Senior travel season takes off after the summer holidays
While families with children are returning to their everyday routines after the summer holidays, thousands of senior travellers are now packing their suitcases.
Data from SOS International shows that travellers aged 60 and above are increasingly choosing to travel in late summer and autumn, when temperatures in Southern Europe are more pleasant than during the peak summer months.
From August to September last year, the number of travel assistance cases involving people aged over 60 increased by as much as 84%, meaning that activity levels in September were almost twice as high as the previous month.
Seniors continue to travel extensively throughout autumn and winter, with the number of cases peaking in February.
The trend reflects a broader development in which Nordic travellers are increasingly spreading their holidays across more months of the year rather than travelling primarily in July.
Getting the right help from the start makes a difference
As more seniors travel during the autumn months, the likelihood of requiring medical assistance while abroad also increases. This makes it particularly important that travellers are directed to the right healthcare providers from the outset.
This is especially relevant in destinations with large numbers of tourists, where there is an increased risk that travellers may be referred to treatment providers outside SOS International's quality-assured network.
"Senior travellers generally face a higher risk of requiring medical assistance during their trip. That is why it is crucial that they are guided quickly to the right healthcare provider and that SOS International is contacted early in the process," says Karin Tranberg, EVP Travelcare at SOS International.
During the summer, SOS International was forced to blacklist several clinics in Turkey and Spain. However, clinics and treatment providers not recommended by SOS International can also be found in other popular tourist destinations.
"It is unfortunate when patients are not referred to a quality-assured healthcare provider from the outset. This can result in inappropriate treatment that spoils their holiday, or treatment costs that are significantly higher than necessary," says Karin Tranberg.
Guiding travellers to the right care
At several popular tourist destinations, local networks are actively used to attract patients. This may involve hotel staff, drivers, tour guides and other local contacts receiving incentives for directing travellers to specific clinics or treatment facilities.
To help ensure that travellers receive treatment at clinics with high medical standards and strong ethical practices, it is important that they are referred to providers within SOS International's network of preferred healthcare partners. This can, for example, be done through the digital FindCare solution.
Travellers can, of course, also contact SOS International directly for assistance, either online or by telephone.
Travel is spreading across more months of the year
Although July remains the busiest month of the year for SOS International's alarm centre, the trend is clear: travel activity is becoming increasingly spread throughout the year.
Seventy per cent of all cases during the summer period from June to August were created in July, when most people take their summer holidays. At the same time, however, SOS International is seeing more travellers choosing to travel both before and after the peak season, when temperatures in Southern Europe are less intense.
For seniors in particular, the milder autumn temperatures make this an attractive time to travel, and the trend is also evident in the long-term data. Since 2021, SOS International has experienced a threefold increase in the number of cases involving travellers aged over 60. By comparison, the number of cases involving travellers aged 0-59 has increased by 40%.
Facts: What is FindCare?
FindCare is SOS International's digital tool that helps travellers find healthcare providers approved by SOS International. The solution is available on the SOS International website and can also be integrated into insurers' own websites.
FindCare was developed to help travellers quickly locate quality-assured treatment facilities and ensure that appropriate care and assistance are provided from the very beginning.
FindCare meets the needs of travellers who prefer quick and easy access to assistance through digital solutions. User satisfaction levels are comparable to those of more traditional channels.
FindCare can also be used proactively, allowing travellers to familiarise themselves with treatment options at their destination before departure.
Usage of FindCare has increased since its launch last summer. Adoption is highest in the most popular holiday destinations.
Read more about FindCare: Medical care abroad just got easier
Travellers with pre-existing medical conditions may benefit from obtaining a Medical Pre-Assessment before travelling. Read more about Medical Pre-Assessment and when it may be relevant.