Grey nomads valuable in remote communities
Grey nomads keep rural towns alive and provide a much-needed boost to local economies, according to new research into such programs including a National Seniors Australia grey nomads program called INSTEP where seniors volunteer in regional Indigenous communities.
Researchers from the University of Western Sydney, the University of Technology Sydney and Volunteering Australia surveyed 314 grey nomads about their interests, goals and motivations for visiting regional areas.
They revealed that grey nomads are intensely social beings who welcome opportunities to meet local people and volunteer in the communities they visit.
Associate Professor Rosemary Leonard, from the Social Justice Social Change Research Group at the University of Western Sydney, said travelling retirees are an essential source of revenue for isolated outback towns and powerful volunteers.
“When travelling, Grey Nomads spend on average $386 per week on expenses such as food, petrol, accommodation sites and vehicle repairs,” says Associate Professor Leonard.
“If outback towns can attract the travelling retirees and persuade them to stay in the region for an extended period, the ‘grey dollar’ would be extremely beneficial for the local industries and the economy.”
