Senior Tourism Research Articles

It’s time to make a travel plan: senior tourists’ concerns in planning a leisure journey to the Azores

ABSTRACT The purpose of this paper is to research the main travel-related concerns that senior tourists face when planning a leisure trip. The study comprises 470 tourists, aged 55 or over, who visited the Azores and aims to determine the importance attributed to travel-related concerns and to investigate whether there is an association between socio-demographic characteristics, physical limitations, perceived economic performance, and social status and these concerns. It also intends to identify distinct market segments according to these variables. A quantitative approach allows concluding that senior tourists attach higher importance to the food supply, comfortable accommodation, and climate. Senior tourists are not a uniform market: three clusters were found, which have implications in product planning and development.

Disentangling customer delight: a needs-based analysis of senior tourists in hotels

ABSTRACT In today’s competitive environment, customer delight plays a crucial role in enhancing customer loyalty and positive word-of-mouth. This paper provides a needs-based analysis of customer delight in hotels among senior tourists, who represent an increasingly important target for the hospitality industry. A total of 38 senior tourists were interviewed. Data were collected utilizing the critical incident technique and analysed through text mining analysis. Four main dimensions of customer delight emerged from the study that represent the fulfilment of different needs: learning, authenticity, exclusivity, and sharing. These findings theoretically contribute to the understanding of guest delight from a senior tourist’s perspective and can help hotel managers to design delightful customer experiences.

Senior tourists’ motivations for visiting cultural destinations: a cluster approach

ABSTRACT This study sought to contribute to the existing knowledge of consumer psychology regarding senior tourism in cultural destinations by improving the existing understanding of seniors’ motivations and related psychological processes. The research objectives were to outline a model of senior tourists’ push and pull motivations, which includes their emotions and satisfaction in cultural destinations; to understand the selection process of tourist attractions and activities in these destinations; and to identify clusters of seniors based on their emotions and level of satisfaction during visits. A theoretical model was created to analyse motivations and travel factors. The data collected facilitated the identification of four senior tourist clusters based on sociodemographic and psychographic differences. Various theoretical and managerial implications are presented.

Editorial: advances in senior tourism research

ABSTRACT This editorial sought to highlight the relevance and potential of the senior tourism market; discuss shortcomings related to current aged-based segmentation approaches; and highlight the contributions made by each of the nine papers of this Special Issue on Senior Tourism. This editorial updated relevant data related to the senior tourism market, emphasizing todays characteristics of this segment. It points also directions for future research and concludes that this special issue makes a significant contribution to senior tourism research.

Enhancing the quality of life of senior tourists: a theoretical perspective

ABSTRACT The goal of this paper is to develop a theoretical perspective to better understand senior tourist behaviour. The perspective is guided by concepts from research on senior tourism, goal theory of leisure travel satisfaction, and socio-emotional selectivity theory. It examines four central principles: (1) selecting leisure travel goals that have high levels of positive valence, (2) selecting leisure travel goals that are very likely to be attained, (3) engaging in actions that would implement leisure travel goals, and (4) engaging in actions that would allow tourists to experience goal attainment. We describe these theoretical principles and sub-principles in relation to senior tourists to build a research agenda to encourage future research.

Improving senior tourism in the Mar Menor: an entrepreneurial viewpoint

ABSTRACT The senior tourism segment has acquired vital importance in the tourism industry and is characterized by longer stays, less seasonality and greater spending than other segments. There are, therefore, unexploited business opportunities with this kind of visitor. The purpose of this paper is to identify the link between the business opportunities within the framework of senior tourism and several factors linked to the hotel and catering and services industry. This research focuses on the Region of Murcia on the Spanish Mediterranean coast and analyses the factors that affect greater entrepreneurship level in this region. The results confirm that the environment, social and commercial networks and sustainability have significant effects on the recognition of opportunities.

Passengers’ behavioural intentions towards cruise port of call: evidence from senior tourists

ABSTRACT Previous literature has focused on identifying the behavioural intentions of the cruise passengers in the ports of call. Nevertheless, there is no prior experience in the senior passenger segment. The present study tries to verify hypotheses about the effects of the cruise passenger’s age regarding the intention to revisit and the intention of recommending the port of call. This study used a sample of 451 tourists who visited Malaga (Spain) on cruise stops during 2018–2019. The investigation applied both PLS-SEM algorithm and regression techniques. The results show that the senior segment has singular intentions to revisit and recommend the port of call and that these intentions have different antecedents compared to other segments.

