Shaping the Future of Senior Tourism: A Conceptual Ecosystem Approach for Australasia Tourism
Abstract
Australasia is experiencing rapid population ageing, fundamentally reshaping tourism demand and industry practices. Despite this demographic transition, the implications of senior tourism for sustainable and inclusive tourism development remain insufficiently explored.
This study adopts a conceptual research design based on an extensive review and synthesis of contemporary literature, demographic statistics, tourism industry reports, and policy documents relating to population ageing and tourism in Australasia. The reviewed literature was synthesized using NVivo 14 to identify key themes and relationships being the foundation for the development of the proposed conceptual model.
Senior travellers are becoming significant drivers of tourism innovation by increasing demand for health and wellness tourism, accessible travel experiences, multi-generational travel, cultural engagement, and digitally enabled tourism services. The findings further indicate that successful senior tourism ecosystems require coordinated business innovation, destination accessibility, digital inclusion, and supportive government policies.
This study proposes a novel conceptual model of senior tourism ecosystems specifically within the Australasian context by integrating demographic ageing, tourism innovation, sustainability, digital inclusion, and public policy into a single framework. It extends Active Ageing Theory by positioning senior tourism as not only a mechanism for promoting healthy and active lifestyles but also as a catalyst for economic development, social inclusion, and environmentally sustainable tourism practices.
Future research should test the model using quantitative and qualitative approaches across different Australasian destinations, examine behavioural differences among diverse senior traveller segments, and investigate the role of emerging digital technologies in enhancing tourism participation, accessibility, and inclusive destination development.
References
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Costa, R., Coelho, J., Lima, D., Duarte, C., & Moita, P. (2025). ElderWander: An accessible digital tourism platform for older adults. Information Technology & Tourism, 1–31. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40558-025-00321-7
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Davis, F. D. (1989). Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology. MIS Quarterly, 13(3), 319–340. https://doi.org/10.2307/249008
Du, M., Tao, L., Liu, M., Liu, J., et al. (2021). Tourism experiences and the lower risk of mortality in the Chinese elderly: A national cohort study. BMC Public Health, 21, 996. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11099-8
Fan, D. X. F., Lyu, J., Huang, Y., Shang, K., & Buhalis, D. (2024). Senior tourists’ digital travel experience: A humanisation perspective. In K. Berezina, L. Nixon, & A. Tuomi (Eds.), Information and communication technologies in tourism 2024. ENTER 2024 (Springer Proceedings in Business and Economics). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-58839-6_34
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Gillovic, B., & McIntosh, A. (2020). Accessibility and inclusive tourism development: Current state and future agenda. Sustainability, 12(22), 9722. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12229722
Gonda, T. (2024). The importance of infrastructure in the development of accessible tourism. Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development, 8(2), 2735. https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd.v8i2.2735
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Kežman, M., & Goriup, J. (2022). Factors affecting tourism activity selection among silver hair tourists. Academica Turistica, 15(3), 381–395. https://doi.org/10.26493/2335-4194.15.381-395
Li, J., Hsu, C.-C., & Lin, C.-T. (2019). Leisure participation behavior and psychological well-being of elderly adults: An empirical study of Tai Chi Chuan in China. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(18), 3387. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16183387
McCabe, S., Minnaert, L., & Diekmann, A. (Eds.). (2011). Social tourism in Europe: Theory and practice (Aspects of Tourism, Vol. 52). Channel View Publications. https://doi.org/10.21832/9781845412340
Muslu, E., et al. (2025). Time travel of older people through virtual reality: A qualitative study. BMC Geriatrics, 25, 127. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-05699-x
Oppert, M. L., Ngo, M., Lee, G. A., Billinghurst, M., Banks, S., & Tolson, L. (2023). Older adults’ experiences of social isolation and loneliness: Can virtual touring increase social connectedness? A pilot study. Geriatric Nursing, 53, 270–279. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2023.08.001
Ortet, G., Veloso, B., & Vale Costa, E. (2022). Cycling through 360° virtual reality tourism for senior citizens: Empirical analysis of an assistive technology. Sensors, 22(16), 6169. https://doi.org/10.3390/s22166169
Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J. M., Hróbjartsson, A., Lalu, M. M., Li, T., Loder, E. W., Mayo-Wilson, E., McDonald, S., … Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 372, n71. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71
Papcunová, V., & Levický, M. (2023). Senior tourism from the point of view of customers’ preferences. Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.9770/jesi.2023.11.2(14)
