GREY TOURISM –AN OPPORTUNITY FOR NEW TOURISM MARKET IN PUDUCHERRY Dr. Sibi.P.S Assistant Professor, Department of Tourism Studies, Puducherry University

Abstract were analysed using SPSS. The result of the Facilitating travel for all including people study discloses the value of Grey tourism and with various disabilities and socio-economic its’ importance in positioning Puducherry. challenges is a basic social responsibility. To Key words: Niche tourism, Accessible give thrust to this, UNWTO dedicated the tourism, Grey tourism year 2016 World Tourism Day, campaign for under the theme “Tourism For All-Promoting INTRODUCTION Universal Accessibility.” Everyone has the New travel trends emerge in the global basic right to travel. But it is depressing that tourism industry every other day. New travel for a significant percentage of the total products are launched, new technologies are population, the beauty and diversity of the introduced, new marketing strategies are world and the pleasure of visiting new places experimented and new markets are targeted. are unfeasible due to limited accessibilities to Tourism business has evolved over the last many various sites and services. Physical years to a huge expansion in the market and disabilities, family situations, economic back market trends. Millions of tourists visit new ground, age and poor health also can be a countries and places. There are large number of deterrent to travel for many. But, there is a destinations and attractions. Hence, there is a large section of senior people who would like huge challenge for the destination promoters to to travel for different reasons. Facilitating identify the ideal market and to promote the travel for them is an exceptional business products in a competitive way. In this highly opportunity too. Seniors are as diverse as any competitive business, destination promoters other demographic group. They constitute a constantly plan new strategies to attract new large and growing travel market with markets. significant potential yet to be tapped. This Age is one of the major criteria for market niche segment of tourism is named as Grey segmentation. A large proportion of the tourism, senior citizen tourism or Gold moon consumer businesses aim their marketing at tourism. Interestingly, Puducherry, one of youth. The interests of other segments especially, the popular beach destinations in south the senior citizens are given less importance or and the former French colony which attracts ignored. The market of seniors is significant for thousands of young domestic and two reasons. First, in business point of view and international tourists, is a preferred second as a social responsibility. Elderly people destination for senior citizens too. This paper consist of large and constantly growing group is an effort to study the significance of the with significant buying potential. The growing niche market -Grey tourism to destination number of elderly people may become a great Puducherry. It also highlights the source of benefits for tourism and leisure demographic and tripographic features of industry (Sniadek. J, 2006). This segment of grey tourists. The trends in Grey tourism, tourists was not very important before, but it is potential and challenges of the market were now realised and established as priority in also analysed. Senior tourists responded tourism policies. Promoting ‘Accessible through the questionnaire and the responses tourism’ is encouraged internationally. It is a

