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Beigi H. (2026). Senior Tourism: A Strategy for Enhancing Health and Improving Quality of Life. refahj. 25(99), : 3 doi:10.32598/refahj.25.99.4675.1
URL: http://refahj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-4461-en.html
URL: http://refahj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-4461-en.html
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Extended Abstract
Introduction
The demographic shift toward an aging population has become a defining global challenge of the 21st century. According to United Nations projections, by 2050 the number of people aged 60 years and above will surpass two billion, with a substantial proportion living in low- and middle-income countries. Iran, in particular, is experiencing a rapid demographic transition, driven by increased life expectancy and declining fertility rates. This trend underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to promote active and healthy aging. Aging is accompanied by physical, psychological, and social changes that may compromise well-being. One of the most pressing challenges in late life is the decline in mental health, often linked to social isolation, reduced mobility, and diminished engagement in meaningful activities. The World Health Organization emphasizes that health in older age should be understood not merely as the absence of disease but as the preservation of functional ability and intrinsic capacity across physical, mental, social, and spiritual dimensions. Within this holistic framework, quality of life emerges as a central construct encompassing physical functioning, emotional well-being, social relationships, and environmental satisfaction.Senior tourism, defined as organized travel programs and leisure activities tailored for older adults, has gained attention as an effective non-pharmacological intervention to enhance both mental health and quality of life. Beyond its recreational benefits, tourism provides opportunities for physical activity, cognitive stimulation, social interaction, and cultural engagement. Prior international research has shown that regular participation in tourism can alleviate symptoms of depression, reduce stress, foster social connectedness, and improve overall life satisfaction (Kim et al., 2021; Qiao et al., 2022; Camara et al., 2024; Hu et al., 2023). However, cultural and socioeconomic differences limit the direct applicability of these findings to Iran, where studies on the quantitative impacts of senior tourism remain scarce. The present study aimed to fill this gap by examining the impact of senior tourism participation on mental health, quality of life, and social well-being among Iranian older adults. Specifically, the objectives were to:
Assess the relationship between participation in senior tourism programs and mental health status.
Evaluate the impact of tourism on reducing loneliness and increasing social interactions.
Examine the association between tourism participation and overall quality of life across its four domains: physical health, psychological well-being, social relationships, and environmental quality.
The study was framed within three theoretical perspectives: Activity Theory, which posits that sustained engagement in social and leisure activities promotes successful aging; Continuity Theory, which emphasizes maintaining pre-retirement lifestyle patterns; and Social Capital Theory, which highlights the role of social networks in enhancing psychological resilience and life satisfaction.
Methods
This descriptive–analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 among older adults aged 60 years and above who were members of the National Pension Fund in three Iranian cities—Tehran, Isfahan, and Shiraz. These urban centers were selected for their well-developed tourism infrastructure and availability of organized senior-friendly travel programs.
A sample size of 350 was determined using Cochran’s formula. Participants were equally divided into two groups:
Tourism Participants (n = 175): Individuals who had participated in at least one organized tourism activity during the previous year.
Non-Participants (n = 175): Individuals who had not engaged in any organized tourism activity during the same period.
A convenience sampling approach was adopted, facilitated through pensioner associations, senior centers, and community organizations. Recruitment was aided by a modified snowball method, whereby initial respondents referred other eligible participants.
The following standardized instruments were used for data collection:
General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28): Assesses mental health across four domains: somatic symptoms, anxiety, social dysfunction, and depression. Reliability in Iranian samples has been confirmed (Cronbach’s α = 0.87).
World Health Organization Quality of Life–BREF (WHOQOL-BREF): Measures quality of life in four domains: physical health, psychological well-being, social relationships, and environmental quality (Cronbach’s α = 0.89).
UCLA Loneliness Scale (short form): Measures perceived loneliness.
Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS-6): Evaluates social connectedness and interaction frequency.
The survey was administered online to accommodate geographical diversity and public health considerations. Prior to participation, informed consent was obtained electronically. Data confidentiality was assured, and participants could withdraw at any stage.
