The current tendency to undertake more trips, but of shorter duration, throughout the year, has meant that the tourist industry has started to show greater interest in attracting those market segments that opt for more prolonged stays, as they are especially profitable. One of these segments is that of seniors.Given the aging demographic of the population worldwide, which is particularly noticeable in Spain, the object of this study is to identify the variables that determine the length of stay of Spanish seniors at their destination. The determinant factors of the length of stay by Spanish seniors identified were: age, travel purpose, climate, type of accommodation, group size, trip type and the activities carried out at the destination. This study is a contribution to this field from an empirical point of view, given the scarcity of studies of this type and their eminently descriptive character; as well as from a practical level, with interesting implications for the sector.

The elderly population presents a market of particular relevance to a large number of industries for its high purchasing power, comparatively higher than younger groups. Specifically, the tourism sector is emerging as one of the biggest beneficiaries of the aging process as a result of changes in the lifestyle of the population currently, more leisure-oriented than previous generations. However, the tourist companies are facing difficulties in understanding these consumers, whose behavior is different as mentioned, from that of older people in the past. So, this paper aims to identify the main characteristics of the senior consumers for the tourism industry, through three main objectives. The first one is focused on the tendency to travel; the second one is based on the motivation, pull and push factors; and finally, the travel characteristics of Spanish seniors. Research findings showed that there are differences between travelers and non-travelers, depending on sociodemographic characteristics and previous travel experience, where the main reasons provided for not travelling included economic status and health. The literature about senior tourism is discussed in light of these findings.

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The current demand in tourism is characterized more frequent trips throughout the year, but shorter than before.. Yet even though this trend will have an adverse affect on the hospitality industry, it will benefit the travel industry. Most of the current literature is based upon the premise that the variables determining travel participation are the same ones that influence travel frequency. However they need not be the same nor behave in the same manner in terms of participation and travel frequency. The aim of this study is to identify the variables that influence the travel frequency of Spanish seniors, one of the most important collectives for the tourism industry given its high travel frequency which depends on variables determining travel participation. Our results show that the variables gender, self-perceived economic status and self-perceived time available determine Spanish senior travel frequency.

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