The Aging Population and the Hospitality Industry in 2010: Important Trends and Probable Services

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Abstract
The continued rapid growth of the elderly population in the first decade of the 21 st century previews the unprecedented aging of the population to occur in subsequent decades. The time window under discussion in this article-present to 2010—is essentially the last opportunity for the hospitality industry to prepare for the onset of a truly aged society. While overall demographic characteristics of the aging popula tion are impressive, the variability among subgroups within the older age cohorts are the most important factors in predicting hospitality needs and opportunities. In particular, demographic variability among the elderly, with regard to health status, income, and family structure, is critical to various future scenarios. Additionally, the aging population will progressively be better educated and more experienced consumers of hospitality services and products. It is suggested that the psychological construct of "personal control" will be increasingly important to developers as a criterion in judging the acceptability of hospitality industry products intended for this more sophisticated, aging clientele of the future. Several examples of services oriented toward significant subgroups of the future elderly are described.

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