Information and Communication Technologies: Impacts on Older Tourists’ Behavior

Abstract

In the last couple of decades, the increasing pervasiveness of information and communication technologies (ICTs) has radically transformed travel behavior, also among older tourists. This chapter retraces the development of ICT in the tourism industry and discusses the extent and nature of the age-related digital divide. In addition, it describes the effects of ICTs on the travel experience, with a focus on older tourists. In particular, it addresses the interface between everyday life and tourism, the subjectivity of the tourist experience, the pluralization of motivations and alternatives, and complementarity between simulated and authentic experiences. In addition, the impact and potentialities of ICTs in key travel planning activities are discussed, with specific regard to information searching, information sharing, booking, and experiential moments at the destination.