Analyzing the leisure activities of the Baby Boomers and the Generation of Liberation: evidence from South Korea

The purpose of this study is to reveal certain characteristics of the leisure activity patterns of different generational cohorts through their continuity of participation levels in leisure activities. This research also compares the daily and tourism destination leisure activities of the Baby Boomer Generation and the Generation of Liberation in South Korea, which are the two biggest senior groups. This continuity of participation level (referred to as a ‘stability pattern’) was found by defining the types of activities undertaken in daily life and comparing them to activities pursued when participants travelled overseas. The subjects for study were 382 senior adults over 50 years old. They were divided into two groups: Generation of Liberation (born between 1941 and 1954) and Baby Boomer Generation (born between 1955 and 1963). We found for both senior groups that if they participated in a certain leisure activity in their daily lives, they tended to participate in the same activity at tourist destinations. They were also consistent in carrying out leisure activities relating to education, exploration, and personal interests. The results showing the leisure activity patterns derived from this study bear practical implications for tourist producers and organizers as they strategically develop, improve, and package activities.