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Exploring senior-friendly tourism destination attributes—dimensions and prioritization

Author

Listed:
  • Pingping Hou

    (Hangzhou City University)

  • Lianping Ren

    (Macao University of Tourism)

  • Yin Li

    (Shenzhen Polytechnic University)

  • Jiewu Yao

    (Nankai University)

Abstract

This study adopts a mixed-method approach and examines senior-friendly destination attributes, aiming at understanding the dimensions of the destination attributes that the senior group perceives as important, as well as how these dimensions and attributes are prioritized. The findings indicate six dimensions, with twenty-six attributes, namely: diversified tourism resources, senior-friendly public services, senior-friendly travel services, friendly social environment, senior-friendly accommodation, and senior-friendly tourism attraction service. The Analytic Hierarchy Process was used to determine the weight of each dimension and its respective attributes. The result shows that a friendly social environment carries the highest weight, followed by senior-friendly public services and senior-friendly travel services. At the attributes level, a good public safety environment, convenient medical services, senior-friendly transportation, as well as barrier-free tour routes were prioritized. This nuanced understanding of the senior tourists’ preferences and prioritization provides important references for DMOs in their future development and management of tourism destinations.

Suggested Citation

  • Pingping Hou & Lianping Ren & Yin Li & Jiewu Yao, 2025. "Exploring senior-friendly tourism destination attributes—dimensions and prioritization," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palcom:v:12:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1057_s41599-025-05919-0
    DOI: 10.1057/s41599-025-05919-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cheng-Fei Lee & Brian King, 2019. "Determinants of attractiveness for a seniors-friendly destination: a hierarchical approach," Current Issues in Tourism, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 22(1), pages 71-90, January.
    2. Sien Leong Liew & Siti Rahayu Hussin & Nawal Hanim Abdullah, 2021. "Attributes of Senior-Friendly Tourism Destinations for Current and Future Senior Tourists: An Importance-Performance Analysis Approach," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(1), pages 21582440219, March.
    3. Gelareh Abooali & Shida Irwana Omar & Badaruddin Mohamed, 2015. "The Importance and Performance of a Destination’s Attributes on Senior Tourists’ Satisfaction," International Journal of Asian Social Science, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 5(6), pages 355-368.
    4. Taplin, Ross H., 2012. "The value of self-stated attribute importance to overall satisfaction," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 33(2), pages 295-304.
    5. Huang, Wenli & Pan, Xiaofeng & Peng, You & Lu, Yuan, 2024. "Senior tourists’ acceptance for tourism-related mobile apps: An integrated model based on BWS case 1 and ordered choice data," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    6. Gelareh Abooali & Shida Irwana Omar & Badaruddin Mohamed, 2015. "The Importance and Performance of a Destination's Attributes on Senior Tourists' Satisfaction," International Journal of Asian Social Science, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 5(6), pages 355-368, June.
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