Residential tourism, characterized by extended stays at travel destinations, has gained increasing popularity among seniors. Guided by time perspective theory and self-determination theory, this study examines how a balanced time perspective influences senior travelers’ residential tourism intentions. Survey data were collected from 453 older adults in China. The results reveal that a balanced time perspective is positively associated with higher residential tourism intentions, with perceived social support and meaning in life serving as mediators. Moreover, this effect is significantly stronger for employed seniors than for retired seniors. For employed seniors, the mediating role of meaning in life is particularly pronounced, while for retired seniors, perceived social support plays a more prominent mediating role. These findings offer practical insights for promoting residential tourism through a deeper understanding of seniors’ travel behaviors.
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