Motivations of senior tourists: the case of the Azores Islands, Portugal

ABSTRACT Senior tourism is increasingly expanding. This quantitative and exploratory study aims to understand the motivations that drive elderly travellers to visit the Azores. The Senior Tourists Motivation Scale (STMS) was applied to 470 participants. Collected data were submitted to nonparametric tests. The results showed that: i) STMS items’ scores differ according to the type of tourist (national or foreign); ii) scores obtained in the three factors of the STMS differ between the two types of tourists, different age groups and levels of income perception. These findings may contribute in the future to the identification of market niches so that decision-makers can develop activities that suit these tourists’ needs and desires.

Tourism preferences of seniors and their impact on healthy ageing

ABSTRACT Our world is growing older at its fastest rate in history. This explosion in the ageing population has become increasingly attractive to the global tourism industry. Little attention has been paid to the impact of travel experiences on the health of senior tourists. This study explores the travel preferences of seniors and the health benefits that tourism can play. This study used a qualitative methodology interviewing 20 senior adults living in the UK aged between 55 and 80 years. The results identified two major themes relating to preferences in regard to time and travelling companions, and travelling for health purposes. Travel was found to have a positive influence on seniors and helped to contribute to a healthy lifestyle.

한국 노인관광객의 그룹 패키지 상품속성에 관한 연구

In Korea, tourism demand for elderly people is increasing due to an aging society. It is widely accepted that the following six product attributes are important in group package tours: tour guide services, accommodations, food services, transportation, tourist attractions, and shopping. This study investigated the effects of the six product attributes of group package tours on word-of-mouth in the context of senior group package tours. In addition, this study examined the differences of the six product attributes of group package tours based on senior tourists’ demographic characteristics. For this, data were collected from 331 elderly tourists who had traveled abroad on a package in Korea. The data analysis results indicated that tour guide services, accommodations, and food services aid to enhance word-of-mouth. In addition, the results of t-test and one-way ANOVA revealed that there were partially statistically significant differences in the product attributes of group package tours based on education level and marital status.

Assistance strategies for the information disadvantaged in the context of smart tourism—A study based on Dalian Tiger Beach scenic area

<p>It is pointed out that with the progress of social development and science and technology, people have entered the era of mass tourism. Tourism industry relies on information more and more, but there are still some groups who cannot obtain tourism information in time, cannot share the fruits of information society, and become information disadvantaged, which affects their own development and even the harmonious development of society. Taking the elderly tourist group in Dalian Tiger Beach Scenic Area as an example, we explored the tourism market assistance strategy for the elderly tourists group in the context of intelligent tourism by using literature analysis, SWOT posture analysis and questionnaire survey. The results of the study show that the elderly have low curiosity, distrust and operational barriers in the access to information, the operation of smart tourism devices and the application of tourism app. For this reason, it is proposed that the development and promotion of smart tourism should be strongly supported at the government level; at the level of scenic spots themselves, they should scientifically and rationally design tourism routes and use unique tourism resources to build a big data platform for senior tourism information to attract tourists; at the level of smart tourism APP design, application and security, they should strive for continuous improvement and active promotion to increase user experience and trust; at the level of information disadvantaged groups themselves At the level of improvement, they should actively accept and learn new things, improve their learning enthusiasm and keep pace with the times. </p>

Mining for silver: the role of micro-firm adaptive strategizing capabilities in harnessing senior tourism

ABSTRACT This research explores senior tourism adaptive strategizing capabilities through the lens of micro-firm owner managers. The findings derived from 24 qualitative tourism practitioner interviews demonstrated that senior tourism engagement does not necessitate a profound strategic change of direction or extensive resource reconfiguration. However, the strategic commercialization of this cohort remains under-utilized and findings perpetuated stereotypical assumptions regarding a lack of diversity within the senior market. Owner managers that actively embrace adaptive decision-making capabilities proactively target this market, whereas those with little strategic intent view senior tourism as a generic cohort of questionable commercial value. A thematic map positions the owner manager as a pivotal decision-maker within this strategic milieu and charts the trajectory of market alignment and resource transformation as a means of accessing the silver economy. Its adaptive ethos offers avenues for growth by creating bespoke authentic experiences, geared explicitly towards senior tourists as a heterogeneous cohort.

