Travel and the elderly.

Opportunities for travel are important if older persons are to continue to be socially integrated. Travel may not only be a supportive resource for linking linking persons with life's necessities, but it may also be a very important life-enriching resource. Travel can expand the social world of older persons, while lack of travel can result in disengagement and social isolation. This column examines the importance of travel, modes of travel, leisure travel, lodging, and implications.

Importance and Modes of Travel

Travel is important for the life satisfaction of older persons. Cutler (1972, 1975) found that 58% of those older persons with some type of personal transportation had high life satisfaction scores, while only 37% without personal transportation had high scores. A longitudinal study, found that 54% of older persons deprived of transportation during the study had a decrease in life satisfaction scores, while only 36% of those who had transportation had a decrease in life satisfaction scores. The study also found that even after socioeconomic status and health were accounted for transportation was still the most important factor in determining life satisfaction scores.

The automobile is an important mode of travel for older persons. The Federal Highway Administration (1973), in a study that did not include walking, found the automobile to be the dominant mode of travel for all ages, with the majority of all trips for those 65 years of age or older involving the older person as the driver. Many more trips are made by those who drive automobiles than those who are passengers. Frequency of trips is associated with car ownership, good health and distance from the city center.

Mass transit is another mode of travel available to older persons. A review of a number of studies concluded that only in New York City is mass transit the dominant mode of travel. In addition, the use of mass transit is highly associated with nearness to a bus stop, good health and living in the city center.

Walking serves a variety of purposes for older persons. A study of pedestrian behavior in two cities found that 32% of older persons were walking for pleasure, in contrast to 21% of persons of all ages; 34% walked for enjoyment; and 39% walked for "exercise," even though other modes of transportation were available. Researchers found that most older persons who walked were in good health, men and lived in the city center.

An examination of destinations associated with different modes of travel concluded that the automobile is used most often by the elderly to visit children, visit relatives and attend entertainment and organizational functions. Mass transit is used most frequently to obtain health care and to shop for items other than groceries. Walking is most frequently used to visit friends, shop for groceries and attend religious services.

Satisfaction with modes of travel differs with the various modes of travel. Researchers found that most older persons prefer private automobiles to mass transit because of convenience, speed and sociability. Drawbacks of automobile travel include scarce rides and feeling indebted to or not trusting the driver. Many older persons did not like mass transit because of the crowds or the sense of being rushed.

A telephone survey of rural older persons ages 75 and older living in Iowa was conducted to determine their travel behavior and, in particular, their use of transit services. Respondents were found to be a mobile population. Four of every five older persons live in a household with a car and have a drive's license. Those older persons who live alone, however, are much more likely to be among close without a household vehicle. Men are much more likely to have access to a car than a women. Older persons ages 75 to 84 of both genders have greater access to a car and are more likely to have a driver's license than those ages 85 and older. Over 90% of all trips were taken in private cars, with walking being the next most important mode. Only 2% of all trips used modes other than cars or walking. Older persons reported using transit for 0.3% of all trips. Two thirds of older persons had taken a trip the previous day, primarily to go shopping, conduct personal business or for a social or recreation reason. Shopping, family and personal business were the three most important trip purposes.

Leisure Travel

Research shows that when people retire, the number one activity they say they want to engage in is travel. Evidence suggests that people over the age of 55 account for some 80% of all vacation dollars spent in the U.S. According to one researcher, "Older Americans travel more frequently, go longer distances, stay away longer, and rely more on travel agents than any other segment of the population."

Research concerning the senior travel market is a relatively recent development. Fifty-two percent of the respondents 65 years of age and older planned to take three to four trips per year in retirement, 28% planned one or two trips per year, and only 6% planned an average of less than one trip per year. Once retired from the work force, over 50% of those over 65 still took a minimum of one to two trips per year, and three out of every four retirees used some type of travel service, A variety of personal problems frequently resulted in changes in travel modes after age 65, for example, difficulties with airports (confusion, long walks, baggage problems, etc.), expense, scheduling problems, and health reasons were all found to exert some influence.