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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CURRENT ENGINEERING AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH (IJCESR) socially responsible form of tourism which aims vacation were also investigated. The study also at addressing the rights of every one to travel and looked into the challenges or the barriers for to enjoy the tourism services and opportunities. elderly people to travel. A detailed review of For the further growth and sustainability of existing literature in the area of Grey tourism was tourism industry, it must promote tourism for all. conducted. It was followed by a quantitative ‘All’ include the people with disabilities, senior study in which questionnaires were collected citizens and families with social and financial from 110 tourists visited Puducherry who is difficulties to travel. This social concept of above the 55 years of age. 101 questionnaires ‘Tourism for all’ broadens the market, multiplies were finally used for data analysis after editing. the visitors, extends the seasons and gains more Descriptive analysis, Cross tabulation income (Alen,E.,et al ). and ranking were used to analyse the data. After Grey tourism is the niche market which the analysis, the results emphasised that senior targets on older travellers. This group is also tourists contribute a significant proportion of referred as senior, mature, well-off older people tourism market of Puducherry. The paper and prime lifers (Callan, R.J. and Bowman, L. concludes by suggesting Grey tourism as an ideal 2000). Population ageing is a global niche tourism market for Puducherry based on its phenomenon now. The percentage of elderly economic contribution, quality of experience and people has increased worldwide. Health in promoting universal accessibility. consciousness, better healthcare system, LITERATURE REVIEW economic stability, reduction in mortality and Grey Tourism – The concept and definition decline in fertility rate resulted in increasing the Grey is the colour usually associated with number of seniors in the society. In India, the hair colour of elderly persons. Grey According to population census 2011, there are Tourism is a niche market in the tourism sector almost 104 million elderly persons in which 53 that refers to the seniors travellers (Economic million are females and 51 million are males. Development Committee, 2010). Defining the This comes around 8.6 % of the total population concept of ‘Grey tourism’ is a complex of India. Among the seniors, 41.6% of them are phenomenon as it involves several aspects like working (66.4% Male and 23.4% female) and professional or economic(retirement), hence can afford travel (Elderly in India, 2016). cultural(customs and traditions), social (grand This demographic segment of society is highly parent) and medicinal(loss of health or physical potential and hence a notable market for travel fitness) (Sniadek ,J, 2006). Generally, people and tourism. aged 60 and above have been classified as Grey Puducherry, a Union Territory of India, tourists or senior tourists. But the age has come spread across three states of South India- down to 50 in many studies (Tourism Tamilnadu, Andra Pradesh and Kerala, offers a Queensland,2004). mixed tourism experience of French heritage, Being relatively a new area of research, Spirituality, beeches, volunteering, wellness and there is less clarity regarding the minimum age many more. Puducherry(Former ) is of senior travellers. Retirement age is the a preferred choice for all the age group. Children common criteria considered. However, to senior people find their own reasons to visit retirement age is different in different countries Puducherry. It is quite interesting to note that a and even among the states. This study follows signifiant percentage of tourists visiting the classification given by Tomka , Holodkov & Puducherry are senior people. A good number Andjelkovic I, (2003) .They used ‘senior’ for even choose to have their retirement home in people with the age of 55 and above. The paper Puducherry. This study intends to examine the again classifies the seniors as younger seniors significance and features of Grey Tourism (55 to 64 years) and older seniors (65 and older). market in Puducherry. The paper aimed to (Sniadek. J, 2006) groups the seniors as determine the demographic and tripographic pre-retiree and early retirees, Retirees, Older profile of senior tourists to Puducherry. The retirees or mature adults and elderly senor tourists’ travel motivations as well as reasons for selecting Puducherry for their

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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CURRENT ENGINEERING AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH (IJCESR) 60------SENIORS------ 55 - 64 65 -74 75 -84 85 and Pre-retiree and Early retirees Older retirees Above Early retirees or Mature Elderly Adults Figure 1: Sniadek . J,(2006) Senior tourist market generally include planning for it well in advance. As they have the retired persons who have money and time to more leisure time they plan for long holidays in travel, those who are retired and still working for a more comfortable itinerary. Retirees always many reasons or persons who satisfies the age of prefer mid and off season as the best time for more than 60. Elder tourists are those their holidays since their travel is independent of demographic segment called as ‘empty nested’ holidays. with no family obligations. Elders are passive Alen, Dominguez & Losada, (2012). analysed tourists who are normally psycho centric (Tomka the behaviour of senior tourists. Their findings et.al, 2015). One thing to remember here is that reveal that ‘age alone does not decide the tourism there are many seniors with less purchasing demand of seniors, but there is a combination of power with health problems and with socio-economic variables. People with good responsibilities. The contribution of this group savings, high income, experience of travelling, to the travel market is not significant. positive perception on health and enough time Grey tourism –A market untapped travel. There comes a positive relationship Grey tourists, despite their propensity to between income level and preference to travel travel remain an untapped and untargeted market among seniors. Moreover seniors are more in tourism business. Like any other market, the flexible with respect to season but rarely senior travel market also need to be studied compromise for quality of service and comfort. carefully to understand the nature of the market, Hence this market overcomes the major issues of behaviour of these tourists and changes seasonality.(Eurostat, 2012) happening in the market over the period. Senior Bates, L.(2004) cited the result of Australian market was once considered as slow and dull. research which identified four groups of senior Today it is the most promising, rich and active tourists – Vacationers, Livewires, Explorers and market. The market of oldies is not a standard Homebodies. Vacationers, Livewires and one. It has specific preferences and motivations Explorers prefer to have change from usual days. determined by their ages and related They are highly motivated. Homebodies are attributes(Patuelli, R & Nijkamp,P., 2015 less motivated to have new experience. ).Various studies conducted in Europe brings to Special requirements for grey tourists light that, those seniors who have free time, Grey tourists always give priority for few of purchasing power, good health and who are their special needs while planning their holidays. active will hold onto the major share of future If unattended, those may become barriers to their tourism market (Eurostat(2012). WTO also travel. Finance, quality experience and health forecasted that by 2020, there will be a care facilities are the major concern for elder significant increase in the segment older than 55. travellers. Hence they always make plans for Travel Behaviour of Grey tourists travel finance in advance. Senior tourists are The tourist market today is ‘place specific’, ready to spent for quality experience and very ‘experience specific’ and gives more importance particular about the value for money in each for ‘special interests’(GS Ashworth&J.E. purchase. They also assure on health insurance Tunbridge, 2005). Each age group has its own and medical facilities available in the specific features and interests. Their travel destination. Safety and security form another behaviour is influenced by their demographic important condition in selecting a destination by features, motives and interests. Grey tourists this age group (Ben Golik, 1999). follow a different travel habit compared to What motivates seniors to travel? youngsters. Senior people because of their age The market of Grey tourists is heterogeneous in and experience acts realistically. Ben Golik( respect of their motivation to travel. Motives 1999 ) writes that seniors acclimatize their travel reveal the clear description of any travel market. habits to fit their lifestyle. They spend more time Extensive research has undertaken to examine in finalising their holidays and hence they start the travel motivation of senior travellers. The

