Portugal property owners have been advised to ensure their holiday home is ship-shape if they want to gain a share of the lucrative over-50s market.

Paul Green, spokesperson for 50+ travel agency Saga Holidays, claims those in older age categories are savvier when it comes to their choice of vacation accommodation, a fact which could work in favour of those with Portugal property.

Mr Green states: "There will be many people who will be looking for that bit of extra support and comfort […] [and] people in their 50s and 60s know what a good or bad hotel is like.

"Their money and their desires are something which will help drive up quality of service, accommodation and food standards."

He added that many travel companies fail to cater adequately to the needs of older clients, which could present an opportunity to those owning well-managed Potugal property.

Recently-published figures from GoLearnTo.com showed that the over-50s market accounts for 80 per cent of the UK’s wealth and 40 per cent of all consumer spending.

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