Accessible tourism: a bibliometric review (2008–2020)

Turismo accesible: una revisión bibliométrica (2008–2020)ObjetivoEl objetivo de este trabajo es revelar el proceso evolutivo del conocimiento, los puntos críticos de la investigación y las futuras tendencias de la literatura de investigación del turismo accesible del 2008 a 2020.Diseño/metodología/enfoqueDe la base de datos central de la red científica, se seleccionaron 213 artículos sobre turismo accesible y se analizaron utilizando citespace.ResultadosEn los 13 años transcurridos entre 2008 y 2020 se han realizado cada vez más publicaciones relacionadas con el turismo accesible, pero la base general sigue siendo pequeña. Las investigaciones incluyen principalmente seis módulos. Entre los institutos, la Universidad Tecnológica de Sídney a publicado el mayor número de investigaciones. La cooperación entre los países incluye a los Estados Unidos, Reino Unido, Australia, Portugal y China. La “Tourism Management” es la principal revista de investigación sobre el turismo accesible. Este artículo rediscute la definición de “turismo accesible” y el diferente alcance de este fenómeno. En los últimos años, la “experiencia” y la “participación” se han convertido en el “nuevo favorito” de las investigaciones sobre el turismo accesible, lo que podría revelar perspectivas con relación a la dirección de futuras investigaciones.Originalidad/valorEsta investigación combina la literatura relacionada con el turismo adulto mayor y personas con discapacidad, utiliza citespace para construir los datos y la visualización de la red, incluyendo un análisis dinámico y de ráfagas para el período cubierto por la muestra. Además, este documento propone un turismo accesible más diversificado.Palabras claveTurismo accesible, Personas con discapacidad, Adulto mayor, Bibliometría, CiteSpaceTipo de trabajoRevisiÓn de la literatura

Baby-boomers hitting the road: the paradoxes of the senior leisure tourism

ABSTRACT An increasing growth of older people has caused significant socioeconomic transformations for almost all sectors of society, including the tourism industry. In the last decades, older adults have become an important target group for the leisure tourism market on a global scale. It is estimated that older individuals, especially the representatives of the baby-boom generation, will be responsible for a relatively large share of all holiday spending, and that senior tourism will become the fastest and biggest potential driving force in the hospitality markets. Yet, senior tourism is still a marginal branch in aging and tourism studies. This article aims to address this gap by highlighting the complex nexus of recreational later-life mobility, active engagement and successful aging. It interrogates whether the senior tourism market liberates and empowers older adults, or further perpetuates age-related inequalities and reinforces consumerist pressures and the ideals of a good old age. To answer this question, it sheds light on the positive aspects of leisure travels in later life, such as an enhanced sense of well-being, happiness and psychological health. As a counterargument, the article shows how the senior leisure market, constructed around neoliberal Western notions of successful aging, further deepens discrimination among older adults.

Simulation-based service walkthrough (SBSW) to assess airport environment performance

PurposeThe increasing number of older passengers is resulted in a growing significance of international senior tourism industry. In today's competitive airport environments, improving the airport service performance (ASP) for older passengers is crucial to take an important place in the market. ASP design has been in the focal point of many researchers and airport stakeholders. However, the service performance evaluation regarding airport architectural design and use of older passengers have been mostly underrated.Design/methodology/approachThe study focused on ASP evaluation of architectural building elements. The proposed simulation-based service walkthrough (SBSW) was applied in a case airport building in Istanbul. Experts performed landside passenger activities to evaluate its ASP with a given walkthrough instruction. An empathic tool, GERonTologic age simulation (GERT) suit, was used to experience the physical limitations of older passengers during the experiment.FindingsResults showed that SBSW positively influenced experts' evaluation of ASP, where higher service problems were obtained. The GERT suit created a significant difference, where lower ASP scores and higher perceived empathy were observed within the group with the GERT suit. The study concluded that the proposed ASP criteria and SBSW could provide a useful research framework during service design of age-friendly airports.Originality/valueThe study addressed a novel area of enquiry by proposing a new set of ASP criteria for older passengers considering the airport architectural design and evaluating these criteria through a new empathic approach “SBSW”.

