Baby boomers are a unique generation with many tendencies that set them apart from both older and younger cohorts. Financially, they’re currently the wealthiest generation in history — and they have the spending habits to back it up. Largely focused on experiences over possessions, baby boomers often make impulse travel purchases on a whim. GWI, a company that provides consumer insights on buying trends, states that retired baby boomers are 211% more likely to book travel on impulse. Meanwhile, the generation as a whole is 159% more likely to do the same. This doesn’t mean retired baby boomers are financially irresponsible people, as they’re also known to adopt frugal habits without sacrificing their quality of life.
While GWI reports vacations were among the most common expenditures made by baby boomers throughout much of 2025, this generation still puts the essentials first. Pragmatic Coders, a business-focused software development company, reports that baby boomers spend about 80% of their income on things they need like housing and food. Even so, they’re still spending more than Gen X on nonessentials like vacations, suggesting they still have the time and resources to spring for travel that fits their budget better than their working cohorts — even at the last minute.
Read more: 12 Items Retirees Will Instantly Regret Buying
What baby boomer retirees look for when booking travel
Two seniors smiling taking a selfie in front of a lighthouse near the water. – Jlco – Julia Amaral/Getty Images
While many people have their own idea of what an ideal vacation might look like, many baby boomers actually have the resources to bring that vision to life. It’s a growing trend among boomers with disposable income to cover the expenses for multigenerational family travel so they can see the world and share special experiences with loved ones while they’re at it. Due to their larger-than-average bank accounts, boomers might also be more willing to make unnecessary travel purchases while on vacation for things like better accommodations or premium flights for a more comfortable experience.
GWI reports baby boomers prefer travel that emphasizes sightseeing, and they’re more likely to book vacations that provide culturally rich experiences through guided tours. So, it’s not surprising that many won’t hesitate to open their wallets when the opportunity to take a fulfilling trip arises, even if it hasn’t been on the horizon for long. As of 2024, the Federal Reserve reports that around 72% of individuals aged 60 and older have three months of emergency savings — that’s almost 20% more than any other age group. So, not only do many baby boomers have the expendable income to make these impulse purchases, it’s likely they’ve avoided the emergency fund mistake many people near retirement make and have enough in reserves that they can travel without worrying about making ends meet should unexpected financial complications arise.
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