A TOUR agency in Japan has teamed up with a university to come up with tours specifically to help senior travellers improve their wellbeing and even ward off dementia.
Tokyo-based Club Tourism International is working with Tohoku University’s Institute of Development, Ageing and Cancer on a three-year study that will monitor the impact of travel on people aged 60 or older. The study began in July with a group of Club Tourism customers.
“We built the hypothesis that a person who travels often has a higher subjective wellbeing and a higher ability to cope with stress and cognitive brain functions than a person who travels less often,” said Mitsuharu Nojima, general manager of the department at Club Tourism overseeing the project.
“If we are able to scientifically prove that travelling has a positive impact on the brain and cognitive functions, we will have demonstrated that travel is beneficial in preventing dementia and extending healthy life expectancy.”
A preliminary survey suggested that the more frequently an older person travelled, the more likely they were to have a positive outlook on their lives.
“In parallel with the research, we are planning to provide tours, courses and events designed to promote ‘travelling and brain health’ for our senior customers,” Nojima added.
Set up in 1980, Club Tourism provides group and cultural tours both within Japan and abroad, with the majority of its customers older travellers.
