For a growing number of Australians, retirement represents more than just a financial milestone. It is also the point when long-awaited travel plans move from bucket lists to the booking stages.
This shift is creating a significant opportunity for the travel industry, with the Retirement, Leisure & Health Expo set to bring together a collection of cruise lines, tour operators and travel businesses alongside health and wellbeing providers, financial planners and community organisations at Sydney’s Rosehill Gardens Racecourse.
The two-day event is expected to attract more than 5,000 over 50s from November 14-15, 2026, offering exhibitors the chance to showcase products and destinations, promote exclusive offers and engage directly with consumers seeking inspiration and advice on how to make the most of their newfound freedom.
Founder Marc Bineham believes the retirement planning space is an opportunity that the travel industry should pay more attention to.
“Retirees have time, confidence and money to explore,” Bineham said. “The question isn’t whether they want to travel. The question is where is the travel industry meeting them during that planning journey?”
Exhibitor expressions of interest for the Retirement, Leisure & Health Expo are now open for 2026.
A rapidly expanding market
Australia’s over 50s represent one of the country’s fastest-growing and most valuable travel markets. With greater financial security, more flexibility and a wealth of time to travel, many retirees are prioritising experiences and planning longer, more meaningful journeys.
For travel professionals, that can translate into opportunities to promote longer holidays, premium products and bucket-list itineraries, all while building relationships with highly engaged, potential repeat customers.
The Retirement, Leisure & Health Expo aims to bring travel businesses into the conversation earlier in the decision-making process, before travellers have settled on a destination, product or provider.
The event also brings together complementary businesses across finance, health, wellbeing and lifestyle, creating opportunities for long-term partnerships beyond the event.
Travel exhibitors have the opportunity to showcase products and destinations, launch Expo-only travel offers, deliver educational presentations and build long-term brand awareness among consumers actively planning their next chapter.
Building enduring connections
Bineham said that in-person connection is another key drawcard for exhibitors.
“In a world dominated by digital marketing, Australians aged 50-plus still value face-to-face trust and personal connection,” he said.
Businesses that engage with this market earlier in the retirement planning journey have an opportunity to build stronger relationships that drive future bookings.
Long term, Bineham has ambitions to expand the Expo nationally, transforming it into the country’s leading retirement lifestyle event.
“Our vision has never been to create another finance expo or another travel show. Instead, we’re building Australia’s first consumer event that reflects the complete retirement journey,” Bineham said.
With travel increasingly forming part of the retirement planning conversation, the Retirement, Leisure & Health Expo is calling on cruise lines, tour operators, travel advisors, destinations and other travel businesses to become exhibitors and connect directly with Australians planning the holidays they’ve spent a lifetime looking forward to.
