A model for developing evidence-based health tourism: the case of 'alpine health region Salzburg, Austria'.

Steckenbauer, Georg Christian; Tischler, Stephanie; Hartl, Arnulf; Pichler, Christina

doi:10.1079/9781786391315.0069

Cited by 5 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…(Voigt and Pforr, 2014a). This competition is based on a complex concept, namely, destination competitiveness, which is defined by destinations internal and external core competencies and resources (Dwyer and Kim, 2003;Steckenbauer et al, 2017). Competitiveness is the ability to create and integrate value-added products while sustaining destinations' resources and maintaining its relative market position (Hassan, 2000).…”

Section: Wellness As a Competitive Advantage In Urban Destination Mar...mentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Saari

2022

Tourism and Hospitality Research

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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.

show abstract

Section: Wellness As a Competitive Advantage In Urban Destination Mar...mentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Saari

2022

Tourism and Hospitality Research

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…For example, based on the medical research of the Krimml waterfalls, the health tourism initiative 'Hohe Tauern Health' was developed that promotes evidence-based health tourism products for the target group of allergic and asthmatic guests [136]. This initiative has developed into a major economic and innovation factor as it led to the creation and higher qualification of job profiles and triggered cross-sectorial regional innovations such as allergy-friendly timber construction [137].…”

Section: Waterfallsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Medical Evidence of Alpine Natural Resources as a Base for Health Tourism

Pichler

Hartl²,

Weisböck-Erdheim³

et al. 2022

Digital and Strategic Innovation for Alpine Health Tourism

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The Alpine space disposes of excellent prerequisites to respond to the increasing demand of nature-based health tourism. Despite a growing scientific knowledge on the manifold benefits of human interaction with Alpine natural resources, the health tourism potential has not yet been fully exploited by Alpine regions. Based on major push and pull factors, the current state of scientific knowledge on the healing potential of nine selected natural Alpine resources is presented and discussed with regard to their health tourism potential. Major research gaps as well as starting points for future studies are demonstrated. In this way, the present work contributes to an applicable knowledge base on the health benefits of Alpine resources to enhance regional innovation capacity in terms of sustainable health tourism development. As tourism regions are increasingly taking evidence-based approaches to health tourism and regional development, the resulting lighthouses will contribute to the positioning of the Alpine space as globally attractive healing environment.

show abstract

“…Health tourism based on the application of natural resources is seen as a promising segment within a positive tourism and destination development [ 17 , 21 , 30 , 31 ]. Based on this, Steckenbauer et al [ 20 ] foresee a clear upward trend towards the use of nature and natural remedies for health-oriented tourism. In this context, Schalber and Peters [ 32 ] emphasize that destinations with a rich supply of natural resources are particularly well-placed to benefit from this.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Evidence-based proof of the effectiveness of health offers can generate competitive advantages in the medium- to long-term [ 20 , 21 ]. In this context, the decisive factor is not the health-oriented product alone, but the combination of the product with other offers available in the destination, which, in turn, represent unique selling points; these include, for example, cuisine, traditional practices or regional architecture [ 41 ].…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Correspondingly, there is a paradigm shift in our understanding of health: rather than focusing exclusively on overcoming an illness by applying a selected medical therapy, it is now seen more in the light of prevention, with health-preserving or, ideally, health-promoting measures [ 9 , 20 , 21 ]. Taking a holistic view, the term health also encompasses aspects such as wellbeing, energy, dynamism and vitality [ 22 , 23 , 24 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Geography Matters, But… Evolving Success Factors for Nature-Oriented Health Tourism within Selected Alpine Destinations

Schmude

Pillmayer

Witting

et al. 2021

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This paper analyzes the success factors of health tourism based on natural attractions in selected European spa and health destinations. The natural resources included in the offers, such as water, salt, and air, play a central role in this context, as their evidence-based effects have a high relevance for the health and wellbeing of tourists. Due to its specific geographical location and considering the threat of climate change, however, this offer is facing increasing challenges which make adaptation strategies necessary. In addition to a conceptional introduction to the topic, this paper contains a descriptive analysis of tourism statistics and the results from self-administered questionnaires with six selected representatives from alpine health destinations (DE, FR, IT, AT, CH, SI). The results show varying forms of health tourism based on natural attractions, which are also reflected in online marketing, with potential for optimization. The web research and the responses to the questionnaire revealed that evidence-based studies hardly play a role in promoting health touristic offers. Furthermore, climate change effects on natural attractions are considered extremely small and tend to prompt the development of new offers. Health destinations are advised to generate a clearer focus on the risks of climate change regarding natural resources.

show abstract

A model for developing evidence-based health tourism: the case of 'alpine health region Salzburg, Austria'.

Cited by 5 publications

References 0 publications

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

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

Medical Evidence of Alpine Natural Resources as a Base for Health Tourism

Geography Matters, But… Evolving Success Factors for Nature-Oriented Health Tourism within Selected Alpine Destinations

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About