Thermal Tourism: Study of the Profile and Motivations of the Practitioner in Portugal

Health and wellness tourism had a growing interest in the Portuguese population until 2019. However, with the ap-pearance of Covid-19, several establishments had to close over these two years, this segment being one of the most affected areas. Many water users looked forward to the opening of the spa resorts to continue their treatments. Giv- en the importance of this theme, this work has as its main goal the definition of a consumer profile and to identify the determinants of satisfaction of the thermal tourists, as well as to gauge the degree of knowledge of thermal tourism and specifically of spas in the Portuguese context. In methodological terms, a questionnaire survey was conducted among the tourists to achieve the research objectives. The results show a younger, healthier and diversified thermal tourism practitioner. It also reveals similarities with other profile and motivations studies. However, it is possible to notice a few differences. Practitioners are seeking a combination of a leisure and health dimension and valorise fac- tors such as location and access of the establishments, quality of the services provided and rest and tranquillity. An issue regarding their length of stay has been identified. As they are locals and live in the same country as the thermal spa, most respondents do not stay overnight at the destination. In the future, it would be interesting to research product development and market strategies for diversified thermal practitioners.

The Development of Health Tourism in Senegal's Coastal Region

In less developed countries (LDC), health tourism can be seen as a way of specializing in tourism. Covid19 makes even more imperative the need to promote health tourism and also to link it to a greater extent to wellness tourism, thus responding to the current market requirements. The main objective of this study is to assess whether the current tourism offer in Senegal (LDC) could allow health tourism to be implemented. An ad-hoc study has been performed in Senegal's Coastal Region, where interviews directed at the socioeconomic agents and structured questionnaires have been developed, collecting information from the two populations: one sample of 21 private clinics and another of 31 hotels. The data obtained were analyzed following a descriptive analysis. The results indicate that it is possible the developing of wellness tourism, but not medical tourism. Even in the case of a laborintensive product, offering health tourism as a new tourist product requires more modern and sophisticated technological equipment © 2023,African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure. All Rights Reserved.

In Search For New Urban Tourism Niche. Could European Cities Be Destinations For Urban Wellness Providing Food for Body, Mind and Spirit?

According to the United Nations Population Fund (2020), half of the world's population live in cities, and the number is estimated to rise to 75% by 2050. Although urbanization is seen as a major challenge from a health point of view, the development of urban wellness tourism offering would ideally benefit both tourists and locals. The growth rate of wellness tourism during the years 2015–2017 was almost twice as fast as global economic growth. Holistic wellness refers to the balanced elements of body, mind and spirit. This study argues that many European city destinations could provide the holistic wellness elements to their visitors.Tourism destinations continue competing with each other in a globalised marketplace, even more post-Covid-19. As a result, cities will invest considerable resources in their marketing activities and place branding. By recognizing and highlighting wellness tourism offering in their marketing, some urban Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) could stand out in this growing competition and get their share of wellness tourism growth.This study examines, which elements contributing to holistic wellness are currently being displayed on the visit.com websites of selected urban DMOs (N = 32) in the European Union. This is done using qualitative content analysis methodology. The findings indicate that there are several European cities that already display elements of urban wellness in their marketing. The practical implication for the DMOs in question could be to actively start developing their place brands towards urban wellness tourism niche by highlighting the supply of urban wellness they already have, for example, at their visit.com sites.

Health and Wellness Tourists' Motivation and Behavior Intention: The Role of Perceived Value.

In recent years, with the rapid change of people's health concept, health and wellness tourism has shown a vigorous development trend. However, existing literature has been lacking on travelers' behavioral intentions, influenced by their motivation in health and wellness tourism. To fill in this gap, we designed scales of tourists' behavioral intention and motivation in health and wellness tourism and investigated the aforementioned effects, with a sample of 493 visitors who have traveled in health and wellness tourism. Factor analysis and structural equation models were applied to explore the relations among motivation, perceived value, and behavioral intention in health and wellness tourism. The results indicate that health and wellness tourists' motivation significantly positively predicts their behavior intentions. Travelers' perceived value of health and wellness tourism significantly partially mediates the associations between their behavioral intention and escape motivation, attractive motivation, environmental motivation, as well as interpersonal motivation. No empirical evidence supports the mediating role of perceived value in the correlation between consumption motivation and behavioral intention. Health and wellness tourism industries are encouraged to meet the intrinsic motivation of travelers and make them perceive the value of this kind of tourism, which in turn promotes tourists' choice, evaluation, and satisfaction of health and wellness tourism.

