Towards a deeper understanding of senior touristschallenges and opportunities of an emerging market segment

  1. BALDERAS CEJUDO, MARÍA ADELA 1
  1. 1 Instituto Oxford sobre Envejecimiento Poblacional, Universidad de Oxford, Inglaterra.
Revista:
Revista Internacional de Turismo, Empresa y Territorio. RITUREM

ISSN: 2530-7134

Año de publicación: 2024

Volumen: 8

Número: 1

Páginas: 121-138

Tipo: Artículo

DOI: 10.21071/RITUREM.V8I1.17379 DIALNET GOOGLE SCHOLAR lock_openDialnet editor

Otras publicaciones en: Revista Internacional de Turismo, Empresa y Territorio. RITUREM

Resumen

The world’s population is ageing with virtually every country in the world experiencing growth in the number and proportion of older people in the population (United Nations, 2015). The number of over 60s has risen by a third over the last decade, making this the fastest growing consumer segment (Euromonitor, 2017). This fast growth of the ageing population is set to become a major lead market for many and various sectors and makes this group a segment not to be overlooked. The market for senior tourists already represents a key economic segment. It has drawn increasing attention from researchers in the past decade (Patterson, 2006), with a growing recognition that they place travel and tourism high on the list of their priorities when they retire (Statts and Pierfelice, 2003; Balderas-Cejudo et al., 2016). Nevertheless, the travel industry has been criticized for failing to recognize the diversity of travel preferences required to attract, connect and market to seniors. This article provides an analysis of the literature on the socio- demographics of seniors, discusses different trends and shifts in their leisure behaviour, and draws implications for the tourism and hospitality industry. The literature presented in this review was identified through multiple sources including the use of a range of tourism databases and tracking citations from the research literature. This paper aims to review these issues within the tourism and population ageing literature to ascertain (1) shifting trends in silver travelers and (2) how tourism providers need to respond to seniors changing needs and wants. Keywords: Seniors, tourism, hospitality, ageing, market segment.  

