Enhancing the Potential of Senior Tourism in the Galápagos Islands: Challenges and Strategic Opportunities

This study examines how the Galápagos Islands can better meet the needs of the rapidly expanding senior travel market. Using a sequential exploratory mixed-method design, the study combined qualitative input from senior tourists and tourism companies with quantitative survey data from 877 senior tourists and 30 tourism firms. PLS-SEM and MGA identify accessibility as the system’s primary structural catalyst, associated with safety perceptions, experiential engagement, and overall destination attractiveness. Results highlight a cognitive disconnect: seniors prioritize emotional reassurance, social connection, and low-effort experiences, while companies focus on infrastructure and operations. The study calls for accessibility-driven redesign that integrates emotional and social factors. Future research should explore how digital navigability and trust cues are associated with senior decision-making in remote island contexts.