Currently, the travel industry is undergoing significant changes. These changes are directly related to demographic trends in society, particularly in Europe. That is why it is important for your hotel to understand the profile of senior travelers and what they are looking for.
These demographic trends are nothing more than the growth of the senior population (people aged 55 and older).In turn, this has given rise to new and interesting concepts in tourism: senior tourism and the senior tourist.
Everyone who works in the tourism industry needs to stay up to date on these new trends. After all, it is believed that they will be transforming the tourism and real estate markets for at least the next 30 years.
Table of Contents
What Is Senior Tourism
Before discussing senior tourists, we need to define what senior tourism is. According to Antunes (2012), senior tourism can be defined as “the participation in activities and experiences by people over the age of 55, outside their daily lives, without dependent children, for a minimum period of 24 hours and for an indefinite period of time.”
Profile of the senior tourist
The main characteristic that defines a senior tourist is their age; this is what distinguishes them from other tourists. In this sense, for some authors, a senior tourist is someone over 65 years of age, while for others it is someone 55 years of age and older.
The “senior” category is often divided into two subgroups: “younger seniors” aged 55 to 64 and “older seniors” aged 65 and older.
Other Characteristics of the Senior Tourist Profile
Today, senior tourists are typically well-educated, adventurous, in better physical and mental condition, and therefore very eager to travel. In addition, this type of tourist is more tech-savvy; for example, according to 2017 statistics from Promotur, senior tourists booked their lodging and flights online.
When it comes to travel, senior tourists are looking for a destination that helps them maintain their physical, mental, and social well-being, as well as enhance their personal growth, so that they can better cope with the challenges of old age (such as loneliness).
In addition, one of the main reasons older adults travel is to enjoy their vacations or retirement. Other reasons include visiting relatives, relaxing, and getting away from their daily routine.
Services that someone with a senior tourist profile
There are certain services that senior tourists consider very important when choosing accommodations. And this is something every owner or investor in Seniors Resorts should keep in mind.
These services include: safe medical care, direct and comfortable transportation, safe housing, meals tailored to their needs, means to facilitate communication, trained staff to assist them, and a wide range of recreational activities.
The activities most in demand among senior tourists are those related to recreation, as well as relaxation, culture, and religion.
European Senior Tourists
Now, with regard to European senior tourists, it has been observed that there is a high propensity to travel abroad from countries such as Belgium, Germany, the United Kingdom, Luxembourg, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Austria, while in countries such as Spain, Italy, Greece, and Portugal, the propensity to travel abroad is low.
And if you’re a property owner and investor in the senior resort sector, there’s another very important aspect to consider. What is it? Simple: seniors in Northern Europe are eager to travel to countries along the Mediterranean coast. And Spain stands out among them.
On the other hand, the top source countries for senior tourism in Europe are Germany and the United Kingdom.
The “Senior Resort” Concept
Finally, there is the concept of a senior resort. This term refers to a tourist-residential complex designed specifically for people over the age of 65. Senior resorts consist of individual units, which may be apartments, villas, bungalows, farmhouses, or cottages. They generally have one or two bedrooms.
These housing units are built near or around one or more central buildings. These buildings provide medical care, dining, recreational activities, and security services for seniors.
Most of these complexes are equipped with special sports facilities and green spaces for seniors to enjoy.
The senior resort operates as a vacation facility or a rehabilitation center for a specified period of time.
They are also designed for retirees who want to stay for extended periods. Or even for people who want to stay permanently. In the latter case, the person can purchase the property or enter into a lifetime lease agreement.
For more information about senior tourism, please feel free to contact us. At IHCS, we specialize in the tourism and hospitality industry.
