TravTalk India Online Magazine
Start-up firm SeniorWorld designs customized and assisted tours for senior citizens. They are among the first few to cater to this segment, says MP Deepu, Founder, SeniorWorld.
Hazel Jain
Founders MP Deepu and Rahul Gupta started SeniorWorld in 2016 keeping in mind that a much-ignored segment of senior citizens could blow up and offer a lot of business potential. Now, this seems like a phenomenon waiting to happen. The company was started with a vision of promoting positive ageing. Post lockdown, they restarted SilverWings
Travel services for seniors, with holiday packages specially designed for them.
MP Deepu, Founder, SeniorWorld, says, “We understand that seniors have different needs when it comes to travel, so we have developed a range of features catering to their needs. Our guided tours help them meet new people and make new friends. Anticipating our customer’s needs comes naturally to us at SeniorWorld. This approach helps us create services that cater to their needs. This demography is still comfortable with phone calls, so we make sure we have associates who are trained to interact with seniors.”
Although SeniorWorld has been bootstrapped since its inception in 2016, it is now looking to raise funds through venture capitalists to take it to the next level.
“With new funds, we plan to introduce cutting-edge technology, including an app. We plan to expand so as to cover more locations, hire a larger team. We will enhance the safety features in the travel services, such as medical emergency response plans and advanced safety protocols,” he added.
Trends in senior segment
“The senior travel market is growing at a rapid pace in India, with an expected annual growth rate of 15-18 per cent. There is also a trend towards sustainable and responsible travel, where they can have a positive impact on the communities they visit. Many travellers are breaking stereotypes by seeking out new travel experiences, such as adventure sports among others. The market is demonstrating age should not be a barrier to lead a fulfilling and adventurous life,” he said. Presently, we are exploring B2B distribution channels.
