Golden years, global adventures: How Blackpool retirees stay connected while exploring the world on a budget

Nearly a quarter of retirees go on holiday five or more times each year reaping the reward of their working years. ONS figures show a 37% rise in spending by over 65s on trips abroad in last four years (from £4.5bn to £6.2bn).

But there are concerns when travelling on a fixed pension income. They still want to stay in touch with family (especially grandchildren) without unexpected costs.

Blackpool's globe-trotting retirees face post-Brexit bills

Staying connected is vitally important, either with family back in Blackpool or being able to call on medical advice. But with a fixed income, seniors want to know their bill will not suddenly change.

It is easy for travellers of any age to be confused around international roaming charges after Brexit. A two-week trip to Europe can now add £28 to a mobile bill for basic roaming alone, while travel to the US or Asia can result in even higher costs.

International roaming charges affect anyone – a retired Blackpool couple who want to keep in touch with their beloved grandchildren can pay between £7 and £15 per day – amounts that can quickly add up when on a break to popular destinations such as Spain, Portugal, Malta, Turkey or long-stay winter sun destinations.

Common connectivity pitfalls for retired travellers

A retired couple on a winter stay in Spain, or visiting adult children or grandchildren living abroad, or even enjoying a Mediterranean cruise with friends need to be aware of costs, hidden or otherwise.

Starting in March this year, the United Kingdom is no longer part of the EU roaming agreement, meaning travellers using mobile networks in other nations face additional charges

That means budgeting for a trip when on a pension needs to be carefully done. As well as traditional roaming charges, hotel and apartment WiFi are notoriously unreliable and trying to use a local SIM card comes with language barriers and unfamiliar systems.

eSIM can help - a digital SIM card which takes away the need for a physical SIM card and giving you much cheaper options.

Budget-friendly solutions for staying connected abroad

eSim works simply by allowing you to activate a mobile plan without swapping a physical SIM card. Yesim provides eSIMs which are activated by scanning a QR code or through a network provider's app – and you do not need to upgrade your phone.

Managing data is really simple. To activate a data plan, download the app, select your destination and pick a plan that meets your needs. There’s no need to visit a local store or call a support line — everything is done right from your phone. Once your plan is activated, you can use the data immediately

That means your important video calls with grandchildren will run seamlessly, while you can also easily access medical information when needed.

And if you find yourself a little lost, always possible in unfamiliar locations, you can take advantage of maps and navigation aids.

Yesim is one provider with senior-friendly features:

– Simple set-up process suitable for technology novices

– Coverage across popular retirement destinations

– Predictable costs for fixed-income budgeting

– Friendly customer support for those less comfortable with technology

Technology made simple for Blackpool's travelling retirees

The set-up with Yesim really is seamless:

1. Download the Yesim app from the App Store or Google Play.

2. Create an account using your email.

3. Choose a data plan for your destination.

4. After payment, scan the provided QR code in your phone’s settings to activate your eSIM.

Once installed, your phone will automatically connect to the best available network, ensuring smooth connectivity from the moment you land.

Making the right connectivity choice for your travel style

Sometimes you might be better to stick with your existing device, when on very short trips or if you have an older device without eSIM capability. You might also have the help of a family member to hand.

But if you can, take advantage of the great offers from providers like Yesim, it can make travel so much smoother.

Exploring the world with peace of mind in your golden years

Enjoy peace of mind with an eSim from Yesim and stay connected with family while travelling, safe in the knowledge that there will be no hidden costs, leaving your budget free for the fun things.

Download the Yesim app today and find out more about the possibilities on hand to make travel easier.