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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CURRENT ENGINEERING AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH (IJCESR) previous researches highlight visiting friends live by following the philosophy of Sri and relatives(Lieux, Weaver, Mc Cleary, 1994), Aurobindo and his disciple ‘the mother’ and is rest and relaxation(Ronald.J, 1989), centred on Matri mandir, a meditation hall in the opportunities for socialization, exposure to novel shape of a golden ball. is open to situations and escape from stresses of daily special interest tourists for meditation. life(Zimmer, Brayley &Searle, 1995) as the attracts tourists in search for spiritual and major motives behind elders to undertake a tour. wellness experience. , 1.5 Physical activity, curiosity and possibility for kilometre long rock beach with colonial new experiences (Tomka D, Holodkov. V & buildings in one side attracts number of people Andjelkovic I, 2015) always encourage grey especially in weekends. Bharati park, tourists to travel. According to the study Chunnambar boar house, Botanical garden, conducted by Patuelli.R, & Nijkamp. P(2015 ), Puducherry Museum, Ousteri Lake, The Sacred novelty and knowledge, health and well being Heart church, Manakula Vinayakar temple are and nostalgia also inspire elders to travel to the other tourist attractions in Puducherry. special destinations. A good number of grey Puducherry is a potential destination which tourists find time only after retirement and can attract both the young as well as senior completing their family responsibilities to visit tourists. Various researches and the tourist places they have always wanted to. (Horneman, statistics reveal that domestic tourism market of Carter, Wey and Ruys,2002). Puducherry dominates with the young tourists Grey Tourists –A niche tourist market for from the neighbouring states- Tamilnadu and Puducherry Karnataka. This is a weekend phenomenon. The Puducherry, the former French colony, tourism in Puducherry mainly looks into this located about 170Kilometer from , is a market while promoting the destination. On the very popular tourist destination of South India. other hand, there is a promising large market of French left their legacy in the well planned town senior tourists who are primarily inbound, is not of Puducherry which is popular as French town attended seriously. The peaceful image, spiritual or white town area. This beach destination ambiance and wellness opportunities motivate attracts thousands of tourists both foreign and the grey tourist to Puducherry. This tourist domestic. Auroville located around 20km from market of Puducherry is untapped and will be the north of Puducherry is a universal township helpful in promoting Puducherry as a holistic where people from different countries, faith and destination. beliefs live in harmony. Auroville community RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS Who are the Grey tourists to Puducherry? -The Demographic profile Variables n=101 Percentage Gender Male 59.4 Female 40.6 Age 55-64 61.4 65-74 26.7 75-84 9.9 85 and above 2.0 Nationality Indian 63.4 Domestic 36.6 Qualification High school/plus two 17.8 Graduate 38.6 Post graduate 26.7 Doctorate 7.9 Others 8.9 Occupation Government services 18.8 Private sector 34.7 Business 5.0 Retired 16.8

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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CURRENT ENGINEERING AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH (IJCESR) Retired from public

and working in 11.9 private Housewife 12.9 Marital status Single 17.8 Married 67.3 Widowed 7.9 Divorced/separated 3.0 In a relationship 4.0 Salary/pension Less than 25000 5.0 25001-50000 32.7 50001-75000 38.6 75001-1lakh 12.9 Above 1 lakh 2.0 None 8.9