Data were analyzed using SPSS v26 and AMOS software. Descriptive statistics summarized demographic variables. Independent t-tests and chi-square tests compared group differences. One-way ANOVA assessed the effect of tourism participation frequency on quality of life scores. Pearson’s correlation examined relationships between tourism participation, loneliness, and social interactions. Multiple regression identified predictors of mental health and quality of life. Path analysis within a structural equation modeling framework tested direct and indirect relationships between variables. Model fit indices for confirmatory factor analysis indicated acceptable fit (CFI = 0.93, TLI = 0.91, RMSEA = 0.042).
Findings
The mean age of participants was 67.8 (±5.2) years; 52.9% were male and 47.1% female. No significant demographic differences were observed between tourism participants and non-participants (p> 0.05).
Mental Health: Tourism participants had significantly lower GHQ-28 scores (indicating better mental health) compared to non-participants (p< 0.001).
Quality of Life: Participants reported higher scores across all WHOQOL-BREF domains: physical health, psychological well-being, social relationships, and environmental quality (p< 0.001 for all).
Social Interaction and Loneliness: Tourism participation correlated negatively with loneliness (r = –0.48, p = 0.002) and positively with social interactions (r = 0.54, p < 0.001).
Regression Analysis: Tourism participation (β = 0.38), higher educational level (β = 0.27), social interactions (β = 0.42), and marital status (β = 0.31) significantly predicted mental health (R² = 0.54). Similar predictors explained 57% of the variance in quality of life (R² = 0.57).
Path Analysis: Tourism participation had significant direct effects on mental health (β = 0.39) and quality of life (β = 0.42), as well as indirect effects mediated by social interactions and reduced loneliness.
Discussion
This study provides robust quantitative evidence that participation in tourism activities has a positive impact on the mental health, quality of life, and social well-being of Iranian older adults. The findings align with Activity Theory, suggesting that sustained engagement in socially and cognitively stimulating activities promotes successful aging. They also support Continuity Theory, as tourism allows older adults to maintain pre-existing travel habits and lifestyle preferences. Moreover, results are consistent with Social Capital Theory, demonstrating that tourism fosters stronger social networks, which in turn enhance well-being.
The observed mediating role of social interactions and reduced loneliness aligns with international findings (Kim et al., 2021; Chen & Petrick, 2013) and underscores the social dimension of tourism as a health-promoting activity. The absence of significant demographic differences between groups suggests that tourism’s benefits are broadly applicable across gender and education levels, provided opportunities are accessible and affordable.
Conclusions
Tourism participation among older adults is associated with better mental health, enhanced quality of life, increased social interactions, and reduced loneliness. Given Iran’s demographic trajectory toward an aging population, integrating senior tourism into national health promotion strategies could serve as a cost-effective, culturally relevant intervention to support healthy and active aging.
Practical Recommendations
Policy Integration: Include senior tourism in public health and social welfare planning.
Accessibility Measures: Provide subsidized travel packages, physical accessibility enhancements, and culturally tailored itineraries.
Community Partnerships: Engage local tourism agencies, NGOs, and community centers to promote participation.
Program Diversity: Offer a range of trip durations and themes to match diverse physical abilities and interests.
Ethical Considerations
Authors Contributions
The author has made substantial contributions to this study.
