Algarve and Salamanca universities look at 'senior tourism' sector

Paul 09 February 2015

oldperson The University of the Algarve is partnering Salamanca University in Spain in a joint research programme to look at the ageing population in the Iberian Peninsula.

The partnership will create postgraduate training methods and continuing education to meet the needs of the increasing senior population and will trigger research into 'senior tourism,' a key development sector for the Algarve.

"The objective of this agreement is to work on the problems arising from the fact that the average age of the population is going up," explained the researcher Nidia Braz at the Center for Studies and Developments in Health at the University of Algarve.

“Senior tourism is an issue that certainly will see a lot of development," said Braz, noting that the potential and existing provision in the Algarve for senior tourism were determining factors for the participation of the University of the Algarve in the project.

Another objective of this protocol is for universities to work together and liaise with the community with a special focus on relations with business and other social partners.

The universities will cooperate and prepare projects that allow specific initiatives to access funding.

Comments

-5 #6 Ed 2015-02-15 14:21

Quoting Mag Demey:

What about pets friendly hotels ??? Very difficult to find, and ageing people would appreciate...

See our report on some of Portugal's Pousadas welcoming pets
http://www.algarvedailynews.com/news/4244-algarve-pousadas-welcome-dogs#comment-3133
Ed

-5 #5 Mag Demey 2015-02-15 12:35

What about pets friendly hotels ??? Very difficult to find, and ageing people would appreciate...

-6 #4 mr joao martins 2015-02-12 13:23

Quoting Karel:

Very amusing story: 50 years ago Spain started promoting itself as "Paradise for Third and Fourth Age People" mainly in winter time. The advertisements were so good that whole flocks went to Marbella, Malaga and these other magic places that on very short notice had been metamorphosed into "senior friendly heavens". And they are still today.... 5O years later !
It's rather cynical to see Portugal "just discovering that segment in population". Imagine.... half a century later !!!! Poor Portugal.

Cut it out, the rocks are very heavy here in Portugal, do you know how long it takes to crawl out from under one of those,, a very long time.

-2 #3 Karel 2015-02-10 12:58

Before the Portugese can even think about "senior tourism" a complete "revolution" in the country is necessary: as Simon says accomodations have to be heated properly (and that's a problem as more than half of the properties do not even have a basic heating system....), restaurants should be open and heated in winter time (and not closed as a lot of them are in winter time), there should be created a consumer-friendly approach in the townships where at least all shops should be open in stead of closed,
the leisure sector will have to be adapted offering casinos, bars, coffee shops, cinemas, musea, cultural events, sports events, etc. etc. That will of course need much of "creative thinking work", investments, marketing campaigns and time. But the most important element will be "the eager and the will and the effort to do it" and unfortunately that's the weak point in Portugal. As a conclusion one can say "once again, this is a good idea but like all other "good ideas" it will probably only stay "a good idea"....

-3 #2 Simon 2015-02-10 11:02

Buildings need to be properly insulated with adequate heating to cater for October to March accommodation.
Certainly a big potential market but health provision and languages need to be thought about.

-3 #1 Karel 2015-02-10 10:59

Very amusing story: 50 years ago Spain started promoting itself as "Paradise for Third and Fourth Age People" mainly in winter time. The advertisements were so good that whole flocks went to Marbella, Malaga and these other magic places that on very short notice had been methamorfosed into "senior friendly heavens". And they are still today.... 5O years later !
It's rather cynical to see Portugal "just discovering that segment in population". Imagine.... half a centuray later !!!! Poor Portugal.

Refresh comments list

You must be a registered user to make comments.
Please register here to post your comments.

JComments