The Role of Government and Community Support in Promoting Tourism Experiences Through the Application of Technology in the Tourism Business for The Elderly

Objective: This study investigates the role of government and community support in promoting elderly people’s tourism experience through the application of technology in the health tourism sector. Theoretical Framework: This research focuses on the relationships between government support, community support, technology adoption, and tourism experience. Method: A quantitative study was conducted with 400 elderly subjects aged 60 years and over in Bangkok and the central region of Thailand. The data analysis was conducted using structural equation modeling (SEM). Results and Discussion: The results showed that government support had a direct impact on community support and technology adoption, with an indirect impact on tourism experience. Community support played a significant mediating role, directly affecting tourism experience and indirectly through technology adoption. In addition, technology adoption had the strongest direct impact on tourist experience. Research Implications: The findings highlight the crucial role of government and community support in promoting elderly health tourism through technology. Government policies should focus on digital infrastructure development and community collaboration to enhance accessibility and safety. Additionally, tourism operators should adopt smart technologies to improve convenience and tailor services to the specific needs of elderly travelers. Originality/Value: This study presents a novel framework integrating government, community, and technology in elderly health tourism, distinguishing it from prior research that examined these factors separately. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and tourism businesses to develop service models that directly address the needs of elderly tourists.