Senior Tourism Research Articles

Advancing self-congruity theory in senior tourism: a perspective on theoretical, methodological and contextual progress

Advancing self-congruity theory in senior tourism: a perspective on theoretical, methodological and contextual progress

Life-course biographical method in tourism and healthy ageing research: a structural guide for application

PurposeBuilding on the principles and theoretical perspectives of developmental psychology, the research aims to provide a structural guide for effectively applying the life-course biographical method to reveal seniors’ evolving psychological well-being in the context of tourism.Design/methodology/approachThrough the case study of senior tourist well-being involving 33 in-depth biographical interviews, with integrating criteria applied in conceptually related qualitative studies, this research focuses on the key issues of the quality of data, analysis procedure and trustworthiness strategies.FindingsDrawing on the life-course paradigm and hermeneutic phenomenology, this research contributes to a structural guide for applying the life-course biographical method in advancing the conceptual understanding of senior tourist well-being through a developmental lens. The guide includes strategies for information power, a three-stage interview procedure and a rigorous analytical framework to ensure data quality and trustworthiness. Using this guide, the study proposes an integrative framework for senior tourist well-being across the life course, highlighting the nuanced and evolving psychological needs and well-being derived from tourism experiences.Originality/valueThis research advocates moving beyond traditional cross-sectional approaches in tourism studies by emphasizing the dynamic interplay between life-course events and the psychological well-being of senior tourists. It provides valuable insights for tourism managers and marketers, offering strategies to harness the therapeutic potential of tourism and contribute to the global healthy ageing agenda.

Research methods for aging populations in tourism and hospitality: a systematic review and critical reflection

PurposeThis study aims to systematically review and critically assess research methods for studying aging populations in tourism and hospitality. It identifies gaps and provides recommendations for advancing methodological innovation in response to emerging research agendas.Design/methodology/approachFollowing Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we conducted a systematic review of existing literature on aging populations in tourism and hospitality. Searches were performed in major databases, including Scopus and Web of Science, to collect peer-reviewed, English articles published in Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI)-indexed tourism and hospitality journals from 1965 to 2025. The methodologies employed in the selected studies were thoroughly analyzed.FindingsA total of 184 articles were included in the final analysis. The review revealed that current research methods predominantly rely on surveys and interviews, with limited methodological diversity. Gaps were identified, and a conceptual model was proposed to advance cross-disciplinary integration and foster innovative methods that could more comprehensively capture the complexities of senior tourists, particularly those with health conditions.Originality/valueThis paper is likely the first to synthesize research methodologies within this specific context, outlining a path forward for researchers to adopt more innovative, multidisciplinary approaches. This study lays the foundation for future empirical investigations into the behaviors and experiences of senior tourists, as well as the potential role of tourism in promoting healthy aging. Additionally, it provides valuable insights for tourism marketing practitioners to better accommodate this growing segment.

Age tourism: going beyond health and "triple S" tourism toward a new request of journey.

For many decades, the large part of developed countries has been experiencing the progressive ageing of their populations. This quantitative change is also accompanied by a qualitative shift in social representations of the third age. Within these changes, a fundamental role is played by the desire to experience opportunities for socializing, leisure, and culture that can shape a new and more complex concept of well-being. Within this context, tourism experience plays a crucial role. The focus is therefore on the new characteristics of senior tourism and the conditions under which it can represent a full and satisfying experience, going beyond the classic offerings of "sun, sand, and sea" or medical tourism. To this end, a qualitative study was conducted, revealing a typology of individuals that can serve as a useful reference for the tourism market to diversifying its offerings.

Bridging the Digital Divide: The Role of Social Media and Influencers in Senior Tourists’ Brand Loyalty

This study explores the relationship between brand experience, social media use, social media influencers, and brand loyalty among senior travellers. As the global population ages, senior travellers are emerging as a significant and expanding market segment within the tourism industry. This demographic shift necessitates greater attention from the tourism sector. Using a quantitative approach, this research employs a structured questionnaire to collect data from senior travellers. The findings indicate that brand experience, social media use, and social media influencers significantly impact brand loyalty in senior tourism. Furthermore, the study offers strategic insights for brand managers targeting senior travellers. To enhance market competitiveness and foster brand loyalty, companies should prioritise delivering high-quality brand experiences and leveraging social media platforms and influencer marketing strategies. Finally, the study identifies areas for future research on brand loyalty among senior travellers.

