Model of Business Relations in Spa Tourism Enterprises and Their Business Environment

Abstract

Sustainable tourism, carried out on spa tourism enterprises, is a key issue that requires the combination of the implementation of economic goals of business activity and, at the same time, the limitation of negative influences on the tourist areas, which are valuable from the point of nature. The main objective of this article and, at the same time, the objective of theoretical–cognitive and empirical research, is to find links and mutual relations between the entities carrying out tourist and therapeutic activity in health resorts in a model approach, taking into account sustainable tourism elements. The implementation of the goal will be carried out on the basis of empirical studies, covering business models of 17 of the largest health resorts in Poland. The article describes relations occurring in the health resort environment and defines a model of relations between health resort enterprises and other entities functioning within this sector. The network approach of the studied issue is analyzed from the point of view of relations found in the complementary cooperation of entities, among which one is ready to implement the benefit and others express their need for the said benefit and are willing to be its recipients. The network relation of the second type, where the entities combine their forces to meet a common goal, is presented in the form of exemplification of the health resort enterprise network in the Polish market.

Transformation of Business Models in Spa Enterprises for Medical Purposes in Situations of Epidemic Threats

“…The expert opinion obtained by this method is, at the same time, complementary to the research conducted by the author in 2018-2020 on business models of spa enterprises [36,45].…”

(Re)thinking Thermalism in Europe From the Strategic Communication Perspective: A Theoretical Reflection

“…Cluster 3 -Business and Tourism Development Models, Sustainability and Promotion Strategies (Alen et al, 2014;Alina-Cerasela, 2015;Beriatos and Papageorgiou, 2009;Chrobak et al, 2020;Noviello and Smetkiewicz, 2019;Szromek, 2020;Szromek and Naramski, 2019;Szromek and Wybranczyk, 2019;Walton, 2014;Zunic et al, 2019) While Szromek and Naramski (2019) examine business management models for tourism treatment activities carried out in spas, emphasizing its uniqueness, for example, in terms of the raw materials available to the establishment (thermal waters). Alen et al (2014) propose an efficient business model with differentiated services as a strategy for survival.…”

“…Sustainability is now a prevalent concept and thermalism represents no exception. Szromek (2020) and Szromek and Wybranczyk (2019) propose a business model with sustainable policies and natural environments for mutual benefits. They mention, on the one hand, that the relationships developing in the health and wellness sector are promising coupled with the importance of applying a relational model based on mutual trust, extending also to companies and other entities within this sector, including the government through local government measures.…”

Evaluating the efficiency of the synergistic effect in the business network

“…Entrepreneurial network structures are mostly open structures, which are usually open for joining new business units, reflecting the content and basis of the functioning of this type of business organization (Szromek, 2020). But the main guarantee and condition for the establishment and development of business networks is the compatibility and consistency of the purpose of all business units, or business partners, of the network.…”