Travel Trends of Senior/Elderly Travellers in Australia - Assignment Example

This population of increasing older tourists comprised 12 % of the Australian population. In addition, the Australian bureau of statistics (2002b) projected that the number of senior travelers in Australia would rise to 24% of the total Australian population by 2051. Patterson further asserts that about 16.7 million domestic travelling were undertaken by the elderly (aged 55 and older) in 2002. Table 1. Domestic overnight trips, visitor nights and expenditure in Australia (Bureau of Tourism Research, 2002) Non-senior 14-54 years Younger senior 55-64 years Older senor 65+ years Total 55-65+ years Overnight trips(millions) 58.6 9.2 7.5 16.7 Visitor nights (million) 207.1 44.7 46.8 91.5 Average length of stay (nights) 3.5 4.9 6.2 5.5 Total expenditure ($ billion) 31.4 5.1 3.5 8.5 Average expenditure per trip ($) 536 551 458 509 Average expenditure per night ($) 152 113 74 93 In the above table, it is clear that overnight travelers spent about 91.

5 million nights while touring Australia, this figure represents about 31% of the total nights spent by domestic overnight tourists. In addition, this figure is equated to an average of 5.5 nights, which was higher than the average length of stay of 3.5 nights spent by non seniors in Australia. . The numbers of senior travelers is expected to increase further after retirement; however, this depends on the life expectancy of the travelers. Senior travelers can only participate actively in tourism when they have improved state of health.

In addition, the senior travelers must have the appropriate technology to assist them in moving around Australia conveniently due to their age. The main reason why there is increasing number of senior travelers in Australia is due to financial security. This age group is financially secure; in addition, most of them have retired meaning that they have a lot of time to travel around Australia than any other age group. Further, the main reason why the elderly travel is to be physically fit. Travelling is seen by the elderly as a form of exercise that makes them mentally fit so that they can be socially relevant in the society.

Gupta (2007, p702) assert that senior travelers will remain as a growing segment for the Australian travel sector. The motivation behind senior travel includes higher disposable income and assets as well as the increase in average education attainment. Gupta further concludes that increases in these two factors are expected to boost current interests for travel by senior Australians. Other influences According to Gupta (2007, p.700), there are other social and economic factors that have contributed to the increasing senior travel in Australia.

The factors include early retirement and associated increases in leisure time which have led to increased travel activity among the elderly. Further, the increasing share of wealth by elderly Australians has been linked to the increasing number of senior traveler. Consequently, the eligibility of older travelers for transfer payments such as travel cards