Patterson, I., & Balderas-Cejudo, A. (2023). Tourism towards healthy lives and well-being for older adults and senior citizens: Tourism Agenda 2030. Tourism Review, 78(2), 427–442. https://doi.org/10.1108/TR-06-2022-0269
Popay, J., Roberts, H., Sowden, A., Petticrew, M., Arai, L., Rodgers, M., Britten, N., Roen, K., & Duffy, S. (2006). Guidance on the conduct of narrative synthesis in systematic reviews: A product from the ESRC Methods Programme. ESRC Methods Programme. https://doi.org/10.13140/2.1.1018.4643
Qiao, G., Ding, L., Xiang, K., Prideaux, B., & Xu, J. (2022). Understanding the value of tourism to seniors’ health and positive aging. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(3), 1476. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031476
Sedgley, D., Pritchard, A., & Morgan, N. (2011). Tourism and ageing: A transformative research agenda. Tourism Management, 32(3), 422–436. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2010.09.002
Smith, M. K., & Puczkó, L. (2014). Health, tourism and hospitality: Spas, wellness and medical travel (2nd ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203083772
Taloș, A., Lequeux-Dincă, A., Preda, M., Surugiu, C., Mareci, A., & Vijulie, I. (2021). Silver tourism and recreational activities as possible factors to support active ageing and the resilience of the tourism sector. Journal of Settlements and Spatial Planning, Special Issue, 29–48. https://doi.org/10.24193/JSSPSI.2021.8.04
Venkatesh, V., Morris, M. G., Davis, G. B., & Davis, F. D. (2003). User acceptance of information technology: Toward a unified view. MIS Quarterly, 27(3), 425–478. https://doi.org/10.2307/30036540
Whittemore, R., & Knafl, K. (2005). The integrative review: Updated methodology. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 52(5), 546–553. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2005.03621.x
World Health Organization. (2002). Active ageing: A policy framework. WHO. https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/67215
Yao, W., & He, B. (2025). Research on silver tourism in China: Themes, theoretical frameworks, and methodological approaches. Asia Pacific Economic and Management Review, 1(3). https://doi.org/10.62177/apemr.v1i3.275
Zhang, Y., Rehman, A. U., Ullah, I., Nawal, A., & Hussain, K. (2025). Exploring tourism experiences: Comparative trends and hotspots in Chinese and American research. Cogent Business & Management, 12(1), 2482027. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2025.2482027
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2024). Population projections, Australia, 2022 (base)–2071. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/population-projections-australia/latest-release
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2020). Older Australians: Demographic profile. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/older-people/older-australians/contents/demographic-profile
Balderas Cejudo, M. A. (2024). Towards a deeper understanding of senior tourists: Challenges and opportunities of an emerging market segment. Revista Internacional de Turismo, Empresa y Territorio, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.21071/riturem.v8i1.17379
Buhalis, D. (2000). Marketing the competitive destination of the future. Tourism Management, 21(1), 97–116. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0261-5177(99)00095-3
Carrera, L. (2025). Age tourism: Going beyond health and “triple S” tourism toward a new request of journey. Frontiers in Sociology, 9, 1395405. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoc.2024.1395405
Costa, R., Coelho, J., Lima, D., Duarte, C., & Moita, P. (2025). ElderWander: An accessible digital tourism platform for older adults. Information Technology & Tourism, 1–31. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40558-025-00321-7
Darcy, S., & Dickson, T. (2009). A whole-of-life approach to tourism: The case for accessible tourism experiences. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 16(1), 32–44. https://doi.org/10.1375/jhtm.16.1.32
Davis, F. D. (1989). Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology. MIS Quarterly, 13(3), 319–340. https://doi.org/10.2307/249008
Du, M., Tao, L., Liu, M., Liu, J., et al. (2021). Tourism experiences and the lower risk of mortality in the Chinese elderly: A national cohort study. BMC Public Health, 21, 996. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11099-8
Fan, D. X. F., Lyu, J., Huang, Y., Shang, K., & Buhalis, D. (2024). Senior tourists’ digital travel experience: A humanisation perspective. In K. Berezina, L. Nixon, & A. Tuomi (Eds.), Information and communication technologies in tourism 2024. ENTER 2024 (Springer Proceedings in Business and Economics). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-58839-6_34
Fiocco, A. J., Millett, G., D’Amico, D., Krieger, L., Sivashankar, Y., Lee, S. H., & Lachman, R. (2021). Virtual tourism for older adults living in residential care: A mixed-methods study. PLOS ONE, 16(5), e0250761. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0250761
Gillovic, B., & McIntosh, A. (2020). Accessibility and inclusive tourism development: Current state and future agenda. Sustainability, 12(22), 9722. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12229722
Gonda, T. (2024). The importance of infrastructure in the development of accessible tourism. Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development, 8(2), 2735. https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd.v8i2.2735
