| Long
distance touring for pleasure by seniors is a phenomenon
in several developed countries. The studies presented in
this synthesis bring together material focussing on the
senior self-drive market in Northern Australia. None were
exclusively aimed at identifying seniors, but the presence
of older travellers in a range of tourist market analyses
was used as a resource for further consideration. The studies
used a diversity of methods such as primary and secondary
data analysis, mapping of places and qualitative accounts.
Some major principles about long distance touring as an
activity suitable for the senior market were identified.
These included the ease of access, the purposefulness of
the activity, the extended time span of the behaviour, the
shared experience it embraces and the reflective and mentally
challenging nature of the journeys. It is suggested that
long distance touring fits the needs of seniors very well.
Further, it is argued that the behavioural and experiential
principles underlying long distance self-drive touring might
also be generalised as researchers in gerontology and elsewhere
attempt to understand well-being for seniors. |
