Because of new government anti-discrimination legislation, Saga holidays, the company offering holidays for the over 50s may have to admit younger people as well. For many years Saga have offered holidays to the over 50’s market, including cruises & and coach trips. However, new legislation banning all discrimination in the provision of goods and services, including on grounds of age, means that Saga may be forced to open its doors to people of all ages. The single equality act, designed to end discrimination of all forms, is to be introduced by ministers in June.
From June, Saga will be forced to offer all its services, including cruises, coach trips, touring holidays and financial products to people of all ages. This of course, is unless ministers decide to make Saga a special case and rule some services exempt, a decision that Saga bosses have lodged an appeal in hope for.
Saga insiders hope that “a common sense” approach can be taken amid fears that if Saga are bound by the legislation then the company would be in danger of going under, with few senior citizens willing to share a holidays with a younger generation.
Paul Green, Saga’s communication chief, said: “There’s a danger from blunderbuss legislation. It could bring to an end older people enjoying discounts.” Another statement from Saga claims: One must question whether Saga as a business could survive if it is forced to abandon its ethos, its branding so painstakingly built up, and to suffer the inevitable perturbation of its local customer base.”
