The segment of silver travellers - those aged 55 and older - is a fast- growing one for the travel industry in Singapore, as baby boomers hit the road in increasing numbers.

Travel agencies such as Chan Brothers Travel and Dynasty Travel say the number of customers from this market has jumped 10 per cent each year for the past three years - significant growth given that "silver travellers" make up at least 40 per cent of their customers.

These holiday-makers are not limiting themselves to nearby countries; some of them head to places as far afield as Scandinavia, Alaska and Tanzania.

At Dynasty Travel, every year, about 70 per cent of its silver travellers take at least one long-haul holiday lasting 10 to 15 days and at least one mid-haul holiday lasting four to eight days.

The enthusiasm for travel, says Dynasty Travel's director of public relations Alicia Seah, is due to "a satisfactory disposable income, fewer home responsibilities, more time to travel and relatively good health".

"They are an important tourist segment and are expected to spend more than all other age groups on holiday travel," she adds.

Falling oil prices and, subsequently, cheaper flights have also contributed to more travelling this year.

At Insight Vacations, the number of customers above 55 years old has tripled since 2013. About 65 per cent of its guests are aged 52 to 70, and 25 per cent are above the age of 71.

Its chief executive officer John Boulding attributes this largely to luxury tour and cruise companies offering "senior-friendly trips" - itineraries with more than one night in each location, lifts in every hotel, customised excursions to match a guest's fitness level, door-to-door transport and porter services.

Cruise operator Royal Caribbean Cruises is also cashing in on this trend - silver travellers account for 30 per cent of its customers.

Most are attracted to the convenience of cruises, which allow guests to visit multiple destinations while unpacking only once.

Guests can also take part in onboard activities, such as line and ballroom dancing, and join different onshore excursions.

The trend is expected to stick as local agencies and operators fine- tune their offerings to grab a slice of the growing market segment.

Singapore has one of the fastest- ageing populations in Asia.

Currently, one in eight Singaporeans is above the age of 65, but by 2030, this will change to one in four, with life expectancies pegged at about 20 years beyond retirement age.

But there is still much to be done and travel agencies are trying to better understand the needs of silver travellers.

Mr Lee Kah Chuen, 70, and his wife, Madam Tan Jee Pang, 69, who have taken 22 holidays with Dynasty Travel since 2007, regularly join the agency's inaugural tours and give feedback after each trip.

"Sometimes, the tours are so packed, once you reach a place, it's night and all you can do is go to sleep," he says.

However, he appreciates that changes to the tours were made after he gave his feedback.

The couple favoured scenic adventure and walking trips to exotic destinations such as Peru, Eastern Turkey and Kenya but are now opting for cruises and more low-key tours after Mr Lee had bypass surgery in August last year.

The industry's willingness to listen and change, says Ms Helen Lim, 79, founder of Silver Horizon Travel, is key to capturing the market.

Silver Horizon is a cooperative that organises social activities and trips for seniors.

The group, which has 350 members, has nine trips lined up for next year. This is up from just three in 2012 - when the cooperative started with just 18 members.

"Many pre-organised tours try to give you value for money and pack too many activities in a day.

"You might land in Russia first thing in the morning after a 14-hour flight and you will go straight on a tour of the city," says Ms Lim.

"Ideally, we get flights which are well arranged and economical, then we can go to the hotel, rest, freshen up and take a tour in the afternoon."

Multi-generational tours, she says, are especially problematic.

In an effort to satisfy different generations, tours tend to favour younger people and include activities which involve climbing stairs or spending an afternoon at a theme park, during which older folks sit in a cafe and wait for the energetic youngsters to be done.

"For us, it's a lot more interesting to go shopping for traditional items, watch a cooking or handicraft demonstration or go for a massage. It's nice to be with the family but it's tiring," she says.

Dr Koay Siew Luan, a psychologist in her 60s, organises informal group trips for elderly blue-collar, single and widowed retirees who cannot afford expensive travel packages. She has organised one or two trips a year since 1999.

She plans every detail of the itinerary and negotiates discounts with travel agents for up to 42 travellers a year at no charge and goes along for the trip, paying the same amount as everyone else.

By organising the trips herself, she is able to get better rates, she says. The tours cost about $200 a person to Batam, less than $2,000 for trips within Asia and less than $3,000 for trips farther afield.

All the hard work she puts into the organisation is worth it as she gets to experience a new destination with senior travellers, she says.

"When I see lonely seniors transforming into happy individuals and interacting with one another, I feel delighted."