Age Concern Enterprises has reported a big surge in sales of its annual worldwide travel insurance during 2009. Despite the recession there was record take-up of both annual European and worldwide multi-trip policies, with the fastest year-on-year growth in the 65 to 74 and 75 to 87 age groups.

Roger Allard, Chairman of All Leisure Group is not surprised by the findings: “The over 65s market is becoming increasingly adventurous in its taste. Voyages of Discovery has responded to customer demand by launching cruises and grand voyages to Latin America and the Caribbean visiting destinations such as the Amazon, the Orinoco, Falklands, Cuba with opportunities to visit the extraordinary Galapagos Islands during Winter 10/11. As a result of listening to our customers, we have been rewarded by impressive sales figures in 2010.”

While a key trend in cruising is to create ever larger ships, Voyages of Discovery with the 650-passenger Discovery, has been able to capitalise on a grey market that is shunning casinos and cabaret shows for more time spent ashore and with expert guest speakers for a more enriching experience. The ‘niche’ market for small ship cultural cruising is growing steadily as customers want exciting, unusual destinations and smaller ports which larger ships simply can not visit.

Joe Young, from Age Concern Insurance Services, comments: “Over-65s are as likely to be travelling the world as younger generations as they search for ways to bring excitement to retirement… As the population ages, we predict a travel boom which will see even more mature people exploring far-flung destinations.”

The impressive sales of Voyages of Discovery’s ‘Grand South American Discovery’, a 79 day complete circumnavigation of South America certainly seems to support this view.