FLORENCE, ITALY – The journey began with the approval of the European Commission to co-finance the project “European Senior Citizens’ Actions to Promote Exchange in Europe” (ESCAPE). Eight organisations varying in their field of expertise from 6 different countries agreed to join forces to investigate what 55+ tourists expect when travelling abroad and what their interests are, all with one thing in mind: to design and offer innovative and sustainable thematic tourism packages, tailor made for 55+, with special attention on quality and safety, while available during the low season.
Since the beginning of the project back in September 2014, 18 months have passed and the ESCAPE partners have achieved a list of results and real products ready to be taken up by the tourism market. “With a total of ten thematic tourism packages in Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, Italy and Portugal, all focusing on quality and safety, senior travelers can now rest assured that whatever their ESCAPE destination this is tailor made for them”, says Demetra Palaonda from the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
These packages were designed based on the results derived from the pan-European study on the needs and demands of senior tourists, coupled with the senior-friendly criteria which the ESCAPE consortium developed after extensive research and consultation with the local stakeholders in each country.
“Europe has a lot of treasures to unveil all year round, being the history, culture, nature, eno-gastronomy as well as health & well-being to name a few; projects like ESCAPE assist in the process of making Europe both accessible and as a result appealing to mature travelers”, continues Demetra.
Recognising the significant market potential of senior tourism is the first step. Working towards the upgrading of the tourism product across Europe focusing on this particularly sensitive market, by identifying as well as catering for the personalized needs of senior tourists, is the next and most challenging step. This requires the collaboration and commitment of all stakeholders involved: the industry, the relevant European and National authorities and the senior citizen organisations. This is the reason behind the organization of Florence’s conference entitled “Europe: The Best Destination for Seniors”, where the European Commission, four relevant projects financed by the EC, the industry and other tourism stakeholders will present, brainstorm and discuss ways of promoting Europe as the quality and safe continent all year round, especially for travelers 55+.
Apart from the 10 tourism packages, the ESCAPE partnership is today launching the free iESCAPE mobile application and the relevant web platform www.escape2europe.eu. Through these, on the one hand, clients can identify their ideal ESCAPE destination or learn more about the ESCAPE Club members which are senior-friendly attractions and tourist establishments in each of the five countries, totaling to 95 until today, ranging from accommodation providers, to restaurants-cafes-bars, transport companies, as well as cultural and historical attractions. On the other hand, tourism industry suppliers which comply with the ESCAPE Club senior-friendly criteria, are acknowledged and promoted free-of-charge.
Until the end of February 2016, both the packages as well as the Club membership is open to eligible members in the five partner countries of Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, Italy and Portugal. From 1st March 2016, the ESCAPE Club membership will open to, and the packages will be extended to, other countries as well, after signing a relevant agreement.
For more information: Escape2Europe website or the free iESCAPE mobile application (available on Appstore and GooglePlay).