Enjoying the Latest Travel Trends in Retirement
By Chris Hostetler & Kali Whitaker
One of the great joys we experience as advisors is living vicariously through clients of ours who are traveling the world. Often, this is the payoff for years of hard work and careful planning. So we were excited to host an educational panel recently, “Envision the Retirement of Your Dreams”, with speakers discussing a range of ways to make the most of your time after the career phase of life.
Two of our panelists were travel specialists. Karen Garr is a travel consultant with Maupin Travel in Raleigh. Tony Lewitt is a hobbyist travel agent who has developed a particular passion for cruising. Both Karen and Tony shared some ideas and trends that could make travel more enjoyable for you.
How many times have you said “When I retire, I’m finally going to (insert grandiose goal here).” Maybe it’s walking the Great Wall of China or seeing the turtles in the Galapagos; maybe you just want to spend more time at the Outer Banks. Whether you are retired or close to retirement, now is the time to turn your dreams into goals and your goals into plans.
As we spoke with Karen and Tony, one thing that struck us is that client-focused travel agents approach their work in much the same way that we approach financial planning: start with a vision and let that drive the details. Here are some common approaches to the travel planning they do, particularly for retirees:
“I’ve worked my whole life, and it’s my turn to relax!” Maybe a cruise is perfect for you. As Tony explained, traveling on a ship can take away the stress of switching hotels and coordinating travel during your trip while still allowing you to see multiple destinations in one vacation.
Additionally, entertainment, meals, and activities are in one location, and there’s something for everyone. This can make cruising a great option when traveling with friends and family, when you want to spend time with loved ones but need an occasional break from them, too.
“I’ve been busy running a company, and haven’t taken time to see the world.” If you have a list of destinations on your bucket list, you may need to work with a seasoned travel agent. Karen says that professional agents can coordinate trips with multiple destinations and multiple modes of travel. They can also suggest excursions that you would love but may not know about. Many agents have great relationships with representatives from hotels, airlines, and local attractions, and have actually been to some of the places that you’d like to see. This insider knowledge can make your trip much more enjoyable.
“I’ve done an 8-5 schedule for years and feel compelled to give back.” As financial advisors, we love to see our clients building a legacy, and perhaps one of the most enjoyable ways they do that is by sharing the world with their family through travel. As an example, we have a client who lets each of her grandchildren plan a trip anywhere in the world when they turn 14. She’s taken grandkids to Costa Rica and Alaska, and the time they’ve spent together creates a legacy that will stay with the young ones for the rest of their lives.
A relatively new form of travel, “voluntourism”, allows you to share your time and passions with others around the world as you explore new places. You may provide short-term work at an orphanage or school, or teach medical treatment or agriculture.
The possibilities and potential destinations are endless, underscoring the importance of knowing your own vision before you talk with an agent or start sampling travel websites. Good travel agents are like good financial advisors – they want you to achieve your goals and enjoy the journey. Whatever kind of journey you’re facing, don’t be afraid to ask for a little help along the way!