The study conducted among 101 senior Australia and Japan. Grey tourists to tourists to Puducherry reveal that male grey Puducherry were mostly graduates and post tourists dominate female. Majority were pre and graduates. Private sector job seems to be one early retirees who come under the group of 55- push factor for most of them (34.7%). Among 64(61.4%). Domestic tourists contribute more them many got retired and working with private (63.4%) to the grey tourism here. They were sector. The marital status reveals that married mostly from South India states namely senior couples visit Puducherry during their Karnataka, Kerala, Tamilnadu and Andra early retirement period. Senior people with Pradesh and Telangana. There were a notable salary /pension between 50000-75000 prefer to percentage (36.6.%) of foreign tourists from visit Puducherry(38.6%) followed by the lower European counties like, France, Belgium, Spain segment of 25001 -50000(32.7%). and England and also from Canada, USA, Travel behaviour and of Grey tourists Variables n=101 Percentage Once in a 6.9 month Frequency of Once in three 24.8 Travel months Once in 6 27.7 months Once a year 25.7 Very rarely 14.9 Peak season 18.8 Preferred Mid season 32.7 season Off season 48.5 Self 61.4 Sponsorship Company 15.8 for the tour Children 20.8 Others 2.0 Novel 18 experience Rest and 21 relaxation Health and 11 Wellness

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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CURRENT ENGINEERING AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH (IJCESR) Motivation to Friends and 5 involve in Family Travel Escape from 13 daily routine Business 6 Interaction with 11 people Nostalgia 2 Disposable 13 time Others 1 Solo 5.9 Travel With friends 29.7 Companionship With 38.6 parners/family With a group 23.8 Others 2.0 Less than a 6.9 Duration of week tour planning 15 days - 1 49.5 month 3-6 months 21.8 More than a 21.8 year Special Yes 18.8 preference for No 81.2 food Yes 7.9 Travel No 92.1 Insurance Airline 5.9 Discounts concession availed Train 13.9 concession Concession in 4.0 accommodation None 76.2

Grey Tourists reveal a unique tripographic travel. Senior tourists show a greater tendency profile. They undertake travel once in 6 months to travel accompanied (94%), mainly with (27.7%) or once in a year (25.7%). As literatures partners (38.6%). 29.7% travelled with friends on grey tourism disclose, senior tourists prefer and another significant number joined with their off season or low season to visit Puducherry. affinity group. Close to 50% of the respondents Majority of them were self sponsored (61.4%) or prepared for their trip in advance of 15 days to 1 sponsored by children (20.8%). Heterogeneity month. About 43.6% of seniors planned their regarding the motivation to visit gives ‘Rest and tour minimum three months before. It was relaxation’ (52%)and ‘novel experience’(34%) observed that even when senior tourists are as the major travel motives for Grey tourists. health conscious, they didn’t have any special Escape from daily routines, Opportunity to diet during the trip. 81.2% of the respondents interact with people, health and wellness, say that they don’t have any special preference Business and Nostalgia are the other reasons for for food while travelling. It was surprising that this group(In the same order of response) to more than average respondents do not have

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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CURRENT ENGINEERING AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH (IJCESR) travel insurance. They availed various discounts from airline (5.9%) , Railways(13.9) and accommodations(4%). Grey tourists –The tripographic profile in Pondicherry Variables n=101 Percentage Frequency of First 35.6 visit to Second 27.7 Puducherry Third 16.8 More than 14.9 three times Frequent 5.0 visitors Source of Friends and 73.3 information relatives Internet 14.9 Social media 11.9 Reason for Tourist 23 visiting attractions Puducherry Quiet 20 ambiance Spirituality 13 Health and 11 wellness Yoga and 12 meditation Opportunity for 19 volunteering 3 Any other

Duration of 1-2 days 1-2 days stay in 3-4 days 3-4 days Puducherry 5-7 days 5-7 days 2-3 2-3 weeks weeks one One month month more More than one than one month month Preferred Beach 14.9 accommodation resorts/resorts in Puducherry Hotels 34.7 Guest houses 39.6 Homestays 3.0 Others 7.9 Budget for the Less than 11.9 trip 10000 10001-20000 39.6 20001-30000 27.7

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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CURRENT ENGINEERING AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH (IJCESR) 30001-40000 15.8 40001-50000 2.0 50001 and 3.0 above Perception Yes 89.1 about tourist accessibility in No 10.9 Puducherry

