(EMAILWIRE.COM, April 07, 2009 ) Salmon, ID - Children vacationing with their grandparents – a vacation that has become known as “grandtravel” - remains one of the fastest growing segments of the travel industry. More seniors are taking trips with their grandchildren and the kids love it. A survey conducted by Yesawich, Pepperdine, and Brown & Russell, a travel marketing consultant, showed that nearly 60% of kids between the ages of 6-17, “really like to” vacation with their grandparents.
For seniors who are adventurous and love the outdoors, taking grandkids on a river rafting trip is a choice that that is hard to beat. TodayÂ’s rafting vacations rival cruises for activity choices but, unlike cruises, those extra activities are included in the fare. While the kids are running rapids in kayaks under the watchful eye of a professional guide, older adults can sit back and comfortably take in the scenery or fly fish from a boat navigated by another crew member.
Some adventure travel companies aware of this trend have begun to market their trips directly to seniors. A small group of premier outfitters on Idaho’s Middle Fork of the Salmon have been advertising directly to seniors hoping to appeal to “grandtravel” participants. They are using print advertising and internet marketing efforts to attract multi-generational groups.
Al Bukowsky, a Middle Fork outfitter and part of the marketing group, observed, “A lot of grandparents have prospered and want to leave their grandkids more than just money. For them, creating memories is more important.”
An outfitted vacation on the Middle Fork is typically six-days long. Most trips meet in Stanley, Idaho, easily reached by car or air charter from Boise. The best outfitters provide top-notch boating and safety equipment, camping gear, spacious tents, freshly laundered sleeping bags, thick sleeping pads, camp chairs, fabulous Dutch oven cuisine, and a crew of knowledgeable, fun guides. Crews set-up and break-down camp, making the camping experience comfortable and easy.
For more information about boating IdahoÂ’s Middle Fork of the Salmon, contact one of these outfitters: