Active senior travelers can be divided into three groups based on how they use tourism-related information and communication technology, according to a recent study by the University of Eastern Finland and Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences. The findings were published in Information Technology and Tourism.

“The share of independent senior travelers, in particular, seems to be on the rise,” the authors note. The three types of travelers they identified:

  1. Adventurous experimenters. These adults are confident both in choosing their destination and using information technology. They are independent travelers who like to try out new destinations and avoid ready-made travel packages. 
  2. Meticulous researchers. These adults use technology mainly to search for information, and they appreciate safety and user-friendliness both when it comes to technology and their destination.
  3. Fumbling observers. These adults are less keen to use technology and they often require assistance in using it. This group is the one that prefers ready-made travel packages and familiar destinations.

The study also found that the use of technology is closely linked to travel behavior. Further, senior travelers should not be seen as a homogeneous group preferring ready-made packages; instead, they have varying preferences.