Effects of Travel Companions on Tourism Experience, Tourism Satisfaction and Well-being of Senior Tourists

Effects of Travel Companions on Tourism Experience, Tourism Satisfaction and Well-being of Senior Tourists

Service Innovation Model on Memorable Tourism Experiences for Active Elderly Walking Route: A Service Design Perspective

With the global population aging, a growing number of retired seniors seek meaningful and enriching tourism experiences that align with their interests and life stage. This study investigates the factors contributing to memorable tourism experiences (MTEs) for active elderly, using the MTE scale, which encompasses seven dimensions: hedonism, refreshment, meaningfulness, local culture, involvement, knowledge, and novelty. Focusing on walking routes in Tainan, this research explores how these dimensions shape the experiences of active elderly. Data was collected through questionnaires, interviews, and participant observations, targeting active elderly aged 65 to 74. The findings reveal that knowledge acquisition, cultural immersion, and personal fulfillment are the most valued elements. Sensory engagement and interaction with knowledgeable tour guides were noted as critical factors enhancing the memorability of experiences. Participants expressed a desire for longer, reflective tours that balance cognitive stimulation with physical needs. This study addresses the gap in research on senior tourism, particularly in designing tailored services for active elderly. The research provides insights into the role of service design in creating personalized tourism experiences that meet the aspirations of this demographic. These findings contribute to both the academic understanding of memorable tourism and practical guidelines for the tourism industry to enhance cultural tourism offerings for active retirees

Senior tourism: a systematic review and research agenda

Senior tourism: a systematic review and research agenda

Analyzing the Constraints to Senior Tourism

Analyzing the Constraints to Senior Tourism

Impacts of population aging on tourism development in China: direct, indirect and spatial perspectives

ABSTRACT The increase in global life expectancy and population aging profoundly affect tourism development. This study examines the direct and indirect impacts of population aging on tourism development using China’s provincial panel data (2003–2022) and the China Family Panel Studies (2014, 2016, 2018 and 2020). A two-way fixed econometric model and the spatial Durbin model are applied to account for the distinct structures of the datasets. The results show that population aging positively influences tourism development, both directly and indirectly, through labour supply and consumer demand. The heterogeneity analysis reveals that tourism enterprises, Eastern regions, and higher education have significant and positive moderation effects between population aging and tourism development. Population aging also exhibits significant and negative spatial spillover effects on tourism development. This study provides a unified framework to explore the relationship between aging and tourism development, offering new insights into senior tourism and its implications for China’s population aging.

Can Tourists’ Summer Vacations Save Energy and Reduce CO2 Emissions? Evidence from China

This study develops a methodological framework for measuring energy conservation and CO2 emission reductions that considers both origins and destinations. The framework encompasses four key aspects: transportation, accommodation, cooking, and housing rehabilitation. Data were collected through a literature review, questionnaire surveys, and field measurement tracking. Compared to living in the origin, senior tourists from Nanchang visiting Zhongyuan Township in China for summer tourism can save 5.747 MJ of energy and reduce CO2 emissions by 3.303 kg per capita per day. An in-depth analysis indicated that the research site could further enhance energy conservation and reduce CO2 emissions by improving public transportation services, optimizing the energy structure of the destination, and diversifying the available recreational offerings. Depending on the characteristics of the destination and the primary origin, summer or winter tourism in various countries or regions can employ the methodological framework to evaluate energy conservation and CO2 emission reductions after identifying specific parameters. The improved pathways identified through this research can serve as a checklist for other countries or regions aiming to explore energy conservation and CO2-emission-reduction pathways for summer or winter tourism. Enhancing climate-driven tourism development may offer a new avenue for the tourism industry to contribute to carbon reduction targets.

Driving towards the future: Investigating senior tourist acceptance factors of autonomous vehicles in travel and tourism

This paper investigates the role of autonomous vehicles in transforming mobility and tourism. By extending the understanding of self-driving cars within a tourism context, this paper enhances the Automation Acceptance Model and tests the effects of underexplored variables in tourism studies, such as social influence, prior knowledge, and openness to change as a moderator. Data were collected through a survey method, and responses from 269 participants were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). These results suggest that while the extension of the theoretical model is informative, the insignificance of six of the proposed hypotheses calls for deeper investigation in other contexts concerning user acceptance behaviors. This opens new directions for further research, particularly with regard to age, perceived safety, and the level of trust in the technology. The paper concludes with practical implications to help increase the acceptance of autonomous vehicles among senior tourists, discusses limitations, and provides recommendations for future investigation in this rapidly evolving area.

Tourism experiences and healthy aging: extending the successful aging model

PurposeThe surge in the older population has gained significant interest within the tourism sector worldwide. Little empirical research has been conducted to examine the role of tourism experiences on older adults’ healthy aging. Based on Rowe and Kahn’s (1987) successful aging model, this study utilized a qualitative approach to examine the health benefits that tourism can play for seniors.Design/methodology/approachA total of 19 interviews were conducted with senior adults living in Macau aged over 60. Thematic analysis was employed for data analysis.FindingsThe results demonstrate that the tourism experience contributes to healthy aging in three ways: first, nature-based tourism benefits seniors’ physical health; second, the social interactions with friends, relatives, locals and fellow travelers during tourism activities benefit seniors' emotional well-being and third, transcendent tourism experiences can exhibit positive spirituality among seniors.Originality/valueThis paper not only enriches the theoretical and empirical studies on tourism and healthy aging but also puts forward relevant empirical suggestions to destination marketing organizations that target the senior tourist market.

