Short answer

To design effective tourism experiences for older adults, prioritize features that offer emotional support, cognitive enrichment, social inclusion, and functional ease.

Field: User-Centred Design
Source: Journal of Cultural Analysis and Social Change (2025)
Method: Qualitative research using grounded theory.
Sample: 24 participants
Evidence: Strong effect

Older adults derive significant well-being from travel experiences that cater to their emotional, cognitive, social, and functional needs, suggesting a multidimensional approach to designing tourism products for this demographic. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2025 study published in Journal of Cultural Analysis and Social Change. Using Qualitative research using grounded theory. with 24 participants, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: To design effective tourism experiences for older adults, prioritize features that offer emotional support, cognitive enrichment, social inclusion, and functional ease.

Study

User-Centred DesignNew This WeekStrong effect

Designing travel experiences that enhance older adults' well-being through emotional, cognitive, social, and functional value.

Journal of Cultural Analysis and Social Change · 2025

Key Findings

01A conceptual model of experiential value for older tourists was developed, comprising four core dimensions: emotional, cognitive, social, and functional.
02These dimensions are further refined into ten variables that illustrate how older tourists construct well-being through interrelated affective, intellectual, relational, and practical experiences.
03Sentiment analysis indicated that most experiential keywords associated with these travels were positively valenced, highlighting the affective benefits.

Application

Design takeaway

To design effective tourism experiences for older adults, prioritize features that offer emotional support, cognitive enrichment, social inclusion, and functional ease.

How to apply

When designing any product or service intended for older adults, consider how it can positively impact their emotional state, stimulate their minds, facilitate social connections, and be easy to use and navigate.

Project actions

01When researching user needs, consider a broad spectrum of factors beyond just physical requirements.
02Use qualitative methods like interviews to gain deep insights into user perceptions and motivations.

Method & Evidence

AimTo explore the multidimensional structure of experiential value as perceived by older tourists during well-being-oriented travel and to develop a conceptual model of how these values contribute to their overall well-being.

MethodQualitative research using grounded theory.

ProcedureSemi-structured interviews were conducted with older individuals who had participated in well-being-oriented tourism activities. Data was analyzed using grounded theory principles, and sentiment analysis was applied to identify the valence of experiential keywords.

Sample24 participants

ContextTourism and leisure experiences for older adults, specifically within Guizhou Province, China.

Variables

IV["Emotional value","Cognitive value","Social value","Functional value"]

DVOlder adults' well-being

CV["Tourism experience","Demographics of older tourists"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Utilizes grounded theory to develop a novel conceptual model.
+Employs qualitative methods to capture rich, nuanced user insights.

Limitations

The sample size is relatively small, and the findings are context-specific to a particular region in China, which might limit generalizability.

Reliability & validity

The study's validity is strengthened by the use of grounded theory, which allows for the emergence of themes directly from the data. Reliability is supported by the detailed description of the qualitative procedure, allowing for potential replication of the interview process.

Think critically

How might the cultural context of Guizhou Province have influenced the specific manifestation of emotional, cognitive, social, and functional values among older tourists, and how might these values differ in other cultural settings?

Design Principles

"Design for the aging population by integrating emotional, cognitive, social, and functional value dimensions into all aspects of the user experience."

As global populations age, understanding the specific needs and desires of older tourists is crucial for developing successful and impactful travel offerings. This research highlights that well-being in older adults is not solely about physical health but is deeply intertwined with the quality and nature of their leisure experiences.

What This Means for Your Design

Older people feel happier and healthier when holidays are fun, interesting, social, and easy to manage.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when justifying the need to explore multiple dimensions of user experience, particularly for specific demographic groups like older adults.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research highlights the importance of a multidimensional approach to user experience design, particularly for older adults. By considering emotional, cognitive, social, and functional value, designers can create offerings that significantly enhance user well-being, as evidenced by the positive affective experiences reported by older tourists in Guizhou Province.

Source

Journal of Cultural Analysis and Social Change

Tourism Experience Value Shaping Older Adults Tourists’ Well-being: Qualitative Insights from Guizhou Province, China

journal · 2025

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about designing travel experiences that enhance older adults' well-being through emotional, cognitive, social, and functional value?: To design effective tourism experiences for older adults, prioritize features that offer emotional support, cognitive enrichment, social inclusion, and functional ease. Evidence: Journal of Cultural Analysis and Social Change (2025).
Why does "Designing travel experiences that enhance older adults' well-being through emotional, cognitive, social, and functional value." matter for design?: As global populations age, understanding the specific needs and desires of older tourists is crucial for developing successful and impactful travel offerings. This research highlights that well-being in older adults is not solely about physical health but is deeply intertwined with the quality and nature of their leisure experiences.
How can designers apply this research?: To design effective tourism experiences for older adults, prioritize features that offer emotional support, cognitive enrichment, social inclusion, and functional ease.
What were the main findings?: A conceptual model of experiential value for older tourists was developed, comprising four core dimensions: emotional, cognitive, social, and functional.. These dimensions are further refined into ten variables that illustrate how older tourists construct well-being through interrelated affective, intellectual, relational, and practical experiences.. Sentiment analysis indicated that most experiential keywords associated with these travels were positively valenced, highlighting the affective benefits.
What research method was used?: Qualitative research using grounded theory. with 24 participants.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2025 journal from Journal of Cultural Analysis and Social Change.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing any product or service intended for older adults, consider how it can positively impact their emotional state, stimulate their minds, facilitate social connections, and be easy to use and navigate.
What are the limitations?: The findings are specific to the cultural context of Guizhou Province, China, and may not be directly generalizable to all older adult populations globally. The qualitative nature of the study provides rich insights but does not offer quantitative measures of impact.