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Abstract of Articles of TRR 28(2), 2003
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Voices of Older Women Tourists
(Jennie
Small) |
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Despite developments in the field of gender
and tourism studies over the past ten years, there are
noticeable gaps in the knowledge base. While the voices
of women as tourists have begun to be heard, the voices
of older women tourists have remained silent. Tourism
studies have followed social trends in marginalizing this
age group. This paper reports a study which has studied
older women and their holiday experiences over the life
course. Taking a feminist social constructionist approach,
the research method, memory-work was employed. This paper
focusses on the current holiday experiences of women aged
65+, highlighting the prominent positive theme that emerged,
pleasure in the world, particularly the natural world.
The study found that women in later life were valuing
the simplicity of life, the essence of everyday life,
and reconnecting with it. A holiday offered new experiences
and the women were open to these experiences. There was
an expansion of the women’s lives, rather than a
contraction. These findings conflict with social expectations
of older women. Rather than a decline in interest with
aging there was a great enthusiasm, an affirmation of
positive aging. While this theme differentiates holidays
at age 65+ from holidays at younger ages, one theme that
continued through the life course was social connectedness.
Although the women in the study generally resisted the
dominant discourse of old age, a negative theme for this
age group were constraints from the tourism industry in
terms of facilities and services. Tourist experiences
offer opportunities for what has been termed, the Ulyssean
adult. From the supply side, it is wise for the tourism
industry to hear the voices of older women. The potential
of this market is well documented.
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Copyright Tourism Recreation Research & Tej Vir Singh |
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