Funding
This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
Conflicts of Interest
The author declares that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
Introduction
The demographic shift toward an aging population has become a defining global challenge of the 21st century. According to United Nations projections, by 2050 the number of people aged 60 years and above will surpass two billion, with a substantial proportion living in low- and middle-income countries. Iran, in particular, is experiencing a rapid demographic transition, driven by increased life expectancy and declining fertility rates. This trend underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to promote active and healthy aging. Aging is accompanied by physical, psychological, and social changes that may compromise well-being. One of the most pressing challenges in late life is the decline in mental health, often linked to social isolation, reduced mobility, and diminished engagement in meaningful activities. The World Health Organization emphasizes that health in older age should be understood not merely as the absence of disease but as the preservation of functional ability and intrinsic capacity across physical, mental, social, and spiritual dimensions. Within this holistic framework, quality of life emerges as a central construct encompassing physical functioning, emotional well-being, social relationships, and environmental satisfaction.Senior tourism, defined as organized travel programs and leisure activities tailored for older adults, has gained attention as an effective non-pharmacological intervention to enhance both mental health and quality of life. Beyond its recreational benefits, tourism provides opportunities for physical activity, cognitive stimulation, social interaction, and cultural engagement. Prior international research has shown that regular participation in tourism can alleviate symptoms of depression, reduce stress, foster social connectedness, and improve overall life satisfaction (Kim et al., 2021; Qiao et al., 2022; Camara et al., 2024; Hu et al., 2023). However, cultural and socioeconomic differences limit the direct applicability of these findings to Iran, where studies on the quantitative impacts of senior tourism remain scarce. The present study aimed to fill this gap by examining the impact of senior tourism participation on mental health, quality of life, and social well-being among Iranian older adults. Specifically, the objectives were to:
Assess the relationship between participation in senior tourism programs and mental health status.
Evaluate the impact of tourism on reducing loneliness and increasing social interactions.
Examine the association between tourism participation and overall quality of life across its four domains: physical health, psychological well-being, social relationships, and environmental quality.
The study was framed within three theoretical perspectives: Activity Theory, which posits that sustained engagement in social and leisure activities promotes successful aging; Continuity Theory, which emphasizes maintaining pre-retirement lifestyle patterns; and Social Capital Theory, which highlights the role of social networks in enhancing psychological resilience and life satisfaction.
Methods
This descriptive–analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 among older adults aged 60 years and above who were members of the National Pension Fund in three Iranian cities—Tehran, Isfahan, and Shiraz. These urban centers were selected for their well-developed tourism infrastructure and availability of organized senior-friendly travel programs.
A sample size of 350 was determined using Cochran’s formula. Participants were equally divided into two groups:
Tourism Participants (n = 175): Individuals who had participated in at least one organized tourism activity during the previous year.
Non-Participants (n = 175): Individuals who had not engaged in any organized tourism activity during the same period.
A convenience sampling approach was adopted, facilitated through pensioner associations, senior centers, and community organizations. Recruitment was aided by a modified snowball method, whereby initial respondents referred other eligible participants.
The following standardized instruments were used for data collection:
General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28): Assesses mental health across four domains: somatic symptoms, anxiety, social dysfunction, and depression. Reliability in Iranian samples has been confirmed (Cronbach’s α = 0.87).
World Health Organization Quality of Life–BREF (WHOQOL-BREF): Measures quality of life in four domains: physical health, psychological well-being, social relationships, and environmental quality (Cronbach’s α = 0.89).
UCLA Loneliness Scale (short form): Measures perceived loneliness.
Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS-6): Evaluates social connectedness and interaction frequency.
The survey was administered online to accommodate geographical diversity and public health considerations. Prior to participation, informed consent was obtained electronically. Data confidentiality was assured, and participants could withdraw at any stage.
Data were analyzed using SPSS v26 and AMOS software. Descriptive statistics summarized demographic variables. Independent t-tests and chi-square tests compared group differences. One-way ANOVA assessed the effect of tourism participation frequency on quality of life scores. Pearson’s correlation examined relationships between tourism participation, loneliness, and social interactions. Multiple regression identified predictors of mental health and quality of life. Path analysis within a structural equation modeling framework tested direct and indirect relationships between variables. Model fit indices for confirmatory factor analysis indicated acceptable fit (CFI = 0.93, TLI = 0.91, RMSEA = 0.042).
Findings
The mean age of participants was 67.8 (±5.2) years; 52.9% were male and 47.1% female. No significant demographic differences were observed between tourism participants and non-participants (p> 0.05).
Mental Health: Tourism participants had significantly lower GHQ-28 scores (indicating better mental health) compared to non-participants (p< 0.001).
Quality of Life: Participants reported higher scores across all WHOQOL-BREF domains: physical health, psychological well-being, social relationships, and environmental quality (p< 0.001 for all).
Social Interaction and Loneliness: Tourism participation correlated negatively with loneliness (r = –0.48, p = 0.002) and positively with social interactions (r = 0.54, p < 0.001).
