1,147)
A6. What types of vacations will you take in the next 12 – 24 months? Statistically significantly higher than comparison group(s)

12. 12 | Destination Decision Factors
©2016ResonanceConsultancyLtd.
Mean
Safety 8.5
Favorable climate/weather 8.1
English spoken 7.5
Cost 7.8
U.S. currency accepted 6.9
Scenery and nature 7.6
Easily accessible by commercial flights 6.6
Opportunities to learn something new 7.0
Can drive to 5.7
Good cultural attractions 6.6
Passport not required to visit 4.7
SAFETY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR
WHEN 65+ TRAVELERS DECIDE ON A VACATION
DESTINATION, FOLLOWED BY FAVORABLE
CLIMATE, ENGLISH SPOKEN AND COST.
KEY DECISION FACTORS WHEN DECIDING ON A VACATION DESTINATION
Base: All respondents (n=1,147)
A7. On a scale of 1-10, what are the most important factors you take into account when deciding on
a vacation destination, with 1 being not important at all and 10 being extremely important?
10 – Extremely important 9 – Very important

13. ©2016ResonanceConsultancyLtd.
13 | Portrait of the U.S. Retiree Traveler
ACTIVITIES
ON VACATION

14. 14 | Activities on Vacation
©2016ResonanceConsultancyLtd.
DINING, SIGHTSEEING AND LEARNING
NEW THINGS ARE THE TOP ACTIVITIES
WHILE ON VACATION.

15. 15 | Activities on Vacation
©2016ResonanceConsultancyLtd.
65+ TRAVELERS VISIT
HISTORIC SIGHTS, BOTANICAL
GARDENS AND THEY GO
TO SEE PLAYS MORE THAN
GENERAL TRAVELERS.

16. ©2016ResonanceConsultancyLtd.
16 | Portrait of the U.S. Retiree Traveler
ACCOMMODATION
USAGE &
PREFERENCES

17. 17 | Accommodations Usage & Preferences
©2016ResonanceConsultancyLtd.
FULL SERVICE HOTELS, STAYING
WITH FRIENDS AND CRUISE
SHIPS ARE MOST POPULAR
AMONG 65+ TRAVELERS.

18. 18 | Accommodations Usage & Preferences
©2016ResonanceConsultancyLtd.
Mean
Free Internet access 7.9
Privacy 7.8
Walking distance to shopping/restaurants 7.3
Hotel restaurant 6.8
Proximity to must-see attractions 7.0
Beach 6.0
Swimming pool 5.7
Within walking distance of public transportation 6.0
Suites with kitchenettes 5.7
Unique activities/experiences 6.1
All-inclusive packages 5.5
Casino 4.3
Walking trails 5.4
Lobby lounge and bar 4.8
LIKE ALL TRAVELERS, FREE INTERNET ACCESS
IS THE MOST DESIRABLE HOTEL AMENITY
AMONG 65+ TRAVELERS, FOLLOWED BY PRIVACY.
DESIRABLE HOTEL AMENITIES
Base: All respondents (n=1,147)
A12. On a scale of 1-10, rate the desirability of each of the following features and amenities when choosing a place to stay on your vacation,
with 1 being “not desirable” and 10 being “very desirable.”
10 – Extremely important 9 – Very important

19. 19 | Accommodations Usage & Preferences
©2016ResonanceConsultancyLtd.
WYNDHAM AND SHERATON
ARE TOP CHOICES OF HOTELS
AMONG 65+ TRAVELERS.

20. The Resonance Report is produced for general interest only; it is not definitive. It must not be relied upon in any way. Although high standards have been used in the preparation of the information and analysis
presented in this report, no responsibility or liability whatsoever can be accepted by Resonance Consultancy Ltd. for any loss or damage resultant from any use of, reliance on, or reference to the contents of this
document. We make no express or implied guarantee of its accuracy. Please be advised that your use of The Resonance Report document constitutes your agreement to (i) use the content under a limited license
only for your own internal purposes, and (ii) not disclose, publish or otherwise make public or provide the content, in whole or in part, to any third person or entity without the prior written consent of Resonance
Consultancy Ltd. The content is and remains at all times the exclusive intellectual property of Resonance Consultancy Ltd. Copyright © 2016 Resonance Consultancy Ltd.
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