Rhodes and Crete are among the 10 most popular destinations for Silver travelers, the over-50s travel generation, which according to the latest data from the German travel platform HolidayCheck, is now one of the most decisive forces in the global tourism market.
In terms of destinations, the most popular for this generation are the Turkish Riviera (with a preference rate of 20.9%), Mallorca (10.7%), Hurghada and Safaga (9%), Fuerteventura (4.5%), followed by Crete (4.10%), Gran Canaria (3.9%), Marsa Alam & El Quseir (3.4%), Tenerife (2.6%), Rhodes (2.1%) and Lanzarote (1.6%).
Their favorite destinations: Spain, Turkey, Egypt and Greece
At the top of Silver Travelers’ preferences are Spain, Turkey and Egypt, which account for over 80% of bookings in almost all regions.
In North Rhine-Westphalia, Spain accounts for over 40% of bookings, Turkey 27% and Egypt almost 13%.
In eastern Germany, Turkey is first with over 35%, followed by Spain and Egypt.
Germany remains in the Top 5 destinations, with 12–17% of domestic tourism in regions such as Lower Saxony and Brandenburg.
4 in 10 package holidays are bought by people over 50
With financial independence, time flexibility and a priority on quality, 50+ travellers show clear preferences: organised trips and longer stays, with an emphasis on relaxation and authentic experiences.
According to booking data from the last two years, Silver Travellers account for over 36% of all trips made through HolidayCheck.
For package holidays, this figure rises to 39%, meaning that almost 4 in 10 organised holidays are made exclusively by travellers over 50.
This is the largest age group of travellers, not only in terms of numbers, but also in terms of influence on tourism demand.
Organisation, not spontaneity
Experience seems to be replacing haste: forethought is a hallmark of this generation. Unlike younger travelers, Silver Travelers leave nothing to chance.
The 18–30 age group books 82 days before their trip, while those over 50 plan 116 days in advance, almost 4 months before departure.
The older they get, the more organized their preparations:
-Those 50–60 travel with a 109-day planning window.
-Those 60+ travel with 122 days.
More days, more relaxation
Their philosophy is clear: quality and decompression instead of quick getaways. Silver Travelers choose longer vacations compared to younger generations.
As shown by hotel bookings, they stay 19% longer, with an average of 5.1 days.
In package holidays, the stay reaches 10.1 days, which means 36% more than those aged 18–30.
In fact, 75% do not take children or grandchildren with them on holiday.
Travel outside the tourist peak
The 50+ generation knows well when to travel. Silver Travellers avoid crowds and benefit from better prices and milder temperatures by preferring the shoulder season. After all, without the commitments of school holidays, they consciously choose to travel before and after the peak season.
The most popular months are September and October, followed by May.
On the contrary, the summer months of July and August are ranked at the bottom of their preferences.
Quality over price
Silver Travelers’ travel investment is higher, but smartly calculated: They spend 11% more per vacation package than those aged 18–30. For hotel bookings, the additional cost is 9%.
However, the cost per night is lower, as longer stays offer better prices. So their overall budget translates not into luxury, but into more days of rest and a higher return on relaxation.
