The silver economy on wheels: a narrative review of the mature-aged, hypermobile gig worker phenomena

Abstract

In this narrative review, we provide a historical overview of the rising trend towards vehicle-based living, focusing on matureaged, hypermobile, gig workers. We draw on findings from several bodies of literature, including road-based tourism and digital nomadism, as well as narratives from popular culture artefacts. Focusing on the nexus of tourism, housing, senior entrepreneurship, remote work, and active ageing, we identify opportunities for the growing silver economy, including ways for regional areas to attract patronage and leverage purchasing decisions associated with shifting population demographics. Scholarly awareness of this previously neglected, and largely invisible cohort of society is weak. Further research is proposed to aid in better understanding the needs of mature-aged, hypermobile gig workers, and associated market opportunities.

‘Enjoyers’, ‘seekers’ and ‘vacationers’. Proposal for a typology of motorhome travellers in Europe

“…Although the official numbers show a global trend of growth in this form of travel, several authors warned about the lack of scientific research on the subject, which has generated some gaps in knowledge about the phenomenon of motorhome travel (Caldicott et al, 2022; Dias and Domingues, 2018; Eager et al, 2022; Espiner et al, 2023; Fieger et al, 2020; Hardy and Gretzel, 2008; Hardy and Kirkpatrick, 2017; Higgs and Quirk, 2007; Kearns et al, 2016; Lashley, 2015; Mahadevan, 2013; Rizvi et al, 2021). This article forms part of a broader investigation aiming to fill some of these gaps.…”

“…With this article, we want to add knowledge to the fields of leisure, travel, and tourism but also to the discussion about ‘active ageing’ and ‘successful ageing’ as motorhome lifestyle can be considered a healthy alternative and as a quality of life promoter for the retirement or pre-retirement period (Eager et al, 2022; Higgs and Quirk, 2007; Holloway, 2007; Viallon, 2012).…”

“…Until recently, most studies suggested that those adhering to this practice were retirees or people in a pre-retirement situation, namely those belonging to the baby boom generation (born between 1946 and 1964) coming from affluent countries (Counts and Counts, 1992, 1996; Holloway, 2007, 2009; Mahadevan, 2014; McHugh and Mings, 1991; Mings, 1997; Onyx and Leonard, 2007; Patterson et al, 2015; Pearce and Wu, 2018; Viallon, 2012; Wu and Pearce, 2017). More recent works, however, point to a growing diversification of the labour situation of motorhome users, as well as their practices and motivations (Eager et al, 2022; Gretzel and Hardy, 2019; Mundet et al, 2023; Rizvi et al, 2021; Zhao, 2020).…”

“…The origin of this movement has been attributed to Foster Huntington, who, in 2010, dissatisfied with his comfortable life in New York and working for a large international company, decided to dedicate himself to an alternative lifestyle and moved to a Volkswagen van to explore life on the road. (Dorn, 2015; Eager et al, 2022; Mohabeer, 2023).…”

“…What Huntington did not know in 2010 was that, as he was publishing images of his new life – characterised by mobility, simplicity, contact with nature and strong aesthetic and environmental components – on social networks, his digital footprint ‘hashtagvanlife’ (#vanlife) was spreading the concept and inspiring thousands of young people around the world to follow his example (Dorn, 2015; Eager et al, 2022). However, in many cases, this adherence goes against the very assumptions that led its founder to choose this lifestyle (Mohabeer, 2023).…”