Regression Analysis: Tourism participation (β = 0.38), higher educational level (β = 0.27), social interactions (β = 0.42), and marital status (β = 0.31) significantly predicted mental health (R² = 0.54). Similar predictors explained 57% of the variance in quality of life (R² = 0.57).
Path Analysis: Tourism participation had significant direct effects on mental health (β = 0.39) and quality of life (β = 0.42), as well as indirect effects mediated by social interactions and reduced loneliness.
Discussion
This study provides robust quantitative evidence that participation in tourism activities has a positive impact on the mental health, quality of life, and social well-being of Iranian older adults. The findings align with Activity Theory, suggesting that sustained engagement in socially and cognitively stimulating activities promotes successful aging. They also support Continuity Theory, as tourism allows older adults to maintain pre-existing travel habits and lifestyle preferences. Moreover, results are consistent with Social Capital Theory, demonstrating that tourism fosters stronger social networks, which in turn enhance well-being.
The observed mediating role of social interactions and reduced loneliness aligns with international findings (Kim et al., 2021; Chen & Petrick, 2013) and underscores the social dimension of tourism as a health-promoting activity. The absence of significant demographic differences between groups suggests that tourism’s benefits are broadly applicable across gender and education levels, provided opportunities are accessible and affordable.
Conclusions
Tourism participation among older adults is associated with better mental health, enhanced quality of life, increased social interactions, and reduced loneliness. Given Iran’s demographic trajectory toward an aging population, integrating senior tourism into national health promotion strategies could serve as a cost-effective, culturally relevant intervention to support healthy and active aging.
Practical Recommendations
Policy Integration: Include senior tourism in public health and social welfare planning.
Accessibility Measures: Provide subsidized travel packages, physical accessibility enhancements, and culturally tailored itineraries.
Community Partnerships: Engage local tourism agencies, NGOs, and community centers to promote participation.
Program Diversity: Offer a range of trip durations and themes to match diverse physical abilities and interests.
Ethical Considerations
Authors Contributions
The author has made substantial contributions to this study.
Funding
This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
Conflicts of Interest
The author declares that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
Câmara E, Pocinho M, de Jesus SN, Agapito D. (2024). ‘Senior Tourists’ Well-being, Happiness, and Satisfaction with Life: A Systematic Literature Review’. Journal of Tourism, Sustainability and Well-being. 12(2), pp. 87-110. DOI: https://doi.org/10.34623/jc4r-9a80. https://www.jsod-cieo.net/journal-tsw/index.php/jtsw/article/view/457.
Hu F, Wen J, Phau I, Ying T, Aston J, Wang W. (2023). ‘The role of tourism in healthy aging: An interdisciplinary literature review and conceptual model’. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management. 56, pp.356-66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhtm.2023.07.013.
Kim H, Sirgy MJ, Uysal M, Kim SE. (2021). ‘Enhancing the quality of life of senior tourists: a theoretical perspective’. Anatolia. 32(4), pp.537-52. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/13032917.2021.1999752
Qiao G, Ding L, Xiang K, Prideaux B, Xu J. (2022). ‘Understanding the value of tourism to seniors’ health and positive aging’. International journal of environmental research and public health. 19(3), pp.1476. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031476
Hu F, Wen J, Phau I, Ying T, Aston J, Wang W. (2023). ‘The role of tourism in healthy aging: An interdisciplinary literature review and conceptual model’. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management. 56, pp.356-66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhtm.2023.07.013.
Kim H, Sirgy MJ, Uysal M, Kim SE. (2021). ‘Enhancing the quality of life of senior tourists: a theoretical perspective’. Anatolia. 32(4), pp.537-52. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/13032917.2021.1999752
Qiao G, Ding L, Xiang K, Prideaux B, Xu J. (2022). ‘Understanding the value of tourism to seniors’ health and positive aging’. International journal of environmental research and public health. 19(3), pp.1476. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031476
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Received: 2025/04/24 | Accepted: 2025/09/6 | Published: 2026/01/27
Received: 2025/04/24 | Accepted: 2025/09/6 | Published: 2026/01/27
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