Use of the Internet by 'silver surfers' for Travel and Tourism Information Use and Decision-making: A Conceptual Review and Discussion of Findings

Information search is a recognised aspect of tourism decision-making process theory. However, there remains relatively little empirical research that demonstrates the complexity of information search in relation to the temporal sequence of decision-making. Further the literature fails to problematise the relationships between age, knowledge acquisition and information needs. This paper discusses these conceptual issues in relation to a small pilot study of ‘silver surfers’ (older members of society – the so-called ‘grey market’ who actively use the Internet). It suggests tentatively that information needed and used is different, not connected to an immediate purchase and proposes further study into this crucial aspect of consumer theory and information use.