Referencias bibliográficas

  • Alén, E., Nicolau, J. L., Losada, N., & Domínguez, T. (2014). Determinant factors of senior tourists’ length of stay. Annals of Tourism Research, 49, 19-32.
  • Alen, E., Losada, N., & De Carlos, P. (2017). Understanding tourist behaviour of senior citizens: lifecycle theory, continuity theory and a generational approach. Ageing & Society, 37(7), 1338-1361.
  • Anderson, B., and Langmeyer, L. (1982). The under-50 and over-50 travellers: a profile of similarities and differences. Journal of Travel Research, 20, 20–24.
  • Bai, X., Jang, S., Cai, L. A., & O’Leary, J. (2001). Modeling travel mode choice of international travelers. Journal of Hospitality and Leisure Marketing, 8(3/4), 147-168.
  • Balderas -Cejudo, A., Rivera-Hernaez, O., & Patterson, I. (2016). The Strategic Impact of Country of Origin on Senior Tourism Demand: the Need to Balance Global and Local Strategies. Journal of Population Ageing, 9(4), 345-373.
  • Baloglu, S., & Shoemaker, S. (2001). Prediction of senior travelers’ motorcoach use from demographic, psychological, and psychographic characteristics. Journal of Travel Research, 40(1), 12-18.
  • Blazey, M. A. (1992). Travel and retirement status. Annals of Tourism Research, 19(4), 771- 783.
  • Boksberger, P. E., & Laesser, C. (2009). Segmentation of the senior travel market by the means of travel motivations. Journal of Vacation Marketing, 15(4), 311-322.
  • Buhalis, D. (2000). Marketing the competitive destination of the future. Tourism management, 21(1), 97-116.
  • Carrigan, M., Szmigin, I., & Wright, J. (2004). Shopping for a better world? An interpretive study of the potential for ethical consumption within the older market. The Journal of Consumer Marketing, 21, 6.
  • Chen, H. W. J. (2009). Baby boomers’ and seniors’ domestic travel motivations: An examination of citizens in Tainan, Taiwan (Master's thesis, University of Waterloo).
  • Chen, C. F., & Wu, C. C. (2008). How motivations, constraints, and demographic factors predict seniors. Asia Pacific Management Review, 14(3), 301–312.
  • Chen, K. H., Chang, F. H., & Wu, C. (2013). Investigating the wellness tourism factors in hot spring hotel customer service. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 25(7), 1092-1114.
  • Cleaver, M., T. E. Muller, H. Ruys, and S. Wei (1999). Tourism product development for the senior market, Based on travel-motive research. Tourism Recreation Research, 24 (1), 5-11.
  • Dann, S. (2007). Branded generations: Baby boomers moving into the seniors market.Journal of Product & Brand Management, 16(6), 429–431.
  • Esiyok, B., Kurtulmuşoğlu, F. B., & Özdemir, A. (2018). Heterogeneity in the determinants of length of stay across middle age and senior age groups in thermal tourism. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 35(4), 531-540.
  • Euromonitor International (2017). Old is the New Young. http://www.euromonitor.com/oldis-the-new-young-how-global-consumers-are-challenging-ageing/report
  • European Summit on Innovation for Active and Healthy Ageing Final Report (2015), Brussels 9-10 March 2015 http://ec.europa.eu/research/innovation-union/pdf/active- healthyageing/silvereco.pdf
  • Faranda, W. T., & Schmidt, S. L. (2000). Segmentation and the senior traveller: Implications for today’s and tomorrow’s aging consume. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 8(2), 3–27.
  • Ferrer, J. G., Sanz, M. F., Ferrandis, E. D., McCabe, S., & García, J. S. (2016). Social tourism and healthy ageing. International Journal of Tourism Research, 18(4), 297-307.
  • Fleischer, A., & Pizam, A. (2002). Tourism constraints among Israeli seniors. Annals of Tourism Research, 29(1), 106–123.
  • Gillon, S. (2004). Boomer nation. The Largest and Richest Generation Ever and How I Changed America, 2004.
  • González, A. M., Rodríguez, C., Miranda, M. R., & Cervantes, M. (2009). Cognitive age as a criterion explaining senior tourists´ motivations. International Journal of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research, 3(2), 148–164
  • Guinn, R. (1980). Elderly recreational vehicle tourists: Motivations for leisure. Journal of Travel Research, 19(1), 9-12.
  • Gump, B. B., & Matthews, K. A. (2000). Are vacations good for your health? The 9-year mortality experience after the multiple risk factor intervention trial. Psychosomatic Medicine, 62(5), 608-612.
  • Harper, S. (2014). “Introduction: conceptualizing social policy for the twenty-firscenturydemography”. In Harper, S., and Hamblin, K. (Eds.). (2014). International Handbook on Ageing and Public Policy (pp. 1-9). Edward Elgar Publishing.
  • Hong, G.-S., Kim, S. Y., & Lee, J. (1999). Travel expenditure patterns of elderly households in the US. Tourism Recreation Research, 24(1), 43–52.
  • Horneman, L., Carter, R. W., Wei, S., & Ruys, H. (2002). Profiling the senior traveler: An Australian perspective. Journal of Travel Research, 41, 23–37
