**5. Discussion**

The progressively aging population in modern societies forces us to draw attention to the social and economic implications arising thereof. Among these, the problems of senior touristic activity are worth focusing upon. Seniors nowadays, despite strongly rooted stereotypes, are an entirely different social group than in past decades. They are better educated, live in better conditions, make use of widely available information, and take interest in an active lifestyle, both occupationally and socially (see: Walker 2004; Sniadek ´ 2006; Patterson 2006). Bai et al. (1999) and Batra (2009) showed that older seniors prefer to travel accompanied. This is supported by the results of this research, according to which

most of the respondents had a secondary education, were economically well off, were willing to make their own travel arrangements, and prefer to travel with a spouse/partner.

According to a study conducted by Otoo and Kim (2018), the senior tourism market can have a positive impact on seasonality, as it provides a solution to bridge the gap between lean and peak tourist seasons. The current study has shown that seniors preferred not only the summer for their trips, but also spring and fall. This feature represents a major opportunity for tourism development in remote regions in the "low season".

Earlier studies into senior tourism indicated that retirees travel more to visit family and/or friends (Blazey 1992). This has not been confirmed in this study. Visiting friends and relatives is only ranked thirteenth among the 32 attraction factors considered when choosing a destination. Today, seniors take travel trips primarily because they want to be in nature or visit historical sites. They also attach importance to safety and quality services at the destination.

The research findings show that it is clear that the most important travel motivations of the respondents are rest and silence (3.96), escaping routine (3.86), improving the quality of life (3.76), and discovering something new (3.70). Esichaikul's (2012), Horneman et al. (2002), and Fleischer and Pizam's (2002) studies of senior travel motivations revealed similar findings. According to Woo et al. (2016) senior travelers today are interested in discovering new things and improving their quality of life more than previous generations of seniors.

Safety, nature, historical sites, the quality of services, and easy transportation connections are the top attraction factors of seniors, which is similar to the findings in the study by Norman et al. (2001). A large number of senior tourists still enjoy sun-sea-sand vacations (3.43) and are attracted to historical sites (3.90). The safety of the destination is the most important factor for respondents, which was also confirmed in Lindqvist and Bjork's (2000) study. Most European cities maintain their high standard of safety and, as a result, senior tourists would expect the same level of safety when traveling. The findings of a different study conducted by Patuelli and Nijkamp (2016) identified the key motives of senior travel as culture and nature, which are also very important for seniors from European remote regions.

Interviews conducted with representatives of the tourism industry and local authorities revealed that key among the significant problems negatively influencing the size of the senior tourism market in European remote regions mentioned by the respondents are the difficulties in reaching seniors with tourist offers through the inadequate promotion of tourist packages targeted at the elderly. This is supported by the results of another study conducted by Amaral et al. (2020), according to which it is very important to consider appropriate tools for promoting tourist offers targeted at seniors.

It is worth highlighting that mutual discussion on developing senior regional tourism during the conducted seminars also led to determining strengths and weaknesses of tourism resources, facilities, and services in remote regions of Europe (Table 9). Strengths include: hospitable local communities open to elderly tourists, natural and culinary attractions, historical conditions, low prices of tourist services, the safety of means of transport and stay, and cooperation between different stakeholders in the tourism industry when responding to the needs of seniors. Despite strengths, European remote regions also have some weaknesses, such as a lack of foreign language skills to communicate with senior tourists, limitations to their public transport, lack of English language information boards in places which are attractive to tourists, and insufficient touristic offerings.


**Table 9.** Strengths and weaknesses of tourism resources, facilities, and services in European remote regions.

Senior age is accompanied by various changes—physical, psychological, and social which affect the ability of seniors to explore opportunities to participate in touristic activities. In addition, other constraints, such as lower income and poorer health conditions, also affect seniors' participation in tourism. According to Huber et al. (2018), for that reason, specific social tourism programs are offered to encourage the participation of senior citizens in tourism. This is also confirmed by the conducted research. Based on the results of the questionnaire studies as well as the resources of the remote regions comprising the spatial area of the study, a few propositions for touristic offers for seniors were designed and implemented. Table A1 in the Appendix A presents selected good practices directed

towards the senior tourist. They were divided according to region, type of tourism, and offers. The Vidzeme region (Latvia) has two touristic products based on the resources of the region. Seniors interested in health and exploratory tourism can use the Ligatne Rehabilitation Center created in the Soviet Bunker. On the other hand, tourists interested in history and culture can enjoy the Museum of Regional History and Art in Vamiera. The offer of this place is also addressed to active tourists. Culinary tourism is being developed in North Karelia (Finland), where seniors have the opportunity to taste traditional dishes and experience the lifestyle of the Karelian inhabitants. Due to the natural resources of this part of Finland (forests), active tourism and ecotourism are also being developed here (also aimed at disabled people). Finns are very active in acquiring European funds for the implementation of innovative projects. One of them is the Tourist Guide for the Northern Periphery, which also benefits seniors. The region of Grenada in Spain, to attract seniors in the so-called "low season", has special programs called "Alhambra for seniors" and "Tropical Tourism Granada Programme". In Ireland, on the other hand, there is the "Golden years Holiday Programme" offered by one of the hotels located in a seaside resort. These programs are very attractive for seniors due to their lower prices and tailormade offers. The last example of a tourist offer addressed to seniors is a pilgrimage and culinary tourism program, which is developing in Warmia and Mazury (Poland). The "Saint Warmia" pilgrimage route connects 16 towns that offer religious places for seniors, as well as culinary attractions. The above examples of good practices of senior-oriented touristic products may be an inspiration for other European remote regions.
