Boomer tourism and climate change: an emerging conflict?

A growing number of older adults have the financial means to travel extensively. This expanding travel market could have significant climate implications, as older travellers often prefer energy-intensive tourism, such as cruises. To explore the consequences of this trend, this paper examines the current and planned travel behaviours of a representative sample of the Boomer generation in Germany. The analysis is based on data from Reiseanalyse, an annual survey of 7,259 Germans, and a Norstat survey of 1,101 older German adults. Findings reveal a complex picture: A significant portion of retirees lacks the financial means to travel, while travel intensity declines with age, with a marked decrease after age 75. Averaged across the population, retirees have a smaller carbon footprint from travel than those still in the workforce. Although these factors suggest tourism emissions will decline as the population ages, this trend may reverse as Boomers retire, given their propensity for carbon-intensive travel. To keep Germany on track with its climate goals, proactive policies are needed to address these sociodemographic shifts and their implications for emissions. Findings extend beyond Germany, as affluent senior populations are growing in other high-income countries as well.