Factors Associated with Spa Tourists’ Satisfaction

Anaya-Aguilar, Rosa; Gémar, Germán; Anaya-Aguilar, Carmen

doi:10.3390/math9040332

Cited by 12 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 48 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Most respondents discussed limiting unnecessary purchases and saving electricity and water. Anaya-Aguilar et al (2021) confirm the importance of natural resources and the quality of the natural environment for the satisfaction of health resort services. The activities of enterprises and tourist areas aimed at the protection of natural resources are also important for tourists (Ding et al , 2020; Yan, 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 62%

Health tourism enterprises and adaptation for sustainable development

Szromek

Puciato

Markiewicz-Patkowska

et al. 2022

IJCHM

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose The purpose of this study is to assess the level of adjustment of the activities of health tourism and hospitality enterprises to the sustainable development criteria developed by the global sustainable tourism council. Design/methodology/approach The main research method used in this study was a diagnostic survey – an in-depth interview. This research was conducted among managers of 18 of the largest enterprises that conduct tourism and wellness activities in Polish health resorts. Findings The analysis of the research results indicated that only every other surveyed health resort entity implemented a sustainable development system or program. Most health resort entities undertook initiatives to support the local community in the field of education, health, sanitary safety and mitigating the negative effects of climate change. The respondents also unequivocally stated that they used good practices in promoting cultural heritage among health resort guests. Almost all of the analyzed enterprises applied solutions aimed at saving natural resources, i.e. reducing unnecessary purchases and saving electricity and water. Participation in programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and means of transport usage was very rarely declared. Practical implications It is recommended to include environmental issues in the business models of health tourism entities, e.g. by including them in the strategy, including mission, communicating pro-environmental goals and actions to stakeholders, and applying environmental management systems and concepts. Originality/value The research problem is a strong point of the work, as the issue of sustainable development of tourist organizations has rarely been discussed so far. Health resorts were also not considered the subject of research in this area. In this research, the authors assessed the degree of compliance of health tourism enterprises with the requirements of sustainable development, which is a contribution to the science system.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 62%

Health tourism enterprises and adaptation for sustainable development

Szromek

Puciato

Markiewicz-Patkowska

et al. 2022

IJCHM

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Despite the evolution, thermal treatments are an important therapeutic tool supported by centuries of experience and numerous scientific studies proving their effectiveness (Rodrigues et al , 2019; Silva et al , 2020). The water emerges with a healthy purpose (Gössling et al , 2012; Anaya-Aguilar et al , 2021b) and for Campon-Cerro et al (2020), tourism products that link water and health are a response to modern tourists increasingly interested in living better.…”

Section: Theoretical Perspectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A theoretical reflection on thermalism and communication: future perspectives in times of crisis

