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Health-Oriented Tourists and Sustainable Domestic Tourism

Author

Listed:
  • Timothy J. Lee

    (Sustainability Research Centre, School of Social Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC Queensland 4558, Australia)

  • Ji-Sook Han

    (Navi Wellness Tourism Research & Development, Saechang-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul 04168, Korea)

  • Tae-Gyou Ko

    (Department of Business Management, College of Business, Hallym University, Chuncheon 24252, Korea)

Abstract

Health-oriented tourism has emerged as one of the fastest-growing niche tourism fields worldwide. Although there have been studies on the relationship between health and travel behavior, most have been from the perspective of travel motivation and have rarely examined the impact of travel on health. This study explores those travel elements that have a positive influence on health in the domestic health tourism industry, with health being viewed across three domains: psychological, physical, and social. A total of 28 health-contributing travel items reported by 862 package tour participants were analyzed. On the psychological health dimension, experiencing good feelings and escaping bad ones is important. On the physical wellness dimension, natural patterns of food intake during the day is strongly recognized, including the results of increased appetite and improved digestion. On the social health dimension, relationship improvements were experienced, along with a greater understanding of partner(s). These findings add to our understanding of traveler wellness, a significant step towards having the right information to enhance the quality of travel services, especially in the domestic health tourism industry.

Suggested Citation

  • Timothy J. Lee & Ji-Sook Han & Tae-Gyou Ko, 2020. "Health-Oriented Tourists and Sustainable Domestic Tourism," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-16, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:12:p:4988-:d:373272
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Milica Z. Bookman & Karla R. Bookman, 2007. "Medical Tourism in Developing Countries," Palgrave Macmillan Books, Palgrave Macmillan, number 978-0-230-60565-7, December.
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    2. Amir Ghorbani & Hossein Mousazadeh & Farahnaz Akbarzadeh Almani & Masoud Lajevardi & Mohammad Reza Hamidizadeh & Mehrdad Orouei & Kai Zhu & Lóránt Dénes Dávid, 2023. "Reconceptualizing Customer Perceived Value in Hotel Management in Turbulent Times: A Case Study of Isfahan Metropolis Five-Star Hotels during the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-19, April.
    3. Nadeem Ullah & Shagufta Zada & Muhammad Amir Siddique & Yike Hu & Heesup Han & Alejandro Vega-Muñoz & Guido Salazar-Sepúlveda, 2021. "Driving Factors of the Health and Wellness Tourism Industry: A Sharing Economy Perspective Evidence from KPK Pakistan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-16, December.
    4. Milica Ranèiæ Demir & Mila Zeèeviæ, 2022. "Wellness Tourism Research: Bibliometric Study of the Scientific Field," Academica Turistica - Tourism and Innovation Journal, University of Primorska Press, vol. 15(1), pages 53-63.
    5. Cristina Lupu & Ana Isabel Rodrigues & Oana Mihaela Stoleriu & Martina G. Gallarza, 2020. "A Textual and Visual Analysis of the Intrinsic Value Dimensions of Romania: Towards a Sustainable Destination Brand," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-23, December.
    6. Anđelina Marić Stanković & Ivana Radonjić & Marko Petković & Darko Divnić, 2022. "Climatic Elements as Development Factors of Health Tourism in South Serbia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-18, November.
    7. Liyun Zeng & Rita Yi Man Li, 2021. "Tourist Satisfaction, Willingness to Revisit and Recommend, and Mountain Kangyang Tourism Spots Sustainability: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-20, September.
    8. Chathukulam, Jos & Tharamangalam, Joseph, 2021. "The Kerala model in the time of COVID19: Rethinking state, society and democracy," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    9. Peiman Ghasemi & Amir Mehdiabadi & Cristi Spulbar & Ramona Birau, 2021. "Ranking of Sustainable Medical Tourism Destinations in Iran: An Integrated Approach Using Fuzzy SWARA-PROMETHEE," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-32, January.

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