Research Needed on Tourism Patterns of Elderly in China Post-Endemic
Diversification of Products Including Group Tours to Famous Attractions, Medical Tourism, and Experiential and Stay-type Tourism
[Asia Economy Senior Reporter Cho Young-shin] As aging becomes a social issue in China, the elderly are emerging as a new tourism demand segment. It is expected that overseas travel demand among the elderly in China will surge after the endemic phase, highlighting the need for research on the travel patterns of China's elderly population.
Shanghai Securities News cited statistics from China's largest online travel agency C-trip, reporting on the 5th that as of September this year, the per capita travel expenditure of tourists aged 60 and above increased by 23% compared to the same period last year.
Shanghai Securities News explained that among the senior group, those aged between 60 and 65 account for more than 30% of travel demand, making them a major travel segment. They prefer group package tours, and customized travel products designed to suit their age characteristics are also gaining popularity.
Additionally, the 60 to 65 age senior group is familiar with online and social media (SNS) environments, showing a tendency to search online communities themselves and select travel destinations directly, Shanghai Securities News explained. It also added that the number of senior communities on C-trip increased by more than 30% compared to the previous year.
Travel expenditure by the 60 to 65 senior group was also found to be higher than that of younger age groups and others. They mainly choose travel products priced between 2,000 and 4,000 yuan, Shanghai Securities News pointed out. These travel products include accommodations (hotels), meals (buffets), and premium cultural performances, making their prices higher than those of other age groups.
Shanghai Securities News assessed that the 60 to 65 senior group is healthier, more active, and economically better off compared to other senior groups.
Customized products combining medical care, health, and travel are being developed, diversifying tourism products targeting the elderly in China. In fact, recently, health tourism products including traditional Chinese medicine, Western medicine, and nourishing foods have been introduced, along with rural experience tourism that allows enjoying pastoral life and long-term stay tourism that avoids heat and cold, the media reported.
The China Elderly Association forecasts that assuming the current per capita travel expenditure of those aged 60 and above remains the same, travel expenditure by China's elderly population will reach 2.4 trillion yuan (484 trillion Korean won) by 2050.
As of the end of last year, China's population aged 60 and above reached 267 million, accounting for 18.9% of the total population. Those aged 65 and above exceed 13%. The China Qianzhan Industry Research Institute estimates that if the current trend continues, by 2050, the population aged 65 and above will account for 25% of China's total population.
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