Ageing Tourism Issues in Hospitality and Tourism

This article evaluates the relationship between old age and tourism in Australia. It discusses the touch points of senior citizen travelers, identifies the central issues affecting the tourism industry, and provides effective solutions. The study concludes that targeting the elderly population can help the tourism industry grow more prosperous.

Running head: AGEING TOURISM ISSUES IN HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM
AGEING TOURISM ISSUES IN HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1AGEING TOURISM ISSUES IN HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM
Executive summary:
The primary aim of this article is to evaluate the relationship between the old age and the
tourism. In Australia, the tourism industry is profoundly affected by the ageing tourism. The old
age people can mainly divide into the seniors and the Baby Bloomers. They are mostly between
the ages of 45- 75 years old. A research article shared a case study of 12 old people, a survey of
this case study helped to find the touch point of the travellers, and it helped to identify the central
issue of each traveller. In the evaluation of these issues, this article shared some effective
solution. The study concluded that targeting the people of this age circle could help the tourism
industry to grow more prosperous.

2AGEING TOURISM ISSUES IN HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM
Table of Contents
Introduction:....................................................................................................................................3
Discussion:.......................................................................................................................................4
Old age people:............................................................................................................................4
Seniors:....................................................................................................................................4
Baby boomers:.........................................................................................................................5
Key motivation factors for the older people:...........................................................................5
Literature review:.........................................................................................................................5
Traveler’s touch point:.............................................................................................................6
Identification of the central issue:............................................................................................7
Evaluation of the effective solutions:..........................................................................................8
Conclusion:......................................................................................................................................9
References:....................................................................................................................................11

3AGEING TOURISM ISSUES IN HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM
Introduction:
This report summarizes the relationship between old age and tourism. Old age is an
emerging issue in tourism and hospitality, as the research data shows the younger generation
preference for the tourism is higher than the senior citizen's preference of travelling regarding the
destination, journey expenses, Travel habit, travel length and category of accommodation. The
UNDESA population division in world population prospects showed that in 2015 number of 60+
was 12.3% of the total worldwide population, which will increase 16.5% and 21.5% in 2030 and
2050 respectively (Alonso and Liu 2013). The following paragraphs will explain about the senior
citizen travellers touch points and identification of the central issue which is affecting the
tourism and hospitality industry. The report also evaluates the possible effective solution that
may minimize the effects (Nielsen 2014.).
Figure: The relation between ageing and tourism
Source: (Fietkau 2017)

4AGEING TOURISM ISSUES IN HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM
Traveler’s touch point:
Traveler’s touch points are those points, which touches the main points of a traveler’s
journey (Estrada-González 2017). This includes all the points from start to end that covers all the
difficulties of the journey. Referring the research data, traveler’s touch points are mentioned
below:
Dreaming:
People are often hung onto television and social media through which the online marketers reach
them and they start to dream about a getaway through travel. They often listen to others about
their travel stories and follow other stories while interacting with the online community.
Booking:
Booking from the online channels. Booking agencies were also measured as a booking platform.
Planning:
For proper planning of travel, they customers go through various online websites to find the
perfect accommodations.
Experiencing:
Travelling covered the major points of the journey. The accommodation was suitable for most of
customers, but some raised some obligations for the facility provided.
Sharing:
Most of the customers depend on recommendations from their friends and family for planning
their travel. After a travel, the customers also share their reviews and opinions to those who are
at the dreaming stage.

5AGEING TOURISM ISSUES IN HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM
Figures: Traveller’s touch point
Source: (Losada 2016)
Identification of the central issue:
The central issue from each of the traveller’s point of view can be summarized as a
foremost central issue that is physical limitations of the elder people (Diekmann and McCabe
2016). The issues are mentioned in detail below:
 Most of the old people are not capable of travelling because of many physical, psychic
and sensory issues.
 With growing age, the seniors are sensitive to the environmental changes and climate
changes. They are also not sustainable with the long hectic journey as most of them have
old age problems such as joint pains, bone deformities.
 Changing condition of the climate do not support their regular habits.
 The facilities included in the accommodation is also a significant issue, as most of the
seniors do not feel comfortable with the arrangements of the accommodation.

