Organization of senior tourism in Lubuskie Region – cooperation between EXODUS Travel Agency and University of the Third Age (UTA) in Zielona Góra
Seniors from the Lubuskie Voivodeship are very eager to take advantage of trips organized by travel agencies (TA). Senior tourism includes the organization of holidays, stays in sanatoriums both in Poland and abroad, round trips to the most interesting places in Europe, pilgrimages to holy places and shorter one/two-day trips. Thanks to the offer tailored to the elderly needs, seniors can fulfill their daily desires: to be socially and culturally active, to broaden mind, to feel integrated and included in the group, to avoid feeling lonely, to use their free time wisely. Trips dedicated to seniors are offered by the EXODUS Family Travel Agency. One of the goals of the TA is to provide tours tailored to seniors’ expectations, with respect to their age, needs and also limitations. The offer of this TA is most often used by seniors from the University of the Third Age (UTA) and others from the Lubuskie and neighboring regions. EXODUS also organizes special senior events commissioned by the UTA. Over 70% of customers are elderly. The TA regularly adjusts its offer to the requirements and needs of elderly people (e.g. special breaks during the trip). They develop their offer based on years of experience and financial capabilities of this group of customers. EXODUS operates on the basis of its own comfortable high-decker coaches. Hot and cold drinks on request and simple meals at favorable price are served in coaches, which is very important for seniors.
Resources needed
Human resources needed: 1. contact persons both in Exodus and UTA to discuss particular needs and expectations of seniors, 2.Exodus staff during the tour.
Monetary resources needed: 1.One-day tour costs 20-50 €/person, 2. Multi-day tour costs 120-600 €/person
Evidence of success
Results achieved: - the number of excursions and participants is growing every year, - regular excursions promote activisation, integration, inclusion, participation and life-long learning among senior population, - tours help to improve both mental and physical condition of seniors, - a positive bond formed not only between senior participants, but also between them and employees of Exodus (‘a family feeling’).
Difficulties encountered
Negative aspects/challenges: - deterioration of health condition over time, limited mobility of participants, - fear of coronavirus among seniors, - limited financial resources (low pensions in Poland, no public funding), - increasing level of prices in tourism
Potential for learning or transfer
Key success factors: - one company (Exodus) arranges everything what's needed for the tour, - Exodus is a family business (no big rotation of employees, ‘family feeling’), - long-lasting and successful cooperation based on trust and personal bond, - Exodus has its own fleet of modern buses (provides transportation ‘right from home and back home’), - own bus fleet and own tour leaders guarantee best possible rates, - Exodus shows initiative in offering interesting programmes, events, - For UTA groups Exodus always negotiates the best rates (e.g. provides reduced ticket fare to opera shows), - popularization of the idea (cooperation with many UTA’s from other cities and even provinces, - the offer for seniors includes: 1.multi-day leisure focus on relaxation/health improvement or common celebration, 2.one-day excursions focus on: health improvement (e.g. thermal pools), cultural participation (e.g. opera), sightseeing/life-long learning (e.g. local attractions).
