SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF SENIOR TOURISM IN THE TURKESTAN REGION

Abstract

This article examines the socio-economic characteristics of senior (elderly) tourism in the Turkistan region. The main objective of the study is to identify the demographic profile of senior tourists, their economic capacities, the factors influencing their participation in tourism, and to develop recommendations for regional tourism development. A mixed-methods approach was employed, including a survey of 100 senior tourists and in-depth interviews with 15 participants. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed using SPSS 27 and NVivo 12, respectively. The results show that senior tourists in the Turkistan region are predominantly aged 60–70, mostly women, all retired, and generally have secondary or higher education. Financial constraints limit their travel to domestic destinations once or twice a year, while international travel remains largely inaccessible. The key factors influencing travel decisions include health conditions, financial capacity, transportation and infrastructure, safety, and the quality of tourism services, whereas social motivation was found to be of secondary importance. To promote the development of senior tourism, the study recommends improving tourism infrastructure, introducing financial support programs, ensuring safety, enhancing service quality, and organizing targeted social activities. The findings contribute to regional tourism development, encourage greater participation of senior tourists, and enrich the academic literature on tourism studies.