Classification of senior tourists according to personality traits

ABSTRACT This research aims to conduct a cross cultural study of Mainland Chinese and the United States (U.S.) seniors’ personality traits and identify how they affect motivation, preferences, sociodemographic, and travel-related characteristics. Using samples of 496 Mainland Chinese and 532 U.S. senior responses, this research determined that three personality traits (psychocentric, midcentric, and allocentric) described U.S. senior participants and two personality traits (psychocentric and midcentric) described Mainland Chinese senior participants. Using a series of analytical tools including one-way ANOVA, regression, independent sample t-test, and chi-square tests, differences between senior tourists’ personality traits and other variables were determined across U.S. and Mainland Chinese senior samples and across the measurement constructs. Practical implications are discussed and recommendations for future research are provided.

Senior tourists’ self-determined motivations, tour preferences, memorable experiences and subjective well-being: An integrative hierarchical model

The senior travel market continues to grow in size and market influence. Yet few studies have assessed the factors that influence individual choices, or travel experiences and outcomes as a whole. This study empirically examined the links between senior tourists’ self-determined motivations, tour preferences, memorable experiences, and life satisfaction as a result of travel. A hierarchical model was tested using data collected from Australian tourists aged 50 years and older who had participated in educational packaged tours. Study results revealed that many individuals derived a range of psychological benefits that remained with the traveller long after the actual trip had been completed. Memorable experiences and perceived benefits were found to meditate the relationships between motivations or tour preferences and the life satisfaction of the senior tourists. The study contributes to the tourism and hospitality field by extending our current knowledge of senior tourist experiences, and how these serve to enhance the eudaimonic dimension of their subjective well-being. The theoretical and practical implications of such are outlined, as are suggestions for future research.

Attributes of Senior-Friendly Tourism Destinations for Current and Future Senior Tourists: An Importance-Performance Analysis Approach

This study aims to identify the tourists’ expectation and satisfaction of destination attributes from the perspective of senior tourists in Malaysia. Two groups of tourists were chosen as the study sample, that is, future seniors (40–54 years old) and seniors (55 years old and above). It is hoped that, through recognizing and raising awareness on the need for equal traveling opportunities, senior tourists and future senior tourists will be encouraged to undertake more tourism activities. An importance-performance analysis (IPA) and paired sample t tests were employed to investigate senior tourists’ perceptions of senior-friendly destination attributes. Measures of destination attributes included the “4As” (i.e., attractions, accessibility, amenities, and ancillary services). The findings from a survey of 227 respondents revealed that the most important attributes for a senior-friendly destination are safety and cleanliness. Other attributes deemed important by senior tourists include the availability of leisure facilities and barrier-free public transportation. The findings also highlight attributes that tourism industry practitioners may use to improve tourists’ satisfaction and develop into competitive advantages against other tourist destinations. Both theoretical and practical implications of these important findings are discussed.

Commentary On Network Science Approach in Determining the Intellectual Structure, Emerging Trends and Future Research Opportunities-an Application to Senior Tourism Research

This article focuses the attention in a tourism market segment that is becoming more and more important as a result of the impact of demographic trends and ageing populations. Thus, taking senior tourism as the object under study, the aim of the article is to apply a bibliometric analysis to identify the intellectual structure and emerging trends during the last twenty years, and future research opportunities.

An analysis of the major factors shaping the tourism-related spending of senior citizens in Hungary

Ageing is one of the main social crises of the developed world. Predicted longer life expectancy and rising health mean that travel is playing a more decisive role in the ageing generation’s attitude to leisure time – even after retirement. The current study analyses the steep rise in senior tourism using multivariable methods to explore the characteristics of tourism spending by the 65s living in Hungary. Using the Hungarian Central Statistical Office’s (HCSO) dissemination database for 2009 to 2018, this study explores the characteristics of tourism spending as well as the factors influencing spending for seniors and all travellers. The structure of spending is evaluated using 17 types of spending and 12 travel dimensions. This study explores those factors that drive spending by Hungarian senior travellers that differ from those of average travellers. Exploring the features influencing tourism spending by the elderly taking multi-day domestic trips, we find that people over 65 spent a higher proportion on food, souvenirs and on the use of travel agents. Comparative study of the dimensions and outputs of multiday domestic trips found that four outputs generated a significant difference for all travellers and the elderly: those without a primary education (1), those living in settlements with between 2,000 and 5,000 inhabitants (2), those living in Heves County (3), and travellers to Veszprem County (4).