Research on the relationship between wellness tourism experiencescape and revisit intention: a chain mediation model

PurposeThis study aims to construct a scale for measuring the spa hotel experiencescape in wellness tourism, clarify the mechanism through which wellness tourism experiencescape influences revisit intention and investigate the mediation roles of authenticity, memorability and organizational identification.Design/methodology/approachThis study conducted content analysis of interviews, online reviews and relevant articles and used the concept of experiencescape to interpret spa hotels' experiential environment. The stimulus–organism–response (SOR) model was used as the basis for introducing authenticity, memorability, organizational identification and revisit intention to investigate how wellness tourism experiencescape affects tourists' behavior. In total, 488 valid questionnaires were collected at Taiwanese spa hotel clusters.FindingsFour factors of spa hotel experiencescape were identified: health promotion treats, mental learning, unique travel experience and healthy diet. Existential authenticity–memorability and existential authenticity–organizational identification exerted full positive mediation effects in the relationship between wellness tourism experiencescape and revisit intention.Practical implicationsThis study provides guidance on experience design for spa hotels. It promotes the consideration of existential authenticity in wellness tourism design.Originality/valueThe COVID-19 pandemic has raised awareness of wellness, drastically increasing the potential of the wellness tourism market. This study investigated the construction of wellness tourism experiencescape and its influence, and the findings can facilitate post-pandemic restoration of the wellness tourism industry. On the basis of SOR model, a chain mediation model was proposed to reveal the influence of wellness tourism experiencescape on revisit intention. Existential authenticity was discovered to play a crucial role in the relationship between wellness tourism experiencescape and revisit intention, which suggests that existential authenticity should be considered during service design and in marketing strategies for wellness tourism.

Research on the relationship between wellness tourism experiencescape and revisit intention: a chain mediation model

Purpose This study aims to construct a scale for measuring the spa hotel experiencescape in wellness tourism, clarify the mechanism through which wellness tourism experiencescape influences revisit intention and investigate the mediation roles of authenticity, memorability and organizational identification. Design/methodology/approach This study conducted content analysis of interviews, online reviews and relevant articles and used the concept of experiencescape to interpret spa hotels' experiential environment. The stimulus-organism-response (SOR) model was used as the basis for introducing authenticity, memorability, organizational identification and revisit intention to investigate how wellness tourism experiencescape affects tourists' behavior. In total, 488 valid questionnaires were collected at Taiwanese spa hotel clusters. Findings Four factors of spa hotel experiencescape were identified: health promotion treats, mental learning, unique travel experience and healthy diet. Existential authenticity-memorability and existential authenticity-organizational identification exerted full positive mediation effects in the relationship between wellness tourism experiencescape and revisit intention. Practical implications This study provides guidance on experience design for spa hotels. It promotes the consideration of existential authenticity in wellness tourism design. Originality/value The COVID-19 pandemic has raised awareness of wellness, drastically increasing the potential of the wellness tourism market. This study investigated the construction of wellness tourism experiencescape and its influence, and the findings can facilitate post-pandemic restoration of the wellness tourism industry. On the basis of SOR model, a chain mediation model was proposed to reveal the influence of wellness tourism experiencescape on revisit intention. Existential authenticity was discovered to play a crucial role in the relationship between wellness tourism experiencescape and revisit intention, which suggests that existential authenticity should be considered during service design and in marketing strategies for wellness tourism.

