Toward inclusive tourism: aging, well-being, and hospitality in later life

Abstract Population aging is reshaping tourism and hospitality, yet research has often overlooked the diversity of experiences, roles, and well-being needs across later life. Older adults’ engagement in tourism as travelers, workers, or community participants remains understudied despite its potential to enhance quality of life, social connection, and personal fulfillment. This Special Issue, Aging in Tourism and Hospitality, presents six articles examining a range of tourism stakeholders through diverse research approaches. Two supply-side studies show how tourism work enhances the well-being and life satisfaction of ­older workers and host community members, while the remaining four focus on the demand side, highlighting the benefits of ­leisure and tourism activities for older travelers. The transcontinental research settings underscore the global significance of aging in tourism. The editorial concludes by identifying future research directions, emphasizing the value of interdisciplinary inquiry at the intersections of aging, health, and tourism.