Majority of the senior tourists who month and more than one month are worth responded to the questionnaire knew about mentioning. The majority opted guest house Puducherry from Friends and relatives (73.3%), (39.6%) and hotels (34.7%), for their internet (14.9%) and social media (11.9%). It accommodation and followed by is interesting to note that ‘Quiet ambiance’ of Resorts(14.9%). It is notable that the spending Puducherry attracts majority of the seniors of elder tourist in the destination is not very high. visiting Puducherry(89%). The tourist Budget for Puducherry is between Rs10,000- attractions of the destination (79%), Spiritual 20000(39.6%) . Another 27.7% spends between ambiance (40.6%), yoga and meditation (35.6) Rs. 20,000- 30,000. Finally, senior tourists and opportunity for volunteering are the other perceive Puducherry as an accessible reasons to visit Puducherry. It was observed that destination. senior’s trip to Puducherry was not very long. 1- Priorities while selecting a destination 2 days is the average duration of stay for senior Usually tourists consider many factors tourists which are the same as that of other while selecting a destination. Senior travellers segments. But, a significant percentage (27.7%) have their own interests and requirements for stays for 3-4 days and 5-7 days (16.8%). The which they give priority in his trip. Tourists were small percentage of seniors who stay for one asked to rank these factors based on the priority.

Sl. Parameters Rank No 1 Quality of Service 1 2 Calm and Quiet Ambiance 2 3 Comfort & Convenience 3 4 Safety & Security 4 5 Cleanliness 5 6 Affordability 6 7 Healthy Food 7 8 Accessibility in the 8 Destination 9 Health Care, Emergency 9 Facilities 10 Availability of Escorts 10 11 Tourism Infrastructure 11 12 Tourist Information Canters 12

The table explains the expectations of senior was ranked third. Respondents consider ‘safety tourists about the destinations. Because of their and security’, ‘cleanliness’ and ‘affordability’ as age, it would be difficult for them to compromise significant factors while finalising their itinerary. in many of these factors. ‘Quality of service’ is It is important to note that availability of the most important factor which decides the information centres and tourist infrastructure satisfaction level of elder tourists. They prefer a were given least priority. ‘calm and quiet’ and peaceful ambiance to relax. Challenges faced by Grey Tourists There is no surprise when senior tourists give Several problems may discourage seniors importance for ‘comfort and convenience’ which from travelling. From literatures the major

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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CURRENT ENGINEERING AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH (IJCESR) challenges or barriers faced by grey tourists were the important challenges faced by the tourists identified as Personal circumstances, visiting Puducherry, the respondents were asked companionship, Health, Finance, Time, family to rank these identified barriers. responsibilities and fear of travelling. To unveil Sl.No Barriers Rank 1 Health 1 2 Companionship 2 3 Personal circumstances 3 4 Family Responsibilities 4 5 Time 5 6 Finance 6 7 Fear of travelling 7

Only a healthy person plans to travel. both domestic and foreign tourists stay in Health is always a concern for senior people to Puducherry for 1-2 days followed by 3-4 days. travel. ‘Health’ is found to be the first challenge But the P value .011, which is less than .05 among the respondents also. Grey tourist mostly shows a significant association between like travel with someone close to him. Nationality and Duration of stay. ‘Companionship’ ranked as the second barrier The descriptive analysis highlights that for senior travellers followed by ‘Personal senior tourists prefer holidaying during mid or circumstances’. In Many family grandparents off season. Foreign senior tourists show their have to provide childcare when both parents are interest to plan their holidays in mid season working. Hence ‘family responsibility’ forms rather than off season. But domestic tourists another barrier for them to travel. The responses prefer off season than mid season. Pearson Chi- show that seniors do not have any fear to travel Square value shows a significant value .008 and and time and finance do not limit their travel supports the result. Nationality and preferences much. in season are dependent to each other Crosstab -Nationality vs. Time to plan, MAJOR FINDINGS Duration of stay and season preferred The findings of the study offer a There is always a notable difference between the prospective future for senior tourism market in domestic and international tourist market. So a India, especially, in Puducherry. Grey tourism clear understanding of these markets will help to could be considered as a major segment of design new products and services matching for domestic tourism and an key segment of their requirements. The cross tabulation between inbound tourism. Most of them are retied, but Nationality and Time taken to finalise the tour working with private companies. That unveil shows that there is no much difference between that they maintain their health well and active domestic and international senior tourists . to do work. Senior tourists have enough leisure Majority takes 15 days to one month and time and they chose to spend. followed by 3-6 months to plan a tour. The P Seniors like to travel frequently and plan value of Pearson Chi-Square test is 0.074, which their trip well in advance and seek value for is higher than the significant level of 0.05. money in all that they buy. Grey tourism Hence there is no significant association between enhances new vista for offseason and hence it Nationality of grey tourists and Time to plan can promoted a holistic tourism in Puducherry. their trip For most of the elder tourists, the trip was self Duration of stay is an important factor sponsored and for few others, sponsored by which determines the tourism development of a children. The self sponsored elders usually plan destination. When tourists stay more number of for their budget also in advance. days in a destination, the economic contribution Seniors travel for a range of reasons from tourism also will be more. Puducherry is including rest and relaxation, novel experience, a place popular as week end destination. disposable income, escape from daily routine, Department of Tourism is taking initiatives to opportunity interact with people, health and attract more tourists during week days also. wellness, business and Nostalgia. They mostly The tourist responses disclose that majority of feel safe to travel with partners or friends.

