Mr. Li, a citizen, signed up for a group tour organized by a travel agency, but was told that he could not join the tour before departure on the grounds that he was too old. After complaining and negotiating, he was eventually able to join the group, but the experience was still an ageist experience for him. The "Travel Agency Elderly Tourism Service Specification" does not limit the age of tourists, but the reporter found that travel agencies will still set their own age or other thresholds. Some tour guides say they generally recommend that people around the age of 75 join the tour, but also ask for a medical report to ensure safety. Some products on travel platforms also have age restrictions, such as those over 70 years old who need to be accompanied by young relatives and friends. Some travel agency sales also say they can accommodate visitors over the age of 65, but they need to have an escort. Visitors over the age of 70 need to report because the tour guide may not be able to take care of the tour because the itinerary is long and there are many tourists. In addition, they also do not welcome seniors to sign up for tours during the Chinese New Year.
Overall, although the Regulations for Elderly Travel Services for Travel Agencies do not set an age limit, travel agencies and travel platforms may still set their own age or other thresholds for various reasons. For seniors, in order to be able to travel more happily and smoothly, they can choose an itinerary that suits them and understand the requirements and restrictions of travel agencies or travel platforms in advance. In addition, seniors can also choose to travel with family and friends, which not only increases the sense of security, but also shares the joy of traveling together. Recently, ** reported on the age limit of travel platforms for the elderly. In interviews, some travel platforms said that to participate in regular large group tours, seniors over 70 years old must be accompanied by young relatives and friends, while small tour groups specially tailored for the elderly also have an upper age limit of 73 years old for solo travel. In addition, some peripheral tours and day trip products also require 60 years of age or older to be accompanied.
For travel agencies, the physical condition of the elderly is generally not as good as that of young people, and the probability of accidents or sudden diseases is greater during the journey, so there are certain safety risks and responsibilities for the elderly to travel in groups. However, some seniors believe that age and physical condition are not entirely correlated, and that it is not reasonable for travel agencies to set age limits across the board. They believe that it is important to have a proper assessment of their health. Travel agencies make age or other relevant restrictions on the elderly to sign up for group tours, on the one hand, to take into account the safety risks of the elderly, and on the other hand, it is also related to the fact that insurance companies do not have corresponding insurance products to resolve and reduce such risks. In addition, travel agencies will also take into account the spending power, willingness and consumption habits of the elderly, and will not be willing to receive them if they find it difficult to benefit from them. As the main body of the market, travel agencies have the right to choose their own service objects.
Although some seniors think that travel agencies should not set restrictions, in fact, the services of travel agencies are not basic services, and they can choose whether to accept the elderly according to their own judgment and interests. In general, there is some reason for travel agencies to make age limits for seniors, but there are also individual differences and self-assessments of older people. At the same time, insurance companies should also develop insurance products that are suitable for the elderly to reduce travel risks. How to promote the healthy development of the elderly tourism market? With the acceleration of China's aging society, the elderly tourism market is gradually becoming a huge potential market. However, there are still some problems in China's tourism market for the elderly, such as the lack of tourism products suitable for the elderly, the facilities are not friendly enough, and the protection of consumer rights and interests is not perfect. In order to promote the healthy development of the elderly tourism market, we need to start from many aspects. First of all, we should develop tourism products that are suitable for the elderly.
The physical condition of the elderly is relatively weak, so they need more care and attention during the tour. Tourism enterprises should develop some relaxed and comfortable tourism routes, such as cultural tours, health tours, etc., to meet the needs of the elderly for tourism. At the same time, some facilities suitable for the elderly, such as ramps, handrails, etc., can also be introduced to provide a better tourism environment. Second, we should pay attention to the protection of the consumer rights and interests of the elderly. As tourism consumers, the rights and interests of the elderly should be fully protected. Tourism enterprises should strengthen the supervision of service quality, improve service levels, and ensure that the legitimate rights and interests of the elderly are protected. At the same time, we should also strengthen the supervision of the tourism market for the elderly, formulate relevant regulations, strengthen law enforcement, and safeguard the consumer rights and interests of the elderly. In addition, we should also raise the insurance awareness of the elderly. Before the elderly travel, they should make a reasonable assessment of their physical condition and choose a reputable travel agency and regular tourism products.
At the same time, they should also purchase appropriate accident insurance to cover unexpected situations. Insurers should also provide more flexible and comprehensive insurance products for seniors to meet their needs. In short, promoting the healthy development of the elderly tourism market is a complex system project, which requires multifaceted efforts. We should develop tourism products suitable for the elderly, introduce facilities suitable for the elderly, attach importance to the protection of the consumer rights and interests of the elderly, and improve the insurance awareness of the elderly. Only in this way can we make the tourism market for the elderly truly healthy and healthy, so that the elderly can enjoy more happiness and well-being.