Another study provided useful comparisons between those nearing and those past the age of retirement. Anderson and Langmeyer profiled similarities and differences between travelers under and those over the age of 50. Their study found that the over-50 travelers preferred non-hectic, pre-planned, group-based, pleasure trips for rest and relaxation or for visiting relatives. The under-50 travelers also tended to travel for rest and relaxation, but were more likely to participate in outdoor recreation activities or to visit man-made amusement facilities.

A study of vacation patterns among elderly Germans, found that motivations concerning travel were similar across age groups, but the oldest travelers sought less stressful forms of transportation and vacation sites. Taking a vacation was found to decline with age; when vacations did occur, there was a higher priority placed on seeing friends and relatives. There was some evidence, however, that longer vacations were taken after the age of retirement.

The leisure travel preferences and habits of individuals 55 and older were the focus of a nationwide study. Forty seven percent of those who completed the surveys were retired. The respondents that had an average age of 62 years, traveled approximately three times a year, and stayed an average of nine days. The survey also revealed that the respondents preferred to travel with either their spouse or another person. With 83% preferring to travel in pairs, while only 2.7% preferred to travel in organized groups, such as tour groups. According to this study, respondents travel to "visit new places" (86.1%), "spend time with family" (74.7%), "rest and relax" (73.0%), "escape every day routine" (68.0%), "experience new things" (67.8%), "spend time with friends" (64.7%), "visit museums/ historic sites" (62.6%), and "visit festivals/special events" (58.4%).

Researchers examined the relationship between known retirement status and constraints to travel activity; use of various forms of travel information; and travel characteristics and their relationship to participation in travel-related activities. Retirees were significantly more likely to be constrained by perception of age, disability, health conditions, and physical energy. Being too busy to travel constrained the pre-retirees, while physical infirmity and less of an adventuresome spirit constrained the retirees. Fewer than one in four older respondents agreed that they had experienced difficulty getting information about travel.

For the majority, a wide variety of travel resources were consulted, such as maps, pamphlets or brochures, travel agents, and the American Automobile Association. Pre-retirees were more likely to travel for business or to include business with vacation, while emphasized family in their travel activity. Travel duration and mode of travel seemed linked to employment and its associated time constraints, since pre-retirees were away for shorter durations and traveled more frequently by air. Concerning travel related activities that were related to retirement status, only one activity--going on a package tour--was more popular with post-retirees. Shopping, touring a city, going to a beach, swimming, attending a convention, and bicycling were all found to occur more frequently among the pre-retirees.

Lodging

Older persons in the 1990s are very much aware of what they want in the lodging facilities they choose. In the Senior Traveler Survey (1991a), characteristics having substantial bearing on the lodging selection process are value, convenience and comfort. Respondents were presented with a list of 53 characteristics associated with lodging accommodation. Based upon the percentage of elderly respondents who rated a characteristic as very important or important, cleanliness (99.4%), convenience of location (96.8%), and room price (96.2%) appeared as important criteria for nearly all of the respondents. Easy access from main roads (94.2%), security systems (90.3%), and parking lot lighting (90.1%) were also primary characteristics.

The Senior Traveler Survey (1991b), in addition to studying lodging, also studied where older persons eat while traveling. Fifty-five percent of all respondents said they prefer to dine in the lodging site.

One study sought to determine differences in the importance of hotel attributes between younger and older travelers, measuring the significance of 57 attributes for travelers above and below the age of 59. The attributes that were rated as most important and that were not significantly different between age groups related to price and quality were: quality products and attractive prices, including special discounts and complementary services. Attributes more important to older travelers were: grab bars and supports in the bathroom, and night lights in bathroom. Other attributes highly valued by mature travelers include: legible, visible signs in hallways, public areas and restaurants; extra blankets and legible, larger printing on schedules, information, and menus. It is interesting to note that information about the availability of specific hotel attributes important to older persons is not usually included in advertising and information listings.

