I’m a baby boomer so I have a natural interest in this group. However, there are reasons why a whole lot of other people should be interested in this population. They have driven the U.S. economy for many years and will continue to do so in various fields for at least a couple more decades. Travel is the next industry that boomers will revive and transform, so gear up for some serious growth.1) Nearly 86% of baby boomers were born in the U.S., and the states with the highest population of boomers are: California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Pennsylvania. Some boomers will traverse their home states first as they reach retirement; others will immediately launch into broad national and international travel.2) One baby boomer is retiring every eight seconds (that’s 10,000 per day), for the next 19 years. Many of these retirees will have the time and money to travel at their whim.3) 73% of all United State’s households are online and 82% of U.S. travelers. Boomers are taking advantage of what the internet offers in a huge way. They tend to use big portal sites and do things like their banking and shopping online. They will increasingly be driving the travel market.4) Half of all spending comes from people currently between ages 45 and 63, yet this segment is being largely ignored by many marketers. We should see only growth for the travel industry for at least the next 20 years. This means a travel agent could literally bypass the younger demographic for the next couple of decades and still have an extremely thriving business.5) Try to wrap your brain around this projection: Over 80,000,000 baby boomers are planning on a significant vacation in the next year. Collectively, that travel should total something in the neighborhood of $125 billion. And, as more and more boomers retire and devote, perhaps, months each year to world travel, it is difficult to imagine how much money will gush into the travel industry.6) Word of mouth and social networking will be huge among this demographic. In other words, boomers will base when, where, motivation, and mode of travel largely on what friends, relatives, acquaintances, and online bloggers have to say.7) Boomers want fun, adventure, activity, and excellent, knowledgeable service. One demographic will go after rustic, challenging “reality” travel adventures. Another demographic will pay for luxury, convenience, creature comforts, and the best travel packages available. Though boomers don’t make up one homogenous strata, they do gravitate to others from their generation.8) One demographic that has been somewhat ignored in the retirement age range is percentage of Europeans reaching age 65. This could be called Europe’s “silver” or boom population. By 2020, 730 million avid travelers may be circling the globe from this continent.9) What are some of boomers’ general travel interests? Lauraday Kelly of Vacation.com says that this group likes family, cruise, and spa vacations. Of course, some like roughing it and will pay for sporty adventure. Many will take religious pilgrimages to the Middle East, Rome, biblical locations. Boomers comparison-shop by telephone or internet, and they like economical, all-inclusive packages. If they find a travel agent or expert who can give them what they’re looking for, they will stick with that person or company.One prime conclusion we can draw from all this is that, though many brick and mortar travel agencies have shut down, there is no way that the travel agent profession is headed anywhere near extinction, at least for a few more decades. Millions of internet users will want advice, suggestions, and booking plans implemented by helpful and knowledgeable agents of all specialties.
Travel Insurance Policy, Why Do You Need It
Travelling may mean holidays for some or business meetings for a few; every person who travels whether it is within the boundaries of his nation or foreign land should be equipped with travel insurance. If you always take the safest routes and take the best of precautions against uncertainties and feel you do not require a travel cover and feel it is just an added expenditure then you need to think over it again. Below mentioned are a few reasons that will tell you why you should give yourself and your loved ones travel coverage every time there is travel involved.Natural disasters: The weather across globe isn’t the same always, with earthquakes, floods etc hitting countries every now and then it is impossible to predict what course nature will take any moment. If during your travel, you come across any such unexpected incident, the only option for you to do would be wait until things are settled and arrangements are made for your safe return. If you have a reliable travel insurance cover it will take care of your expenses during such hard times and will also act as medical travel insurance if the need arises. However well planned your trip and foolproof your budget may be such incidents can make things haywire for you. Therefore, having a sufficient coverage policy for your travel is a must.Unexpected accidents: You are on your way to meet that important client for whom you travelled so far and suddenly a car hits you. What do you do in such a case? In foreign land where you will not have even the slightest of idea where can you rush during medical emergencies, it is obvious for you to be left all alone. If you have a travel insurance that covers you against accidents there will always be an assurance of quick and efficient treatment during such medical emergencies. The insurance holder becomes the responsibility of travel insurance company when he is travelling and thus the provider makes sure the best possible arrangements are made. It is always better to stay on the safe side and a travel cover provides you just that.Loss of baggage: Loss or theft of baggage and important belongings can happen to anyone. Imagine your important documents along with your passport are lost; without a passport it is difficult to survive in another country. To reduce your worries and help you out, travel insurance can be a great companion. An important part of travel coverage includes loss of baggage and passport too so that your travel is made hassle-free.Looking at the above mentioned instances that you can encounter during your travel, by now you might have been convinced that uncertainties can hit you anywhere. One of the effective precautions you can take to avoid them is to opt for travel insurance.
The YTB Opportunities Are Something You Should Consider If You Are Looking For a Home Based Business
Do you want to be your own boss but do not have enough capital? Well you can do so now with less than $500 since there are YTB opportunities.YTB stands for Your Travel Business. As a member, you have the opportunity to make money by selling travel or selling a travel agency.There are two types of YTB opportunities. The first is by becoming an RTA or referring travel agent. After paying the one time start up fee of $449.95 and paying a monthly fee of $50 a month, you get to earn 60% of the package booked.The second YTB opportunity occurs when you decide to become a marketing representative. As a rep, you don’t have to pay any fees or earn any sales commissions. The only way you will earn is through enrollments and sponsorships.If you are one of those that want to make the most of out of your YTB opportunity, you can do both. If you are not sure how things will go, try it out as a rep first then become an RTA later on.In 2007, the company earned $414 million and a majority of it came from RTAs. This means that there are more YTB opportunities by referring people to them than by being a rep.For the amount that you pay in start up fees, you get an automated booking website, back office support from the company, online training, weekly conference calls, team support and coaching, bonuses and access to company sponsored special travel deals. That is not bad for the amount of money you invested which you will recoup in the next few months.Unknown to many, YTB opportunities can also give you tax deductions by 20 to 30% because you are operating your own business. This also includes deductions in the equipment you use to run it including your computer, car and vacations. If you compare what you spend on a vacation as a regular employee compared to that of an entrepreneur, you get to save money because what you are spending is pre-tax and not after tax dollars.Everyone has a dream of becoming their own boss so why wait when you can avail of YTB opportunities right now? All you have to do is go online, fill up the form and then a team leader will help guide you through the rest of the process.There is no guarantee that YTB opportunities is your solution to financial freedom. Just like any business, it is a risk so you have to do your share by getting people to book through you so commissions will start pouring in.