Nuevas prácticas sostenibles en salud y bienestar destinos turísticos enfocados en la calidad de vida y bienestar

This work presents new practices that can be followed in health and wellness tourism destinations, with a greater focus on promoting human wellbeing, based on the strategy presented for the Caldas da Cavaca Thermal Spa Resort in Portugal. In this study, the methodology used was based on empirical data collection. Four techniques were used, namely a benchmarking strategy, complemented by questionnaires to managers of thermal spas, and a questionnaire survey aimed at the clients and manager of Caldas da Cavaca. In this strategy, a set of 40 strategic actions were defined. These actions are in line with the policies and strategies defined by public decision-making international, national, regional and local organizations. In this sense, with regard to the promotion of quality of life and wellbeing, it is possible to highlight 14 measures that strengthen this orientation. It should position itself as an innovative, attractive thermal wellness destination that invites to a healthy lifestyle, in a calm and peaceful environment in interaction with nature.Alternate : Este trabajo presenta nuevas prácticas que se pueden seguir en los destinos turísticos de salud y bienestar, con un mayor enfoque en la promoción del bienestar humano, a partir de la estrategia presentada para el Balneario Termal de Caldas da Cavaca en Portugal. En este estudio, la metodología utilizada se basó en la recolección de datos empíricos, se utilizaron cuatro técnicas, a saber, una estrategia de benchmarking, complementada con cuestionarios a gerentes de balnearios termales, y una encuesta cuestionario dirigida a los clientes y gerente de Caldas da Cavaca. En esta estrategia se definen un conjunto de 40 acciones estratégicas. Estas acciones están en línea con las políticas y estrategias definidas por los organismos públicos de toma de decisiones internacionales, nacionales, regionales y locales. En este sentido, en lo que respecta a la promoción de la calidad de vida y el bienestar, es posible destacar 14 medidas que fortalecen esta orientación. Debe posicionarse como un destino de bienestar termal innovador y atractivo que invita a un estilo de vida saludable, en un entorno tranquilo y pacífico en interacción con la naturaleza.

The Urban Blue Space as a Wellness Tourism Destination

The term blue space encompasses all accessible surface water as a parallel concept to green space, not as a sub-division of it, it is defined as open-air natural or manmade environments that features water, reachable by individuals either adjacently (being in, on, or near water) or virtually (to have the vision, hearing, or sensing water);blue space has a lot of health-related qualities, these qualities are well studied in previous literature, but there is a gap in connecting it with the wellness tourism destination. The research aims to investigate the fitness of blue urban space as a wellness tourism destination. From reviewing the literature, research had extracted the main concept of blue space factors on the one hand and the components of wellness tourism on the other hand. The research supposes there is fitness between them, which was applied as a conceptual framework. The methodology of the research had used an analytical, conceptual framework to assess the availability of success factors in urban blue space Zawraa Park et al. in Baghdad, Iraq, and check for its fitness to make the park a wellness tourism destination. The research concluded that the blue space enhances the park's wellness and fits it to be a wellness tourism destination according to its place making spatial attributes social interaction services provision and physical well-being. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Transformational model of well-being for serious travellers

This study examines the transformational prospects of yoga tourism by focusing on serious yoga travellers at a retreat centre in Rishikesh (touted as the yoga capital of the world) India. Yoga travellers participating in yoga teacher training programmes, for the purpose of knowledge advancement lasting for more than two weeks, are referred as serious travellers or yogis in this study. A three-phased approach is used: (1) pre-trip anticipation of benefits;(2) onsite transformation effects;and (3) enduring transformation after returning home. This study is exploratory in nature and its data are anchored in a survey of 23 participants at a preeminent yoga ashram in Rishikesh using positive emotions, engagement, relatedness, meaningfulness and accomplishment profiler. Furthermore, it obtains insights on the enduring transformative benefits of wellness travel, upon return home, by conducting a survey of the same cohort after a period of one year. © 2021 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Wellness tourism: Conceptual analysis and trends

