Senior Tourists' Digital Travel Experience: A Humanisation Perspective.

Abstract

As with the development of digital technology, increasing older adults have used digital technologies in different stages of their travel. While advocating the positive aspects of digital usage among older adults, the downside has been largely neglected. Moreover, older adults vary in their backgrounds, lifestyles, digital competence and specific needs. When seeking appropriate solutions to enhance their digital travel experience, it is important to initially profile the diverse subgroups and delineate their specific preferences. This study adopted a humanisation perspective and a qualitative approach to 1) understand senior tourists’ digital travel experience, 2) explore senior tourists’ needs and requirements regarding digital travel, and 3) develop a senior tourists’ digital travel experience typology. Findings provide rich contributions in understanding senior tourists’ digital use and the humanised digital travel experience. Recommendations are also offered to destinations, tourism service providers and care providers regarding how to develop an age friendly destination digital environment.