More than 25,000 votes have already been cast for the 2018 Silver Travel Awards.
The awards, of which Travel Weekly is trade media partner, are voted for by consumers and recognise the travel companies and destinations that best serve the over-50s market.
Classic FM presenter John Suchet will host the awards evening at the National Portrait Gallery in London on July 9.
Silver Travel Advisor managing director Debbie Marshall said: “The over-50s are key drivers of the UK travel industry, from cruises to city breaks, from rail holidays to e-biking, from safaris to self-drives. Life expectancy is rising, and the over-50s have a passion for new experiences and discoveries.
“These awards give mature travellers the opportunity to recognise and reward the companies which are responding best to their ever-expanding travel horizons, meeting their needs and delivering their holiday dreams on the water, in the air and on the ground.
“The Silver Travel Awards are voted for by consumers and as such they represent a very clear map of which companies are getting things right for the over-50s.
“The most successful companies are those that understand that there is not one homogenous mass of ‘older people’ and that the over-50s market is made up of very different groups, many of whom who are living full lives with as many travel ambitions as younger people, and with the time and resources to make them happen.
“Across the decades from the age of 50, the needs of those individuals will change but in many cases their mindsets do not.”
The 21 main categories for 2018 are:
• Best Ocean Cruise Line
• Best Luxury Cruise Line
• Best Specialist or Expedition Cruise Line
• Best River Cruise Line
• Best Luxury River Cruise Line
• Best Short Haul Tour Operator
• Best Long Haul Operator
• Best Activity or Adventure Tour Operator
• Best Cultural Tour Operator
• Best City Breaks Operator
• Best Accessible Travel Provider
• Best Operator for the Single Traveller
• Best Self-Catering Travel Company
• Best Escorted Tour Operator (UK Tours)
• Best Escorted Touring Operator (Europe & Long Haul Tours)
• Best Luxury Escorted Touring Operator
• Best Villa Holiday Company
• Best Rail Holiday Company
• Best Airline
• Best Car Rental Company
• Best Overseas Destination
Voting is open until May 15 here
Saga Holidays is offering a six-night cruise to Hamburg for two people in a prize draw for one 50-plus voter.
The fourth annual awards are supported by travel firms such as Saga Holidays, Wendy Wu Tours, Avia, Solos and Shearings.
The Daily Mail and The Mail on Sunday are consumer media sponsors. Travel Weekly is travel trade media sponsor for the event.
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