CCTV News (News Broadcast): Senior citizens have become an important group in the tourism market, especially during the off-season, when they are the main force behind off-peak travel. Scenic spots across the country are continuously upgrading their facilities and services to be more age-friendly, helping senior tourists travel more easily.
To meet the travel needs of senior citizens, many scenic spots are improving online services and leveraging new technologies such as AI to help them bridge the "digital divide" and enjoy new ways of traveling with technology. The "Xia Yangzhou" online smart tourism platform, created in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, uses AI-powered digital humans to convert speech and text, providing accessible services such as guides and maps for elderly tourists with hearing impairments. It can also generate personalized itineraries with a single click based on individual interests and preferences.
The Western Xia Imperial Tombs, which were successfully inscribed on the World Heritage List in July 2025, have undergone a comprehensive upgrade to "age-friendly" services. They have added barrier-free access, ramps, and free wheelchairs for the elderly and disabled, and installed one-button alarm devices in key areas such as elevators and toilets. With just a press, the command center can quickly dispatch personnel to provide assistance through intelligent positioning.
Meanwhile, travel agencies and platforms have launched a series of diverse tourism products suitable for senior tourists, including slow travel, health and wellness tours, and migratory bird trains. According to the "Action Plan for the Integrated Development of Culture and Tourism and Civil Aviation Industry" jointly issued by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Civil Aviation Administration of China, airlines and airports will accelerate the "age-friendly" renovations, launching services such as rest areas for elderly passengers, in-flight meals for seniors, and priority seating for seniors, further optimizing the travel environment for senior citizens.
