Travel agents and AARP are using Tech to make Travel Easier
If you’re making an upcoming trip, or planning one for next year there is a solid chance you’ve had to study up on new apps and tech, or that you’ve booked it using some new technology. AARP was nice enough to contact us to tell us about some new things they’re doing to help our baby boomers navigate tech before they set sail on their next vacation. Tom Kamber is the Executive Director of Older Adults Travel Services “OATS” thru AARP.
“We recently completed a survey with AARP where we talked to over a thousand people who are over the age of 50 and asked about their travel plans and what they’re doing with technology to take advantage of the tools that are available for people that are traveling,” says Kamber. “While the vast majority are using technology for some purposes, many people feel like they need more help using tech tools and researching tech alternatives before they get started with those traveling plans.”
“So AARP has put together some resources with us at OATS and we’re making them available to people online and what we’re recommending people do is look at additional tools on top of what they’re typically using. Right now about 80 percent of people are using tech to set up a booking at a hotel or an airline and they’re often booking directly with those services but what they’re not using tech for is price comparison or sometimes when they’re actually on the trip using tech for navigation and for taking advantage of local resources for comparing the quality of different local restaurants or things that they might do while they’re on the trips as well.” Mr. Kamber also told us that there are now virtual trips for people that don’t want to leave the house. Imagine a theater full of people our parents and grandparents age that are watching virtual tours of Italy and Rome without having to board a plane. OATS is making this happen thru zoom and Mr. Kamber tells us it’s free and supported by AARP and is becoming hugely popular.
Also joining us to chime in on high tech travel is a License Travel Agent from Smart Moms Travel, Zoe Siegel. “a lot of these travel providers have apps that you need to be knowledgeable about when you are taking your trip so if you’re going to a Disney park there is a Disney app that you would download and that’s how you get your Maps, your Lightning Lane multipass or single pass,” says Zoe “I can also help you to learn about the new systems that they have in place because as the years go on there are more updates and more improvements to the parks which people could get overwhelmed. There’s a lot involved with the apps especially for cruise lines so I can help with navigating those for the clients so that they’re familiar with them before they get on onto their trip”
The best place to start learning tech is visiting our friends at their respective website. Mr. Kamber also recommends putting together a written agenda before you travel so you can have a plan and an effective budget. You can visit them at seniorplanet.org/travel and it will help you learn things like Google Translate, and payment tools on your phones so you don’t have to carry cash and make your travels safer. They have classes available absolutely free because AARP is a non-profit.
Zoe can also be found on her social media links at Facebook and Instagram or zoe@bipbopbooked.com