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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CURRENT ENGINEERING AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH (IJCESR) Concern for getting ill compel them to travel spouse would influence the buying behaviour. accompanied. A large number of senior tourists Grey tourists offer a great opportunity for a new visiting Puducherry, especially domestic tourists tourism market in India. In countries like do not have any particular diet plan. They are Australia, they have identified seniors as a fast aware and availing the special discounts offered growing travel oriented market segment. The by airlines, railways, accommodation units and government has initiated research in the area and in entry points of the tourist sites. designed strategies and ideas to target this Senior tourists are mostly referred to segment while promoting tourism. Current various destinations by friends or relatives. They elders are different from early generations in give values for direct testimonies than their life style and behaviour. The ‘new old’ is information available in the websites . Grey considered as a very significant potential market tourists have specific reasons for selecting a for tourism. The demographical changes in the destination. Quiet ambiance of Puducherry, the world affect the entire tourism demand and tourist attractions, Spirituality, opportunity to supply. Tourism industry in India also started to do yoga and meditation and opportunity for accept such new changes. A detailed analysis of volunteering were the reasons for selecting the potential for senior citizen market in India as Puducherry. Even with lot of such opportunities, well as the features and requirements of this they stay only for short duration. Guest house is demographic market is the need of the hour. the preferred accommodation for senior tourists The Grey Tourism market in Puducherry in Puducherry. The average spending in seems to be very optimistic. There is no clear Puducherry is less compared to their ability to statistics to know the total number of senior spend. tourists visiting Puducherry. But the profile of Senior tourists have their own parameters tourists visiting Auroville, involved in various to select a destination. They give priority for voluntourism activities, and staying in guest quality of service, peaceful ambiance, houses, hotels and resorts reveal a prosperous convenience and safety and security. market for Puducherry. The demographic and Cleanliness, affordability and healthy food are tripographic profile of senior tourists also few other concerns for them. They ensure highlight the importance of this segment. The accessibility in the destination and health care senior tourists’ travel motivations reveal that emergency services while planning the Puducherry is an ideal tourist destination which destination. matched with their requirements of peaceful and Seniors have some situations or factors, spiritual ambiance, comfortable destination, if not addressed can become barriers to travel. which is safe to travel and with good healthcare Health, family responsibilities and Finance are services. Moreover, the possibility for week day the most important factors which may limit their tourism as well as non seasonal tourism will travel. Availability of time, companionship, and bring more revenue by using available resources, other personal circumstances also can become boosts destinations and creates job. barriers to travel in the old age. Government can play a good role in The variable ‘nationality’ does not have reducing travel barriers for grey tourists. any influence on senior’s holiday planning. But Putting an effort to make destination it should be emphasised that, nationality of grey accessible to all will give a special image for tourists influence the decisions regarding the the destination and it will encourage the local duration of stay and time/season of travel. economy. Grey tourists can be provided with CONCLUSION AND discounts for the services and special RECOMMENDATIONS assistance on request. The website of Grey tourism market is as diverse as department of Tourism can be updated with many other markets. It consists of rich and poor, information on health facilities in Puducherry healthy and ill, educated and uneducated, and also on special services provided for senior physically active and passive, fast aging and low and other accessible tourists. Tour operators aging (Sniadek. J, 2006). Apart from this varied also can negotiate with the service providers nature, the happening in the early stages of for special discounted rates for senior tourists family life cycle along with the social situations and can design special tour packages for them at present which include children moving out, For the countries which give more retirement, birth of grand children and death of attention to new tourism markets, senior market

