Tourism and ageing: A transformative research agenda

This paper provides a reflexive marking of tourism and ageing research, arguing for a transformation of its research approaches. It observes that extant research on tourism in later life is largely quantitative and concerned with developing market-oriented typologies. Here we argue the case for humanist, participatory approaches to the study of older people that adopt the principles of critical gerontology and hopeful tourism. We discuss biographical research to illustrate how such enquiry could engage older people, foreground their voices and agendas and impact on their lives. We conclude with a four part agenda for tourism and ageing research.

Research highlights► Scrutinises tourism and ageing research knowledge production. ► Advocates a transformation in tourism ageing research. ► Urges dialogue between tourism and critical gerontology. ► Calls for advocacy scholarship engaging older people in the research process. ► Stresses need for personalised accounts of older peoples’ experiences.