Gretzel, U., Sigala, M., Xiang, Z., & Koo, C. (2015). Smart tourism: Foundations and developments. Electronic Markets, 25(3), 179–188. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12525-015-0196-8
Gupta, G. (2025). The impact of rural tourism on silver tourism. International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i01.38195
Hu, F., Wen, J., Phau, I., Ying, T., Aston, J., & Wang, W. (2023). The role of tourism in healthy aging: An interdisciplinary literature review and conceptual model. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 56, 356–366. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhtm.2023.07.013
Kežman, M., & Goriup, J. (2022). Factors affecting tourism activity selection among silver hair tourists. Academica Turistica, 15(3), 381–395. https://doi.org/10.26493/2335-4194.15.381-395
Li, J., Hsu, C.-C., & Lin, C.-T. (2019). Leisure participation behavior and psychological well-being of elderly adults: An empirical study of Tai Chi Chuan in China. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(18), 3387. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16183387
McCabe, S., Minnaert, L., & Diekmann, A. (Eds.). (2011). Social tourism in Europe: Theory and practice (Aspects of Tourism, Vol. 52). Channel View Publications. https://doi.org/10.21832/9781845412340
Muslu, E., et al. (2025). Time travel of older people through virtual reality: A qualitative study. BMC Geriatrics, 25, 127. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-05699-x
Oppert, M. L., Ngo, M., Lee, G. A., Billinghurst, M., Banks, S., & Tolson, L. (2023). Older adults’ experiences of social isolation and loneliness: Can virtual touring increase social connectedness? A pilot study. Geriatric Nursing, 53, 270–279. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2023.08.001
Ortet, G., Veloso, B., & Vale Costa, E. (2022). Cycling through 360° virtual reality tourism for senior citizens: Empirical analysis of an assistive technology. Sensors, 22(16), 6169. https://doi.org/10.3390/s22166169
Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J. M., Hróbjartsson, A., Lalu, M. M., Li, T., Loder, E. W., Mayo-Wilson, E., McDonald, S., … Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 372, n71. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71
Papcunová, V., & Levický, M. (2023). Senior tourism from the point of view of customers’ preferences. Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.9770/jesi.2023.11.2(14)
Patterson, I., & Balderas-Cejudo, A. (2023). Tourism towards healthy lives and well-being for older adults and senior citizens: Tourism Agenda 2030. Tourism Review, 78(2), 427–442. https://doi.org/10.1108/TR-06-2022-0269
Popay, J., Roberts, H., Sowden, A., Petticrew, M., Arai, L., Rodgers, M., Britten, N., Roen, K., & Duffy, S. (2006). Guidance on the conduct of narrative synthesis in systematic reviews: A product from the ESRC Methods Programme. ESRC Methods Programme. https://doi.org/10.13140/2.1.1018.4643
Qiao, G., Ding, L., Xiang, K., Prideaux, B., & Xu, J. (2022). Understanding the value of tourism to seniors’ health and positive aging. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(3), 1476. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031476
Sedgley, D., Pritchard, A., & Morgan, N. (2011). Tourism and ageing: A transformative research agenda. Tourism Management, 32(3), 422–436. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2010.09.002
Smith, M. K., & Puczkó, L. (2014). Health, tourism and hospitality: Spas, wellness and medical travel (2nd ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203083772
Taloș, A., Lequeux-Dincă, A., Preda, M., Surugiu, C., Mareci, A., & Vijulie, I. (2021). Silver tourism and recreational activities as possible factors to support active ageing and the resilience of the tourism sector. Journal of Settlements and Spatial Planning, Special Issue, 29–48. https://doi.org/10.24193/JSSPSI.2021.8.04
Venkatesh, V., Morris, M. G., Davis, G. B., & Davis, F. D. (2003). User acceptance of information technology: Toward a unified view. MIS Quarterly, 27(3), 425–478. https://doi.org/10.2307/30036540
Whittemore, R., & Knafl, K. (2005). The integrative review: Updated methodology. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 52(5), 546–553. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2005.03621.x
World Health Organization. (2002). Active ageing: A policy framework. WHO. https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/67215
Yao, W., & He, B. (2025). Research on silver tourism in China: Themes, theoretical frameworks, and methodological approaches. Asia Pacific Economic and Management Review, 1(3). https://doi.org/10.62177/apemr.v1i3.275
Zhang, Y., Rehman, A. U., Ullah, I., Nawal, A., & Hussain, K. (2025). Exploring tourism experiences: Comparative trends and hotspots in Chinese and American research. Cogent Business & Management, 12(1), 2482027. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2025.2482027
Published
2026-08-28
How to Cite
KRISHNAPILLAI, Geetha.
Shaping the Future of Senior Tourism: A Conceptual Ecosystem Approach for Australasia Tourism.
Journal of Environmental Management and Tourism, [S.l.], v. 17, n. 3, p. 304 - 319, aug. 2026.
ISSN 2068-7729.
Available at: <https://journals.aserspublishing.eu/jemt/article/view/9616>. Date accessed: 02 sep. 2026.
doi: https://doi.org/10.14505/jemt.v17.3(83).06.
Section
Article
Copyright© 2025 The Author(s). Published by ASERS Publishing 2025. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of CC-BY 4.0 license.