Antunes

Gonçalves

Estevão

2022

JHTI

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

PurposeThe purpose of this article is through a systematic literature review (SLR) to present a conceptual approach to the importance of communication for thermalism. An in-depth analysis of scientific publications provides a conceptual understanding about the definition of thermalism and the importance of communication in the thermal sector. The intention is also to identify the major challenges for communication in thermalism in times of crisis. The literature on conceptual approaches in the field of thermalism is almost non-existent, and this is an important contribution of the research presented.Design/methodology/approachTo achieve the objectives, an SLR was carried out, through the Preferred Reporting Items Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) Statement method, using the Web of Science and Scopus databases. A total of 139 articles were found, of which only 26 were used for the qualitative analysis. EndNote 20 and Nvivo software were used to identify the articles for the study, their analysis and systematization of the collected information.FindingsThe results, among others, through an in-depth analysis of scientific publications, clarified the definition of thermalism and provided relevant results for better understanding of the importance of the dimensions of communication for thermalism.Research limitations/implicationsThe research addresses the current scarcity of academic work on the importance of communication applied to a thermal destination and the lack of relevant strategic models for the diffusion/promotion of a destination. Finally, a limitation was the fact that only 2 databases were considered and only journal articles were included. As a future line of research the authors propose extending the theme to thermal tourism experiences. In addition, scientific studies focusing on water-based experiences connected with thermalism are almost non-existent and very relevant for the future of the sector, as well as studies in the area of communication with the following research questions: where do tourists consult information when choosing a travel destination? and what are the appropriate communication channels to reach the thermal market?; We close this reflection by concluding that the thermal tradition, through the know-how of the medical class, the properties of thermal waters and the cultural history associated with its early days, stimulated more recently by implementing innovations, will regain its role in preserving health and well-being through thermal water and the exploitation of territories' endogenous resources. These factors are the basis through which communication sciences can create strategies adapted to each country to promote a thermal destination brand.Practical implicationsResearch in tourism destination management has provided solutions, through communication, to problems that are faced daily by countries, and the authors hope this research also contributes to the recovery of thermal tourism destinations in times of crisis. It is also from this perspective that based on the main themes and dimensions of communication identified in the SLR that the authors propose the Corporate, Organisational, Skills, Management and Online (COSMO) model to help promote resilient thermal destinations prepared for future crises. The diversity and originality of this research model will be useful for destination promoters, spa managers and communication professionals.Social implicationsThis study contributes to the literature by providing a theoretical framework of excellence in thermalism. One possible way to solve the ambiguity of terms related to thermalism is to consider another more comprehensive term as a combination of different approaches. The aim is not to create an academic division, but rather to contribute to better conceptual understanding, from a theoretical and paradigmatic perspective, of what thermalism is. Here, a new targeted and more comprehensive concept emerges, which from the academic perspective of communication sciences will lead to prevention for a new way of feeling good with life, contributing to promoting thermal destinations in the world with a greater understanding.Originality/valueFor better understanding of the concepts, this study proposes a new definition of thermalism. As research related to thermal destinations, through communication management contributes to attract tourists, promote experiences, provide the human capital of the sector with skills and create authentic and resilient place brands. It is from this perspective that the model was proposed, based on the dimensions of communication related to the main themes obtained through the SLR. This model supports a plurality of communication strategies, with different characteristics and objectives but which meet a collective purpose: to disseminate information about thermalism, in order to build collective knowledge to promote thermal destinations. The analysis highlights the need for further research into thermalism, with special focus on communication.

show abstract

“…The present study focused in profiling spa-goers because they are changing more noticeably. The goal was to improve the existing knowledge about spa users and allow managers to redesign the services offered to increase consumer satisfaction and loyalty [23,24,32].…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Typology of Spa-Goers in Southern Spain

2021

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This study sought to obtain conglomerates of spa-goers in Andalusia, Spain, based on a survey of 10 spas’ users. The data from 725 valid survey questionnaires were analysed using a quantitative approach. The results show that 44.6% of users are between 65 and 88 years old and more than 60% are women. Approximately 50% of the respondents are retired, and 60% report a monthly income of less than 1000 euros. Three clusters were identified in the segmentation analysis: users with lower, partial and higher satisfaction. Over half (58%) of the respondents belong to the higher satisfaction segment. Thermal tourism evidently has a strong potential for attracting other tourist segments. Andalusia has thermal springs that attract many tourists, which are located in places of great natural beauty and are part of inland towns’ economic development. The findings confirm the need to improve the existing understanding of spa-user typologies. The benefits derived from health tourism can be analyzed from the concept of value proposition for the company, the user, the community and its environment. To generate income, spa companies must meet the expectations of stakeholders and this begins with an organization that constantly learns and innovates to satisfy users. The managers of the spas lead these projects, introducing important changes in their offer, from traditional medical aspects to facilities and therapies based on relaxation and sustainable natural tourism, promoting their organizations with sustained objectives over time capable of satisfying all stakeholders, creating value capable of attracting and satisfying the different segments of spa tourists, as this study shows.

show abstract

Factors Associated with Spa Tourists’ Satisfaction

Cited by 12 publications

References 48 publications

Health tourism enterprises and adaptation for sustainable development

Health tourism enterprises and adaptation for sustainable development

A theoretical reflection on thermalism and communication: future perspectives in times of crisis

A Typology of Spa-Goers in Southern Spain

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About