China boosts senior tourism with ‘Silver Trains’

15-02-25

China has announced an ambitious initiative to boost tourism among its growing senior population by launching a network of ‘Silver Trains’ specially designed for this demographic. The move aims not only to offer travel options tailored to the needs of the elderly, but also to boost the economy in off-peak tourist seasons.

According to data from the Ministry of Civil Affairs, by the end of 2022, one in five Chinese citizens will be over the age of 60, and this proportion is expected to continue to rise in the coming years. This ageing population, the result of decades of birth control policies and increasing life expectancy, poses significant economic and social challenges for the country. In response, the Chinese government has decided to implement policies that promote ‘silver consumption’, i.e. spending by the senior population, as a strategy to maintain economic dynamism.

The ‘Silver Trains’ will be equipped with medical facilities and specialised care services to ensure the comfort and safety of elderly passengers during their journeys. This network is expected to cover the entire country by 2027, allowing seniors to explore various regions of China in optimal conditions. This initiative is the result of collaboration between the China State Railway Group and various tourist train operating companies, which have experienced a remarkable boom in recent years.

A Commerce Ministry official stressed that these trains will operate mainly during low seasons, avoiding peak travel associated with festivals such as the Spring Festival. ‘Seniors have more time and are more flexible in their plans,’ he said, stressing that this flexibility will allow for a better distribution of tourist flow throughout the year. This strategy is comparable to the Imserso travel programme in Spain, which seeks to encourage tourism activity among the elderly population and generate income in destinations during the low season.

In addition to offering travel opportunities to the over-60s, the ‘Silver Trains’ are designed to boost the development of tourism-related industries such as hotels, restaurants and health care services. This initiative is expected to contribute to the creation of jobs and the strengthening of the local economy in various regions of the country.

This measure is part of a broader context of social and economic reforms in China. Recently, the country announced a gradual increase in the retirement age, the first such change since 1978. From 2025, the retirement age for men will be raised from 60 to 63, while for women in physical labour it will rise from 50 to 55, and for those in skilled roles from 55 to 58. This reform, to be implemented over 15 years, also envisages an increase in the minimum contribution period from 15 to 20 years by 2030.

These reforms seek to address the challenges associated with China's ageing population and shrinking workforce. With life expectancy exceeding 78 years and the population declining from 2022, the Chinese government is implementing policies to ensure long-term economic and social sustainability. The development of the ‘silver economy’ is a key part of this strategy, and the ‘Silver Trains’ represent a significant step towards integrating the senior population into the country's economic dynamism.

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