Exploring Revisit Intentions of Senior Tourists in Rural Tourism

Exploring Revisit Intentions of Senior Tourists in Rural Tourism

Untangling the smart tourism technostress enigma: assessing the effects of smart technology-related stressors on smart tourism avoidance behaviors in senior tourists

ABSTRACT This study employs the Stressor-Strain-Outcome theory and investigates the influence of senior tourist’s technostress, travel stains, and their avoidance behaviors towards smart tourism technologies (STTs). Results indicated that four distinct types of smart tourism technostressors have significant impacts on the smart tourism avoidance behaviors of senior tourists, and these direct relationships were mediated by travel anxiety, travel fatigue, and travel technophobia. Furthermore, Smart device literacy moderates the construction of smart tourism avoidance behavior. These findings deepened the understanding of the detrimental effects of STTs among senior tourists, with practical implications for STTs acceptance, development, and sustainability.

Exploring uncharted digital horizons: Role of internet self-efficacy in shaping the destination preferences of senior tourists

Exploring uncharted digital horizons: Role of internet self-efficacy in shaping the destination preferences of senior tourists

A motivation-based study to explain accommodation choice of senior tourists: Hotel or Airbnb

A motivation-based study to explain accommodation choice of senior tourists: Hotel or Airbnb

Exploring Senior Tourists' Technological Experiences: Based on Embodied Cognitive Theory

ABSTRACTThe global aging population brings a growing senior tourist market. This study applies embodied cognitive theory and grounded theory to explore how senior tourists' technological experiences are formed in three travel stages. Twenty‐five in‐depth interviews were conducted with senior tourists aged 55–82. Three main components of embodied technological experiences were found, namely the characteristics of senior tourists, tourism contexts, and technological cognition. Characteristics affect technological cognition and how seniors react in specific tourism contexts. Tourism contexts play a stimulating role in motivating senior tourists to participate in different tourism activities. Technological cognition reflects personal characteristics and factors that influence technological usage. It proposes meaningful insights that can inspire tourism suppliers to enhance senior tourists' overall technological experience.

Several intuitionistic fuzzy hamy mean operators with complex interval values and their application in assessing the quality of tourism services.

In order to assess the quality of senior tourism services in vacation destinations, we examine complex interval valued intuitionistic Fuzzy Dombi Hamy Mean (CIVIFDHM) operators. These operators successfully manage imprecision and uncertainty in the preferences of senior tourists. However, the Hamy mean (HM) operator can identify the connections between various input data sets and produce excellent outcomes when combining and evaluating information. We illustrate their usefulness and efficacy through a case study, providing a strong instrument for improving service quality for senior citizens and promoting an inclusive and fulfilling travel experience. In this work, we develop the HM operator and Dombi operations with Complex interval valued intuitionistic fuzzy numbers (CIVIFNs). We recommend the CIVIFDHM operator, complex interval valued intuitionistic fuzzy weighted Dombi Hamy mean (CIVIFWDHM), complex interval valued intuitionistic fuzzy dual Dombi Hamy mean (CIVIFDDHM), and complex interval valued intuitionistic fuzzy weighted dual Dombi Hamy mean (CIVIFWDD) operators. Next, multiple attribute decision making (MADM) models are constructed with the help of CIVIFWDHM and CIVIFWDDHM operators. We provided an evaluation of an older tourism operator in a tourist area as an example to show the suggested models.

Taking Advantage of Their Seniority: How the Misbehavior of Senior Tourists Influence Young Adults’ Prosocial Behavior Towards Them

Although the senior tourism sector is widely recognized as a growing market, misbehaviors by elderly tourists is an under researched issue within the field of tourism. This paper offers insights into inappropriate behaviors by senior tourists and explores the responses of young adults toward such instances of misbehavior. Through a multimethod approach, we reveal that the intentional (vs. unintentional) misbehavior by senior tourists results in reduced prosocial behavior in young adults. The social class signifiers of senior tourists who intentionally misbehave significantly influence the responses of young adults, with those perceived to be of a high social class drawing harsher judgements. This effect holds for young adults with high benevolent ageism but is constrained by low benevolent ageism in young adults. Our findings extend the application of expectancy violation theory and moral foundations theory to tourist misbehaviors and we conclude by offering suggestions for improving intergenerational relationships at tourist destinations.