  • Howse, K (2014). Perspective on the challenges of population ageing. In Harper, S., and Hamblin, K. (Eds.). International Handbook on Ageing and Public Policy (pp. 13–20). Edward Elgar Publishing. Hsu, C. H., Cai, L. A., & Wong, K. K. (2007). A model of senior tourism motivations— Anecdotes from Beijing and Shanghai. Tourism Management, 28(5), 1262-1273.
  • Huang, L., & Tsai, H. T. (2003). The study of senior traveler behavior in Taiwan. Tourism Management, 24(5), 561-574.
  • Huber, D., Milne, S., & Hyde, K. F. (2018). Constraints and facilitators for senior tourism. Tourism Management Perspectives, 27, 55-67.
  • Jang, S. S., & Ham, S. (2009). A double-hurdle analysis of travel expenditure: Baby boomer seniors versus older seniors. Tourism Management, 30(3), 372-380.
  • Jang, S., Bai, B., Hu, C., & Wu, C. M. E. (2009). Affect, travel motivation, and travel intention: A senior market. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research, 33(1), 51-73.
  • Jang, S., & Wu, C.-M. (2006). Seniors’ travel motivation and the influential factors: An examination of Taiwanese seniors. Tourism Management, 27, 306–316.
  • Javalgi, R. G., Thomas, E. G., & Rao, S. R. (1992). Consumer behavior in the US pleasure travel marketplace:An analysis of senior and nonsenior travellers. Journal of Travel Research, 31(2), 14–19.
  • Khan, H. T. (2014). Factors associated with intergenerational social support among older adults across the world. Ageing International, 39(4), 289-326.
  • Kitchenham, B. (2004). Procedures for performing systematic reviews. Keele, UK, Keele University, 33(2004), 1-26.
  • Kim, H., Woo, E., & Uysal, M. (2015). Tourism experience and quality of life among elderly tourists. Tourism management, 46, 465-476.
  • La Placa, V., & Corlyon, J. (2014). Social tourism and organised capitalism: Research, policy and practice. Journal of Policy Research in Tourism, Leisure and Events, 6(1), 66–79.
  • Le Serre, D. (2008). Who is the senior consumer for the tourism industry. Amfiteatru economic, 10(special 2), 195-206.
  • Lee, S. H., & Tideswell, C. (2005). Understanding attitudes towards leisure travel and the constraints faced by senior Koreans. Journal of Vacation Marketing, 11(3), 249-263.
  • Lefrancois, R., Leclerc, G., & Poulin, N. (1997). Predictors of activity involvement among older adults. Activities, Adaptation & Aging, 22(4), 15-29.
  • Lehto, X. Y., O'leary, J. T., & Lee, G. (2002). Mature international travelers: An examination of gender and benefits. Journal of Hospitality & Leisure Marketing, 9(1-2), 53-72.
  • Lohmann, M., & Danielsson, J. (2001). Predicting travel patterns of senior citizens: How the past may provide a key to the future. Journal of vacation marketing, 7(4), 357-366.
  • Martin, L.G., & Preston, S. H. (1994). Demography of aging. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.
  • Mathur, A., Sherman, E., & Schiffman, L. G. (1998). Opportunities for marketing travel services to new-age elderly. Journal of Services Marketing, 12(4), 265-277.
  • McGuire, F., & Norman, W. (2005). The role of constraints in successful aging: Inhibiting or enabling. Constraints to leisure, 89-101.
  • Meiners, N., & Seeberger, B. (2010). Marketing to senior citizens: Challenges and opportunities. The Journal of Social, Political, and Economic Studies, 35(3), 293–328.
  • Meggiolaro, S., & Ongaro, F. (2015). Life satisfaction among older people in Italy in a gender approach. Ageing & Society, 35(7), 1481-1504.
  • Mélon, M., Agrigoroaei, S., Diekmann, A., & Luminet, O. (2018). The holiday-related predictors of wellbeing in seniors. Journal of Policy Research in Tourism, Leisure and Events, 1-20.
  • Milman, A. (1998). The impact of tourism and travel experience on senior travelers' psychological well-being. Journal of Travel Research, 37(2), 166-170.
  • Möller, C., Weiermair, K., & Wintersberger, E. (2007). The changing travel behaviourof Austria’s ageing population and its ipact on tourism. Tourism Review, 62(3/4), 15–20.
  • Moschis, G. P. (1992). Marketing to older consumers: A handbook of information for strategy development. Greenwood Publishing Group.
  • Moschis, G. P., Lee, E., and Mathur, A. (1997). Targeting the mature market: opportunities and challenges. Journal of Consumer Marketing, 14(4), 282-293.
  • Neledea, A. (2008). The Demographic Ageing and Consumer Market.Analele Universitatii Din Oradea, 1010.
  • Neugarten, B.L. (1968) The awareness of middle age. In: Neugarten, B.L. (ed.) Middle Age and Ageing. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago, Illinois, pp. 93–98.
  • Nielsen, K. (2014). Approaches to seniors’ tourist behaviour. Tourism review, 69(2), 111- 121.
  • Nimrod, G. (2008). Retirement and tourism themes in retirees’ narratives. Annals of tourism research, 35(4), 859-878.
  • Nimrod, G., & Rotem, A. (2012). An exploration of the innovation theory of successful ageing among older tourists. Ageing & Society, 32(3), 379-404.