6AGEING TOURISM ISSUES IN HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM
 Budget planning is another main point for the elderly which is restricting them from
planning any travelling (Van der Wagen and White 2018).
Evaluation of the effective solutions:
The tourist industry of Australia is profoundly affected by the increasing numbers of the
seniors (Vojvodic 2015). In order provide solutions to effectively to the problem of old age in
tourism, implementation of energy efficient and health supported tourism can be provided in
such instances. With the development of tourism that help in supporting health of the older
people along with proving energy efficiency, it is becoming easier for the older adults to engage
in travelling and tourism, which was earlier a problem for this population. There have been
development of certain tourist spots which provides a sustainable environment which is unique
in its nature, providing rich gastronomic and cultural and historical heritage that provides solace
to the older adult population. These also have eco smart solutions which emphasize mainly on
the wellbeing and health especially of the senior travelers. There are machines installed for still
water and renewable energy systems in terms of ventilation, electricity and for heat. These have
a high amount of positive effect to elevate the security of the older senior travelers and providing
them with more healthy conditions. This also in turn increase their life expectancies and helps to
counteract age. As identified in the issues, most of the older people are sensitive to several
sensory issues like noise. This problem can also be curtailed in such ecological tourism spots
where the environment is noise free, thus helping to reduce stress and anxiety. Development of
tourism destinations with natural thermal springs is also effective for the senior travelers as the
sulphuric waters of the thermal springs help them to get rid of several diseases like the urinary
tract diseases and diseases of the digestive system. This is helpful mainly in the pole suffering
from rheumatism and skin problems.

7AGEING TOURISM ISSUES IN HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM
Conclusion:
It can be concluded that the tourism industry of Australia can be more prosperous if the
old people can get consideration. Old people do not much prefer the travelling considering all the
factors like budgeting, hectic travelling, environment, climate and accommodation. The young
generation always prefers travelling, but it is not possible for them to always plan accordingly, as
there can be a lack of free time, jobs and other obstacles. Often children can be a hindrance to
planning. In this article, a description of a recent data is explained to elevate the traveler’s touch
points. Travelling itself is the dominant central issue of the mentioned touch points. In order to
effectively address the problems faced by the senior travelers, the tourism sector should consider
development of ecologically sustainable spots with the aim to improve the health and well-being
of these individuals. Such strategies provide health supported tourism and creates energy
efficient tourism that helps to reduce the stress and anxiety in the senior travelers.

8AGEING TOURISM ISSUES IN HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM
References:
Alén, E., Losada, N. and Domínguez, T., 2016. The impact of ageing on the tourism industry: an
approach to the senior tourist profile. Social Indicators Research, 127(1), pp.303-322.
Alonso, A.D. and Liu, Y., 2013. Local community, volunteering and tourism development: The
case of the Blackwood River Valley, Western Australia. Current Issues in Tourism, 16(1), pp.47-
62.
Chen, K.H., Chang, F.H. and Wu, C., 2013. Investigating the wellness tourism factors in hot
spring hotel customer service. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality
Management, 25(7), pp.1092-1114.
Diekmann, A. and McCabe, S., 2016. Social tourism and health. The Routledge handbook of
health tourism, pp.103-112.
Estrada-González, A.E., 2017. Social tourism, senior citizens, and education. World Leisure
Journal, 59(sup1), pp.22-29.
Fietkau, J., 2017, August. The case for including senior citizens in the playable city. In WI (pp.
1072-1075).
Hrnjić, A., Šuta, N. and Pilav-Velić, A., 2016. Innovation in senior tourism: creating energy
efficient and health supported tourist offer. Review of Innovation and Competitiveness: A
Journal of Economic and Social Research, 2(4), pp.5-18.
Huber, D., Milne, S. and Hyde, K.F., 2017. Biographical research methods and their use in the
study of senior tourism. International Journal of Tourism Research, 19(1), pp.27-37.
Losada, N., Alén, E., Domínguez, T. and Nicolau, J.L., 2016. Travel frequency of seniors
tourists. Tourism Management, 53, pp.88-95.

9AGEING TOURISM ISSUES IN HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM
Meshram, K. and O'Cass, A., 2013. Empowering senior citizens via third places: research is
driven the model development of seniors' empowerment and social engagement in social places.
Journal of Services Marketing, 27(2), pp.141-154.
Nielsen, K., 2014. Approaches to seniors' tourist behaviour. Tourism Review, 69(2), pp.111-121.
Van der Wagen, L. and White, L., 2018. Event management: For tourism, cultural, business and
sporting events. Cengage AU.
Vojvodic, K., 2015. Understanding the senior travel market: A review,pp 111-115