Cultural operator Martin Randall Travel has removed a ban on holidaymakers aged over 80, following an investigation by consumer watchdog Which? Travel.
Which? contacted the operator as part of an investigation into how going on holiday can be made harder for older people.
Martin Randall Travel’s age ban for over-80s had been in place for 16 years.
The investigation highlighted this age limit after two Which? members were stopped from going on a holiday with the company.
They had just turned 81 and were barred from taking another holiday because of their age, despite previously taking tours to Jordan and Syria with the company, according to Which?
The London-based operator, confirming on its website that it is now accepting bookings from all travellers, said: “Martin Randall Travel has reviewed the way it ensures a certain level of fitness on all our tours, and is pleased to announce we now accept bookings from those aged over 80.
“Ours are active holidays and because groups move at the pace of the slowest, we were mindful of the experience being less enjoyable for the majority if a minority were unable to cope.
“In line with guidelines issued by the Government Equalities Office, and as part of our continuing review of the policy, we have decided to try a different way, but we are still determined to ensure a certain level of fitness on all our holidays.”
The company added: “We will require all clients to have travel insurance which includes full medical cover, including for their specific medical conditions.
“We will also issue all clients with guidance on the necessary level of fitness for the tour, in the form of written advice and physical tests to be completed at home, and we will ask people to confirm they are fit enough as part of the booking confirmation process.
“Martin Randall Travel’s main goal is to continue to provide enjoyable and stimulating holidays for all who participate in them.
“We are now in the process of updating all our brochures and details on this website to reflect the new policy.”