  • Orimo, H., Ito, H., Suzuki, T., Araki, A., Hosoi, T., & Sawabe, M. (2006). Reviewing the definition of “elderly”. Geriatrics & gerontology International, 6(3), 149-158.
  • Patterson, I. (2006). Growing older. Tourism and leisure behaviour of older adults. Oxfordshire, UK: CABI.
  • Patterson, I. (2012). Baby boomer travel market is on the increase. Journal of Tourism and Hospitality, 1(5), 2167-0269.
  • Patterson, I. (2018). Tourism and leisure behaviour in an ageing world. Oxfordshire: CABI.
  • Patterson, I., & Balderas, A. (2018). Continuing and Emerging Trends of Senior Tourism: A Review of the Literature. Journal of Population Ageing, 1-15.
  • Paxson, M. (2009). Boomer boom for hospitality: Opportunities and challenges. Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management, 18(1), 89-98.
  • Pederson, E. B. (1994). Future seniors and the travel industry. Hospitality Review, 12(2), 6.
  • Pennigton-Gray, L., & Lane, C. (2001). Profiling the silent generation. Journal of Hospitality and Leisure Marketing, 9(1/2), 73-95.
  • Pearce, P. L. (1999). Touring for pleasure: Studies of the senior self-drive travel market. Tourism Recreation Research, 24(1), 35-42.
  • Pine, B. J., Pine, J., & Gilmore, J. H. (1999). The experience economy: work is theatre & every business a stage. Harvard Business Press
  • Prayag, G. (2012). Senior travelers’ motivations and future behavioral intentions: The case of nice. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 29(7), 665-681.
  • Prideaux, B., Wei, S., & Ruys, H. (2001). The senior drive tour market in Australia. Journal of Vacation Marketing, 7(3), 209-219.
  • Reece, W. (2004). Are senior leisure travelers different? Journal of Travel Research, 43, 11– 18.
  • Richards, G. (1999). Vacations and the quality of life: Patterns and structures. Journal of Business Research, 44(3), 189–198. doi:10.1016/S0148-2963(97)00200-2
  • Ritchie, J., Lewis, J., Nicholls, C. M., & Ormston, R. (Eds.). (2013). Qualitative research practice: A guide for social science students and researchers. sage.
  • Ruys, H., & Wei, S. (2001). Senior tourism. In N. Douglas, N. Douglas, & R. Derrett (Eds.), Special interest tourism. Australia: John Wiley and Sons.
  • Sedgley, D., Pritchard, A., & Morgan, N. (2011). Tourism and ageing: A transformative research agenda. Annals of Tourism Research, 38(2), 422–436.
  • Shoemaker, S. (1989). Segmentation of the senior pleasure travel market. Journal of travel research, 27(3), 14-21.
  • Shoemaker, S. (2000). Segmenting the mature market: 10 years later. Journal of Travel Research, 39, 11–26.
  • Sie L., Patterson I., and Pegg S., (2015) Towards an understanding of older adult educational tourism through the development of a three-phase integrated framework. Current Issues in Tourism 19(2): 100–136
  • Silvers, C. (1997). Smashing old stereotypes of 50-plus America. Journal of Consumer Marketing, 14(4), 303–309.
  • Sirgy, M. J., Kruger, P. S., Lee, D. J., & Yu, G. B. (2011). How does a travel trip affect tourists’ life satisfaction?. Journal of Travel research, 50(3), 261-275.
  • Staats, S., & Pierfelice, L. (2003). Travel: A long-range goal of retired women. The Journal of Psychology, 137(5), 483-494
  • Szmigan, I., & Carrigan, M. (2001). Learning to love the older consumer. Journal of Consumer Behaviour,1(1), 22–34.
  • Thompson, N. J., & Thompson, K. E. (2009). Can marketing practice keep up with Europe's ageing population?European Journal of Marketing, 43(11/12), 1281-1288.
  • Tung, V. W. S., & Ritchie, J. B. (2011). Investigating the memorable experiences of the senior travel market: An examination of the reminiscence bump. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 28(3), 331–343.
  • United Nations (2010). Department of Economic and Social Affairs. World population ageing 2009 (Vol. 295).United Nations Publications.
  • United Nations (2013) World population ageing. Department of Economic and Social Affairs Population Division. Retrieved at: http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/ageing/WorldPopu lationAgeing2013.pdf (Accessed 8th August, 2018).
  • United Nations (2015). Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. World Population Ageing 2015 (ST/ESA/SER.A/390).
  • Wang, K. C., Chen, J. S., & Chou, S. H. (2007). Senior tourists' purchasing decisions in group package tour. Anatolia, 18(1), 23-42.
  • Wei, S., & Milman, A. (2002). The impact of participation in activities while on vacation on seniors' psychological well-being: A path model application. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research, 26(2), 175-185.
  • Whitford, M. (1998). Market in motion. Hotel and Motel Management.
  • World Tourism Organisation (2001), Tourism 2020 Vision. Volume 7: Global Forecast and Profiles of market Segments.
  • Uysal, M., Sirgy, M. J., Woo, E., & Kim, H. L. (2016). Quality of life (QOL) and wellbeing research in tourism. Tourism Management, 53, 244-261.