Crisis, social discontent, and dissatisfaction among people lead to a greater interest in relaxing the soul, body, and mind as a refuge within tourism. Thus, there are changes and new trends in international health tourism's demand and supply conditions. Even before the deep crisis caused by the new coronavirus pandemic in 2020, people increasingly turned to health and wellness activities while traveling, especially using tourist activities to achieve health. Since consumption patterns are changing among travelers, such as the growing popularity of wellness tourism, new forms of tourism may stimulate future tourism activities, and the changes are expected to push businesses to reevaluate their service designs and distribution channels. When the recovery of the tourism sector is under discussion, it is worth questioning how wellness trends could help tourism and what the perspectives are for the future. Therefore, this chapter makes recommendations based on new tourists' demands and new processes and protocols for the operation of wellness tourism services. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Attribute Framework Validation for Wellness Tourism within the Context of Thailand

Background: Research on the theoretical integration of attributes of wellness tourism in the form of the physical, mental, spiritual, and environmental (PMSE) attribute framework and the effect of cultural differences on the framework validation has not been conducted before. Objectives: This study developed and validated the key underlying attributes of the wellness tourism experience framework within the Thailand context. Methods: From reviewing the related literature to identify potential sub attributes under the four dimensions of the PMSE framework, themes were developed using a theory- and prior research-driven method within different cultural contexts. The fitness of the PMSE attribute framework model within the context of Thailand wellness tourism was confirmed through a survey design with a quantitative approach from the generalities of the sample groups. The entire dataset was statistically tested with descriptive statistics and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Results and Conclusions: After adjustments, the four-factors with a 28-item model substantiated the data. The results validated that the mental experience dimension accounted for the most variance, with an indicator value of 0.99 in the framework, predicting the effective wellness tourism experience better than the other attributes. Experience design should involve the participation of all stakeholders in the wellness tourism system in terms of managerial contribution. Recommendations for the planning of wellness experiences concerning each four-factor will be investigated in future studies.

Comparison of Perceptions of Wellness Tourism in Korea Before and After COVID-19: Results of Social Big Data Analysis

Purpose: This study explored strategies aimed at revitalizing wellness tourism in the post-coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) era, and investigated consumer perceptions of wellness tourism before and after the outbreak of COVID-19. Design/methodology/approach: Keywords pertaining to wellness tourism were extracted from social media platforms, such as Naver, Daum, and the social network service (SNS) Facebook, as well as from the search engine Google. Text mining, frequency analysis, centrality analysis, and CONCOR analysis were conducted on the extracted keywords. The study period was divided into pre- and post-COVID-19 outbreak periods (4,984 and 4,360 keywords, respectively). In total, 100 and 50 searches were analyzed in the pre- and post-outbreak periods, respectively. Findings: Prior to the outbreak, awareness of wellness tourism and programs appear to have been high, while after the outbreak specific wellness tourism destinations, including Jeju and Gangwon, were recognized. In addition, the desire for healing of both body and mind appeared to be greater after the outbreak. Research limitations/implications: In the post-COVID era, local governments and policymakers will need to develop programs to boost local wellness tourism. Advertising and promotion on online social media platforms and SNS, emphasizing the positive effects of wellness tourism such as healing and meditation, could further increase the number of visitors to these destinations. Comparative research on wellness tourism in different countries will also be important, as perceptions of COVID-19 may vary among various countries such as Korea, Japan, and China. Originality/value: In the past, wellness tourism studies focused on research topics such as tourism development and tourism motivation, but this study resulted in the expansion of the research by applying the social media big data analysis method, which has recently attracted attention in the hospitality industry.

Exploring the wellness dimensions of wine tourism experiences: a netnographic approach

Purpose In a post-COVID world, tourists seeking wellness through unique tourism experiences is expected to intensify. The purpose of this study is twofold - to provide baseline information to explore interlinkages between wine tourism and wellness and to identify wine tourism experiences that create a sense of wellness among wine tourists. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts a netnographic approach by analysing user-generated content collected from the TripAdvisor platform. A total of 2,117 reviews of seven wineries in Maharashtra, India, were coded. Findings Fourteen interpretive codes were identified and positioned within Dunn's (1959) four dimensions of wellness, namely, body, mind, spirit and environment. The findings suggest that wine tourism experiences allow wine tourists to rejuvenate their mind, body and spirit, enhancing a sense of holistic wellness. Practical implications Proposed wellness dimensions of the wine tourism framework can be used by practitioners to enhance the quality and variety of their wine tourism offerings, extending into the realm of wellness. Originality/value To the best of the authors' knowledge, based on the literature review, there are few studies examining wine tourism through the lens of wellness. Also, the study uses Indian wineries as the study site, offering an insight into tourist experiences of this growing wine tourism market.

