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Seniors’ seasonal movements for health enhancement

Authors :
Lingqiang Zhou
Geoffrey Wall
Jibin Yu
Philip L. Pearce
Mao-Ying Wu
Source :
The Service Industries Journal. 38:27-47
Publication Year :
2017
Publisher :
Informa UK Limited, 2017.

Abstract

Seasonal migration is an emerging trend among seniors in China. In comparison with the lifestyle-oriented migrations of seniors in much of the western world, Chinese seniors often travel with a focus on improving their health and longevity. Adapting the concept of a therapeutic landscape, the changes experienced by seniors with health problems who visit Bama County, a remote area in southwest China well-known for the longevity of its residents, are explored through personal observation and in-depth interviews. All seniors reported improvements, to different degrees, in their physical, mental and social health. These positive transformations were attributed to the therapeutic physical, social and symbolic landscapes of Bama, as well as to the seniors’ proactive actions and their positive mindset. Implications are offered to the service industry, especially the broad tourism and hospitality industry, that is interested in attracting and catering to the aging Chinese population.

Details

ISSN :
17439507 and 02642069
Volume :
38
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
The Service Industries Journal
Accession number :
edsair.doi...........24e8199686aca5e4576b252e232d1674