The emerging concept of travel therapy in health science: Will it be applied to tourists visiting sub-frigid climate zones?

Wen, Jun; Zheng, Danni; Hu, Fangli

doi:10.2478/fzm-2022-0027

Cited by 10 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Just as music is being applied as a nonpharmacological disease intervention (Leonardi et al , 2018), travel therapy may fulfill a similar role (Norris, 2022; Wen, 2022). We defined travel therapy as a therapeutic approach that enhances people’s physical and psychological health and well-being through positive travel experiences (Wen et al , 2022a). Travel therapy creatively bridges the medical and social sciences to benefit both disciplines.…”

Section: Conclusion and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Travel medicine in hospitality: an interdisciplinary perspective

Wen

Zheng

et al. 2023

IJCHM

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Purpose This paper aims to introduce an under-researched concept, travel medicine, to the hospitality field and proposes future research directions. This paper also highlights the need to acknowledge the missing link between hospitality and medical science and encourages research on the health of hotel guests, especially those with mental disorders. Design/methodology/approach By synthesizing relevant literature, this study proposes a conceptual framework focused on identifying and filling knowledge gaps between hospitality and medical science. Pathways for empirical research on hotel guests’ travel health are suggested accordingly. Findings This paper reveals that the topic of travel medicine has been neglected in hospitality, especially in relation to vulnerable hotel guests. Additionally, this study suggests that researchers should move beyond the confines of social science and conduct interdisciplinary hospitality studies. In-depth analyses of hotel guests’ health and safety are also recommended. Research limitations/implications This conceptual piece serves as a “provocation” that is exploratory, thus laying a foundation for future interdisciplinary studies bridging hospitality and medical science. This paper offers practical significance for hospitality stakeholders (i.e. academics, practitioners, hotel guests and society) and also provides guidelines on how to create vulnerability-friendly hospitality environments. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study takes an important step toward interdisciplinary research between hospitality and medical science through the lens of travel medicine. This paper offers insight to bridge these disciplines and extend hospitality research into medical science. This paper further identifies an under-investigated topic and feasible research avenues that can offer timely solutions for hospitality academics and practitioners.

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Section: Conclusion and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Travel medicine in hospitality: an interdisciplinary perspective

Wen

Zheng

et al. 2023

IJCHM

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“…As the prevalence of mental disorders rises, exacerbated by global crises such as COVID-19, there is an increasing recognition of affected individuals as a potentially significant but often overlooked segment within the tourism and hospitality industry. Viewing travel as a non-pharmacological intervention can elevate the well-being and life quality of people grappling with mental disorders (Wen, Zheng, & Hu, 2022). However, determining travel suitability for these individuals demands a collaborative approach, drawing expertise from the tourism, hospitality, and medical industries.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The benefits of travel therapy can extend across a spectrum of health states, benefiting not only those in perfect health but also individuals in suboptimal health or those with diagnosed medical conditions (Wen, Zheng, & Hu, 2022). Notably, non-pharmacological interventions often have a more pronounced positive impact on mental health compared to physical ailments (Cunnington & Junge, 2016).…”

Section: Mental Disorders and Travel Eligibilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Research indicates tourism's potential in alleviating depressive symptoms (Levi et al, 2019) and even suggests its role as a non-pharmacological intervention for dementia (Wen, Zheng, & Hu, 2022). Yet, despite its benefits, the question of accessibility remains-not every individual with a mental disorder has the means to travel, mainly due to physical and mental constraints (Huang et al, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Tourism extends beyond mere leisure and recreation (Wen, Kozak, & Jiang, 2022), serving as a powerful tool for mental recovery (Buckley, 2019; Buckley & Westaway, 2020; Buckley et al, 2021; Cooper & Buckley, 2022). Research indicates tourism’s potential in alleviating depressive symptoms (Levi et al, 2019) and even suggests its role as a non-pharmacological intervention for dementia (Wen, Zheng, & Hu, 2022). Yet, despite its benefits, the question of accessibility remains—not every individual with a mental disorder has the means to travel, mainly due to physical and mental constraints (Huang et al, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mental Health on the Go: Navigating Travel and Travel Eligibility

Hu,

Wen,

Lim

et al. 2023

Journal of Travel Research

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The 21st century has seen tourists from various source markets significantly impacted by non-communicable diseases, including mental disorders. Yet, research and practice frequently overlook tourists with mental disorders. Building on Buckley’s discussion in the Journal of Travel Research about tourism and mental health, this study examines the travel eligibility of tourists diagnosed with four prevalent mental disorders: major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), schizophrenia, and dementia. We present preliminary recommendations for accommodating these tourists and highlight the urgent need for collaborative efforts between stakeholders in tourism, hospitality, and medicine.

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