Brits over-50 are sacrificing holidays to childmind their grandchildren, says Leger
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The resurgence in the over-50s travelling market may be short-lived as more baby boomers take on childcare duties, according to a new survey. Tour operator Leger Holidays has revealed that the previously ‘free’ grey market is finding less time to travel as they spend more time childminding. Some 22% of its 1,000 respondents said they babysat for more than 20 hours a week and some were committed to at least six hours of childcare. As a result, some admitted they had changed or sacrificed a holiday to help their families. The news comes after several travel companies marked a surge in bookings from the over-50s market as the generation becomes more financially stable and adventurous. “The mature traveller has always enjoyed more freedom when it comes to holidays as, historically, they have had more time and flexibility. However, especially given the current economy, a generation we at Leger have dubbed ‘Retired Help’ is having to provide childcare and support for their families, which is having a serious impact on their own leisure time,” said Huw Williams, marketing director at Leger Holidays. He also dismissed that the multi-generation trend had swayed holiday experiences for grandparents, as more than half said they did not enjoy it and felt they were there to provide free childcare.
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