Gen Z only with Geckos age-range
Thirty will soon be ‘too old’ for Geckos Adventures, as the Intrepid Group announced today that it will cut the age range to meet a growing demand from the next generation of travellers.
The Intrepid Group’s bold decision to drop the maximum age-limit from 39 to 29 years old as of next year is in response to travel agent focus groups and feedback from its youngest travellers.
Apparently, youth of today are looking for a ‘genuine’ youth product that enabled them to travel with like-minded people of their own age.
Intrepid Group’s Managing Director James Thornton (35 years old) said that this is a strategic move by the company to invest in and grow the youth market with its style of sustainable experience-rich travel.
Youth travel is one of the fastest growing sectors in tourism representing 23% of over one billion international tourists each year, according to the UNWTO, and generation Z is predicted to influence youth travel trends with a more socially conscious, authentic and pragmatic approach than the generation before it.
“This move is not intended as a wake-up call for 30 something’s, it’s about transforming Geckos in to a brand that provides the next generation of travellers with a responsible small group alternative to party bus tours” Thornton said.
The change will apply to all Geckos Adventures trips in 2017, with the exception of trips to the Galapagos Islands which will be open to all ages and run by big sister-brand Intrepid.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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ageism is what it is. My first Geckos tour I was 18 and we had a couple in their late 50’s exploring Egypt with us. It was amazing! They were always ready to go and they had such great stories and experience. It’s sad that geckos is doing this. I for one will be taking my $$$ elsewhere. G adventures, tucan, anywhere not geckos.
…..it’s so discriminating… the young once and the young at heart will be heartbroken..