Abstract:
While a considerable body of
research has identified and
described the North American
"snowbird" phenomena,
relatively little is known about
the Australian "grey nomads".
Snowbirds, like Grey Nomads,
travel relatively long distances
in self drive vehicles to winter
in warmer climates. Mings
(1997) suggests that Grey
Nomads, like the snowbirds,
could benefit from the
establishment of appropriate
resort faciiities. However this
paper provides evidence from a
qualitative survey of grey
nomads which suggests that
older self drive Australians
form at least two distinct
market segments. Some, like
the snowbird, are seasonal
migrants. However the true
Grey Nomad is motivated by a
different set of intentions, and
is vehemently opposed to
staying in an organised resort
of any sort.