Implications

Older persons will have the time and the money for leisure travel, and the travel industry will be one of the biggest winners in the coming decades. Consumers over 55 years of age spend 80% of their vacation dollars in the U.S., and people age 50 or above earmarked approximately $20 billion for vacations in 1985. Older consumers have the time to travel and are willing to spend a substantial proportion of their discretionary income on leisure activities, such as travel.

The increasing longevity of older persons will afford seniors more leisure time to travel and to enjoy different destinations and activities. The increasing size of that senior market will make it an even more attractive target for the travel services than it is today.

Although early retirement may not remain as popular, many Americans expect to be free from work demands. Having already reached their peak earning years, many persons will place more emphasis on leisure than on work. Others, while still working, will find ways to increase their leisure time.

Although the income of older Americans may be less than their income in prime earning years, the senior travel market will be relatively affluent because of savings, investments income, and other assets. Many older persons will be discriminating spenders, focusing less on quality or product status and more on quality and value.

References

Ananth, M., DeMicco, F. J., Moreo, P., & Howey, R. M. (1992). Marketplace Lodging Needs of Mature Travelers. The Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Administration Quarterly, 33(4), 12-24.

Anderson, B. B., & Langmeyer, L. (1982).

The Under-50 and Over-50 Travelers: A Profile of Similarities and Differences. Journal of Travel Research, 20(4), 20-24.

Badinelli, K., Davis, N., & Gustin, L. (1991, September 9). Senior Traveler Study: America's Mature Market Not Content While Away Their Days. Hotel and Motel Management, 206, 31, 33-34.

Balzey, M. A. (1992). Travel and Retirement Status. Annals of Tourism Research, 19(4), 771-783.

Carp, F. M. (1972). Retired People as Automobile Passengers. Gerontologist, 12(1), 66-72.

Carp, F. M. (1974). Transportation and the Older Person. Washington, DC: Administration on Aging. (Final Report, Grant AA-4-70-087).

Culter, S. J. (1972). The availability of personal transportation, residential location, and life satisfaction among the aged. Journal of Gerontology, 27(3), 383-389.

Cutler, S. J. (1975). Transportation and Changes in Life Satisfaction. Gerontologist, 15(2), 155-159.

Eckmann, A. (1974). The Behavior and Perception of Elderly Pedestrians and Appropriate Accommodations. Washington, DC: Institute of Public Administration.

Federal Highway Administration. (1973). Mode of Transportation and Personal Characteristics of Tripmakers. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Transportation, Nationwide Personal Transportation Study. Report No. 9.

Foster, N., Damiano, P., Mamany, E., & McLeran, H. (1995). Travel Patterns of Rural Elderly. Transportation Quarterly, 49(3), 51-65.

Lawton, M. P. (1980). Environment and Aging. Monterey, CA: Brooks/Cole Publishing Co.

Romsa, G. & Blenman, M. (1985). Visitor Patterns of Elderly Germans. Annals of Tourism Research, 16(2), 178-188.

Rosenfeld, J. P. (1986). Demographics on Vacation. American Demographics, 8(1), 38-41, 58.

Senior Traveler Study. Hotel Restaurants Rated Highly. (1991a, September 9). Hotel and Motel Management, 206, 31, 34.

Senior Traveler Study. Lodging selection Based on Value and Comfort Factors. (1991b, September 9). Hotel and Motel Management, 206, 31, 34.

Shoemaker, S. (1989). Segmentation of the Senior Pleasure Market. Journal of Travel Research, 27(3), 14-21.

Supernaw, S. (1985). Battle for the Gray Market. The Battle for Market Share: Strategies in Research and Marketing (pp. 287-290). Proceedings of the Sixteenth Annual Conference, Travel and Tourism Research Association, Salt Lake City, UT: Bureau of Economic and Business Research, Graduate School of Business, University.

Tongen, H. N. (1980). Travel Plans of the Over-65 Market, Pre and Post Retirement. Journal of Travel Research, 19(2), 7-11.

Joseph D. Teaff is a professor and Thomas Turpin a graduate assistant in the Department of Health Education and Recreation at Southern Illinois University.