Why YOLO trips?

[IncaTrail50]

Uuhhhmmm, maybe I will be the first to question but why is there a need for YOLO trips? We have seen many, many entries here in the Watering Hole saying that GAP trips HAVE no age, it's just a state of mind. Why now is there a distinct group of trips for the young 'uns? At 52 am I too old to enjoy life? If I decided to join one of those tours do I need fake ID? Yes, that's it, I will grab my daughter's fake ID that she used to get into bars when she was underage, except that I will use it to get into places for which I am considered too stinkin' old! I have a 70 year old friend who plays baseball and instead of being "called up" like the 14 year olds who play on 17 year olds teams, she was "called down" to play on the over 55 league. Yes, I do like the sound of that. "Well, ma'am, you don't look a day over 39 so I guess this picture is really you, Welcome to YOLO". Otherwise I might just have to totter over to Gecko's and Intrepid where they don't care if I am older than dirt. That is if my old eyes can find wherever the heck they are...

[graybeard]

Well said "Inca". As another doddering oldster, who just happened to be the strongest/fastest hiker on the Inca Trail last June, including the 20 somethings, I found this new category of YOLO quite off-putting. Looks like GAP wants to nudge the fogey's into the Comfort Style trip's where we can all have dinner at 5:30 and be in bed by 8 PM. Eh, what? Speak up!

Phooey!

[TravelFun]

I hear you and I've been on trips with varying ages and never too many problems arise...on the odd occasion smaller groups evolve but its never stopped a party or any day activities!

...but companies like GAP have to also consider trip feedback and market demands and it seems there's a demand for YOLO trips which is purely age based yet the trip is pretty much the same as before.

I'm 41 so already out of the bracket and like yourselves IncaTrail50 & graybeard, I love partying and love all travel experiences and will not be opting for 'Comfort Style' trips!

Do make GAP your first choice before looking at other options though!

Happy Travels!

[DanielBMe]

I'm also just over the hill for the YOLO and can see both sides of the equation...I guess. But it does seem like those over 40 are being penalized. I think the best thing for GAP to do would be to perhaps offer the same trip but as a non YOLO on different dates. That way those that would like to do the trip but do not fit into the YOLO grouping can still take them.

JMHO

[TravelFun]

That way those that would like to do the trip but do not fit into the YOLO grouping can still take them.

Over 40's club, almost sounding like a 'comfort' trip...scary!

[MitchN]

At 16 years old I am at the other end of the age bracket for YOLO trips, I am too young. And while I can see where you are coming from, I feel compelled to point out that GAP has not decreased the number of trips available for people your age. In fact, the list keeps growing all the time. The YOLO trips do not detract from your options in any way. Plus, the majority of GAP's clientel are people aged 18-30, go figure then that they would create trips just for them eh? You are NOT being pushed towards the comfort trips at all.

-Mitch.


P.S. I know some people who are in Africa right now with Gecko and, to say it lightly, they are not enjoying them.

[Zuleika]

Plus, the majority of GAP's clientel are people aged 18-30, go figure then that they would create trips just for them eh? .

Errr - how do you know this?????

This not been the case on any of the trips I have done with GAP - I would infact say the AVERAGE has always been around 35 years old not 25 - although I guess it may depend on the the trip and country.
However - dont take my word for it - you only have to search this topic on this forum - there are loads of age related posts!

[TravelFun]

Hey, you're back Zuleika? Do stick around...

Travel to me is like music...ageless! It's something that gets people with the same passion together, to share the same experiences and trust me some incredible ones and to learn from each other!

Happy Travels!

[graybeard]

Zuleika is back!!!

This is great. Glad to "see" you.

Too bad the problems with these forums that threatened to drive you away are still present and, indeed, seem worse.

[IncaTrail50]

Well said "Inca". As another doddering oldster, who just happened to be the strongest/fastest hiker on the Inca Trail last June, including the 20 somethings, I found this new category of YOLO quite off-putting. Looks like GAP wants to nudge the fogey's into the Comfort Style trip's where we can all have dinner at 5:30 and be in bed by 8 PM. Eh, what? Speak up!

Phooey!

Hey, Graybeard, isn't that what happened on the Inca Trail? I seem to recall that after we sprinted the Trail each day we were in bed just after the sun went down!! Best 50th birthday party EVER! Think I may do it again for my 100th!!

[jimshu]

Did a tour with Cosmos a couple of years back.I remember some of the youngies remarking how quick Kay and I were up those castle steps.First to the top!
So if GAP sees a need to put the slow youngies on their own tour, then gee, we're not going to get held up!
All's good!

[DanielBMe]

[quote="MitchN"] Plus, the majority of GAP's clientel are people aged 18-30, go figure then that they would create trips just for them eh? quote]

On all the trips I've done with GAP there was only one person under 30. I agree with the earlier post, most do appear to be in the 35 age bracket. That may be a indication of the trips chosen though. I think there are certain destinations that younger people are drawn to more so than others.

[jimshu]

I may be wrong, but it may be part of a move by GAP to compete more directly with the young traveller market, now catered mainly for by the likes of Contiki.Contiki do carry mainly younger,budget, and partying travellers of 18-39 therabouts.And are sometimes described as travelling parties.We travelled with them way back in the 70's but these days would never consider doing that.We're a bit more sophisticated now.
But our kids have a few years ago.My son described the trip as boozing all night, sleeping off the hangover on the bus the next morning, and possibly being able to see a castle in the afternoon, if well enough!
So , if that's the market they're chasing, then keeping it separate is great!
I can just imagine us on a trip like that.I'd be just starting to party, and my wife would drag me out of the bar, and spoil all my fun!But in the morning I'd thank her for saving me from that hangover!
BTW.The other reason for this YOLO move may be that too many of us oldies have been showing up the youngies with our fitness and so they've been complaining about us in their trip evaluation forms!

[desiree2]

My son described the trip as boozing all night, sleeping off the hangover on the bus the next morning, and possibly being able to see a castle in the afternoon, if well enough!
So , if that's the market they're chasing, then keeping it separate is great!

I must admit that when I saw the YOLO trips I was hoping that it would syphon off those who only go overseas to get drunk at night and then sleep during the day. I can do that at home.

[chardonais]

I don't have a problem with having YOLO trips, however it seems as though the majority of the basic trips have turned into YOLO. I had many of these trips on my "to-do" list, but now will no longer be able to do because there is not a non-YOLO option with the same price/itinerary. If GAP wants to cater to the 18-39's, I don't think that should be at the expense of other travellors. Poor decision GAP!!

Maybe they will begin offering YAH (young at heart) trips only for the 50+ crowd..............

BTW - I'm 35 and would still "qualify" to travel on a YOLO trip - definately will not considering it may be just another Contiki tour.


Dianna