Recovery experience of wellness tourism and place attachment: insights from feelings-as-information theory

Purpose This study, guided by the feelings-as-information theory, aims to explore the effect of recovery experience of wellness tourism (REWT) on place attachment, alongside an examination into the mediating role of self-perceived health and the moderating role of health goal salience. The research site was traced for two years to monitor the evolution of the proposed model during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach The successive independent samples data (in 2020 and 2021, respectively) were collected in Shizhu county, China. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used with a survey of 1,472 wellness tourists (N-2020 = 494, N-2021 = 978) to test research hypotheses empirically. Additionally, independent sample t-test and multi-group SEM analysis were used to compare the mean difference of variables and coefficients' difference between 2020 and 2021. Findings This study reveals that REWT can increase self-perceived health, resulting in a positive influence on place attachment. By tracing the research site and comparing the successive independent samples data, we found a stronger recovery experience effect of wellness tourism on place attachment alongside a weaker effect on self-perceived health in 2021. The positive relationship between self-perceived health and place attachment is significantly strengthened when health goals are salient. Originality/value This study investigated the mechanism behind the formation of place attachment in the wellness tourism context and extended understanding on the dynamic nature of the REWTand ongoing evolving person-place relationship during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study also provided practical suggestions to benefit industry practitioners by enhancing current understanding of improving experience-based management in wellness destinations.

Wellness travel motivations in the wake of COVID-19

COVID-19 pandemic has placed human health under unprecedented issues since its outbreak in 2019. During COVID-19, people were restricted to one place, which caused many psychological and other health-related concerns among them. Hence, this study aims to understand wellness tourists' key wellness travel motivations in Rishikesh, India, during the COVID-19 lock-down period and post-pandemic. To conduct this quantitative research work, data were collected through a structured questionnaire from 232 domestic wellness tourists. Exploratory factor analysis was used for the factorial structure of the observed variables, and multiple regression analysis was used to test the study hypotheses. The study establishes an understanding that Rishikesh offers an anticipated atmosphere to wellness tourists from rejuvenation to d-stress to detoxification and body fitness even in a COVID-19 type crisis. Though India is getting momentum in wellness tourism, its infrastructure and professionalism need improvement to maintain the faith of wellness tourists in the destination image.

Wellness tourism and the components of its offer system: a holistic perspective

Purpose>The purpose of this paper is to conceptually examine the phenomenon of wellness tourism under a holistic and systemic lens, focusing on the offer system and the main components necessary for the staging of wellness experiences. This approach to holistic wellbeing within the tourism sector has led to a broadening of the type of services and experiences that make up the value propositions that can positively contribute to people’s wellbeing.Design/methodology/approach>This study identifies and defines the components of wellness tourism (including sectors not traditionally associated with it) through a review and analysis of the extant literature on “wellness tourism” and “wellbeing tourism” of the past two decades;the components were classified through an open coding process.Findings>Wellness tourism, as a broad multidimensional concept, is composed by ten different components of the offer system: hot springs, spas, medical tourism, care of the body and mind, enogastronomy, sports, nature and environment, culture, spirituality and events. Each of these categories may represent a single touristic offer targeted to specific market segments, but they may also be one of several components within an integrated mix of tourism products proposed.Originality/value>A holistic view of wellness tourism has implications for strategic marketing processes. Destination Management Organizations and company managers should segment their demand according to more innovative criteria than what has traditionally been adopted for wellness in terms of health care and medical procedures. Value propositions for tourists should be wellness-driven to satisfy the growing demand for wellness/well-being and should involve the participation of all the various actors and producers within the wellness tourism offer system at wellness destinations.