An analysis of the major factors shaping the tourism-related spending of senior citizens in Hungary

Ageing is one of the main social crises of the developed world. Predicted longer life expectancy and rising health mean that travel is playing a more decisive role in the ageing generation’s attitude to leisure time – even after retirement. The current study analyses the steep rise in senior tourism using multivariable methods to explore the characteristics of tourism spending by the 65s living in Hungary. Using the Hungarian Central Statistical Office’s (HCSO) dissemination database for 2009 to 2018, this study explores the characteristics of tourism spending as well as the factors influencing spending for seniors and all travellers. The structure of spending is evaluated using 17 types of spending and 12 travel dimensions. This study explores those factors that drive spending by Hungarian senior travellers that differ from those of average travellers. Exploring the features influencing tourism spending by the elderly taking multi-day domestic trips, we find that people over 65 spent a higher proportion on food, souvenirs and on the use of travel agents. Comparative study of the dimensions and outputs of multiday domestic trips found that four outputs generated a significant difference for all travellers and the elderly: those without a primary education (1), those living in settlements with between 2,000 and 5,000 inhabitants (2), those living in Heves County (3), and travellers to Veszprém County (4).