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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CURRENT ENGINEERING AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH (IJCESR) is the prosperous one. More than all it is a social 9. Michael Kofler( 2010) Grey Tourism in responsibility to encourage and support people Australia, Munich, GRIN Verlag, with limited mobility for various reasons. http://www.grin.com/en/e- Therefore further research in the field of grey book/152198/grey-tourism-in- tourism, its potential, tourist behavioural and australiaTourism future scope could be examined. 10. R. Patuelli & P. Nijkamp( 2015). Travel Senior tourists also want new experiences. So Motivations of Seniors: A Review and a if there is something different to offer, one can Meta-Analytical Assessment, Department of capture any market. In that way Puducherry has Science Economics, Universita' di Bologna. something different to offer for senior tourists as 11. Roberto Patuelli, Peter Nijkamp(2016) legacy, philosophy, spirituality, volunteering and Travel motivations of seniors- A review and many more. Little more research, strategic a meta-analytical assessment. Tourism planning, focussed destination promotion and Economics, 22( 4)pp.847 –62 offering quality service would help Puducherry 12. Ronald J. Faber and Thomas C. O'Guinn tourism to capture this lucrative travel market. (1989) ,Classifying Compulsive Consumers: REFERENCES Advances in the Development of a 1. Alén, E., Losada, N., & Domínguez, T. Diagnostic Tool, in NA - Advances in (2012), New opportunities for the tourism Consumer Research Volume 16, Pages: 738- market: Senior tourism and accessible 744 tourism. INTECH Open Access Publisher. 13. Śniadek, J. ( 2010): Senior citizens and 2. Bates, L., (2004). The value of grey tourism: their leisure activity: understanding leisure maximising the benefits for Queensland, behaviour of elderly people in Poland. In: Research Brief No 2004/04, Queensland Studies in Physical Culture and Tourism, 13, Parliamentary Library, Parliament House, 103-105. Brisbane. 14. Tomka, D., Holodkov, V., Andjelkovic, I. 3. Ben Golik(1999)Not over the hill. Just (2015). Quality of life as a travel enjoying the view : a close-up look at the motivational factors of senior tourists – seniors market for tourism in Australia, results of research in novi Adelaide : Dept. of Human Services. sad. Informatologia, 48(1-2), 62-70. 4. Callan, R.J. and Bowman, L. (2000) 15. Tomka, D., Holodkov, V., Andjelkovic, I. Selecting a hotel and determining salient (2015). Quality of life as a travel qualityattributes: preliminary study of motivational factors of senior tourists – mature British travellers. In International results of research in novi Journal of Tourism Research. Vol. 2 No. 1 pp sad. Informatologia, 48(1-2), 62-70. 97-118 16. Zimmer, Z., Brayley, R. E., & Searle, M. 5. GS Ashworth&J.E. Tunbridge(2005). S. (1995). Whether to Go and Where to Go: Recreation Research Vol 30(1), 45-54 Identification of Important Influences on 6. Horneman, L., Carter, R. W., Wei, S., & Seniors' Decisions to Travel. Journal of Ruys, H. (2002). Profiling the senior Travel Research, 33(3), 3-10 traveller: An Australian perspective. Journal 17. Eurostat(2012)Gender pay gap statistics, of Travel Research, 41, pp. 23-37. retrieved from 7. Hossain, A., Bailey, G. & Lubulwa, M. http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics- (2003). Characteristics and Travel Patterns of explained/index.php/ Older Australians: Impact of Population 18. Elderly in India-Profile and Programmes Ageing on Tourism. International 2016., Ministry of Statistics and Programme Conference on Population Ageing and implementation, . Health: Modeling our Future. Canberra, Retrieved from Australia. http://mospi.nic.in/sites/default/files/publica 8. Lieux,E.M,Weaver,P.A.,Mc Cleary tion_reports/ElderlyinIndia_2016.pdf K.W(1994). Lodging Preferences of the 19. Economic Development Committee, 2010. Senior Tourism Market, Annals of Tourism Retrieved from Research, 21(4),pp 712-728. http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/decisionBodyPr ofile.

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