Integrating Tourism and Wellness: Exploring the Development Model of Senior Living Tourism in Coastal Cities: A Case of Dalian, China

Junjie Zhu; Fangbo Luo; Hongyu Li; Yingshu Shi

doi:10.47297/wspceWSP2516-251904.20250906

PDF
Export
Share
Collection
Album

Integrating Tourism and Wellness: Exploring the Development Model of Senior Living Tourism in Coastal Cities: A Case of Dalian, China

Volume 9, Issue 6

Views: 0 Downloads: 0

Integrating Tourism and Wellness: Exploring the Development Model of Senior Living Tourism in Coastal Cities: A Case of Dalian, China
Integrating Tourism and Wellness: Exploring the Development Model of Senior Living Tourism in Coastal Cities: A Case of Dalian, China
School of Management, Liaoning University of International Business and Economics, Dalian, Liaoning, 116052, China
Vol. 9, Issue 6, Pages: 22-26(2025)
Published：30 December 2025
DOI：10.47297/wspceWSP2516-251904.20250906
Accepted：

Scan QR Code

Zhu Junjie,Luo Fangbo,Li Hongyu,et al.Integrating Tourism and Wellness: Exploring the Development Model of Senior Living Tourism in Coastal Cities: A Case of Dalian, China[J].Creative Economy,2025,09(06):22-26.
DOI：

Zhu Junjie,Luo Fangbo,Li Hongyu,et al.Integrating Tourism and Wellness: Exploring the Development Model of Senior Living Tourism in Coastal Cities: A Case of Dalian, China[J].Creative Economy,2025,09(06):22-26. DOI： 10.47297/wspceWSP2516-251904.20250906.

摘要

Abstract

As China transitions into a deeply aging society

senior living tourism has become a promising response to the growing demand for diversified aging lifestyles. This model blurs the traditional boundary between tourism and elderly care

offering older adults the opportunity to maintain mobility

autonomy

and social participation while accessing continuous wellness services. Coastal cities possess unique geographical and cultural advantages for developing this new form of active aging. Dalian

located on the southern tip of the Liaodong Peninsula

provides an exemplary case of how tourism and healthcare industries can be strategically integrated to form a sustainable

livable system for the elderly. Drawing upon international comparative cases and field-based observations

this study explores Dalian's potential to transform from a seasonal retirement destination into a year-round livable city for seniors. The findings highlight three developmental pathways: industrial integration

service innovation

and digital transformation. A Tourism–Wellness–Culture Integration Model is proposed to link tourism experiences

preventive health management

and cultural identity into a coherent structure. The study contributes to global aging discourse by illustrating how tourism-oriented cities can respond to demographic transitions through wellness-driven and human-centered innovation.

关键词

Keywords

references

Peng D . Negative population growth and population ageing in China [J ] . China Population and Development Studies , 2023 , 7 ( 2 ): 95 - 103 .

Przybysz K , Stanimir A . Tourism-related needs in the context of seniors' living and social conditions [J ] . International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health , 2022 , 19 ( 22 ): 15325 .

Zhang Q , Zhang H , Xu H . Health tourism destinations as therapeutic landscapes: Understanding the health perceptions of senior seasonal migrants [J ] . Social Science & Medicine , 2021 , 279 : 113951 .

Zhang P , Wang J , Li R . Tourism-type ontology framework for tourism-type classification, naming, and knowledge organization [J ] . Heliyon , 2023 , 9 ( 4 ).

Hu F , Wen J , Phau I , et al . The role of tourism in healthy aging: An interdisciplinary literature review and conceptual model [J ] . Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management , 2023 , 56 : 356 - 366 .

Qiao G , Ding L , Xiang K , Prideaux B , Xu J . Understanding the value of tourism to seniors' health and positive aging [J ] . International journal of environmental research and public health , 2022 , 19 ( 3 ): 1476 .

Pillmayer M , Scherle N , Pforr C , et al . Transformation processes in Germany's health resorts and spas–a three case analysis [J ] . Annals of Leisure Research , 2021 , 24 ( 3 ): 310 - 327 .

Pozo Menéndez E , Higueras García E . Best practices from eight European dementia-friendly study cases of innovation [J ] . International journal of environmental research and public health , 2022 , 19 ( 21 ): 14233 .

Hongri T , Peilin L , Bohua L I . Perception of tourism destination image in Dalian based on network text analysis [J ] . Economic geography , 2021 , 41 ( 3 ): 231 - 239 .

Yin M . Analysis of Influencing Factors of Dalian Tourism Economic Income and Expansion Suggestions [J ] . Frontiers , 2024 , 5 ( 2 ).

Butler R W . Seasonality in tourism: Issues and implications [M ] // Seasonality in tourism . Routledge, 2001 : 5 - 21 .

Bonham-Corcoran M , Armstrong A , O'Briain A , et al . The benefits of nature-based therapy for the individual and the environment: an integrative review [J ] . Irish Journal of Occupational Therapy , 2022 , 50 ( 1 ): 16 - 27 .

Niu H J , Wu E T , Yen C Y , et al . From Visitors to Vitality: How Relational Populations Support Regional Revitalization in Aging Urban and Rural Areas [J ] . Sustainable Futures , 2025 : 100669 .

Ratsimandresy A , Miemczyk J . Conceptualising collaborations beyond industrial boundaries: a literature review and a theoretical proposition to understand cross-industrial collaborations in the circular supply network [J ] . Sustainability , 2023 , 15 ( 11 ): 8850 .

Velikova E , Tzvetkova S . Options for Overcoming Seasonality in Bulgarian Tourism [J ] . European Journal of Economics and Business Studies , 2018 , 4 ( 2 ): 187 - 196 .

McKercher B , Prideaux B , Thompson M . The impact of changing seasons on in-destination tourist behaviour [J ] . Tourism Review , 2024 , 79 ( 6 ): 1197 - 1209 .

Seng K P , Ang L M , Peter E , et al . Machine learning and AI technologies for smart wearables [J ] . Electronics , 2023 , 12 ( 7 ): 1509 .

Zhong L , Deng B , Morrison A M , et al . Medical, health and wellness tourism research—A review of the literature (1970–2020) and research agenda [J ] . International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health , 2021 , 18 ( 20 ): 10875 .

Jiang Y , Yu G . Navigating the nexus between senior tourism and healthy aging: a post-neoliberal perspective [J ] . Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics , 2025 .

Alert me when the article has been cited

Submit

Elderly Care Apartments in Dalian: Challenges, Opportunities, and Policy Implications for China's Aging Society

Related Author

Yingshu Shi School of Management, Liaoning University of International Business and Economics

Xue Han School of Management, Liaoning University of International Business and Economics

Related Institution

No data

⁰