Wellness Tourism—New Challenges and Opportunities for Tourism in Salou

Abstract

Following a long history of using various strategies and policies for diversification and seasonal adjustment in the face of the challenges of achieving economic, social, and environmental sustainability, sun and beach destinations should also consider targeting the wellness tourism market as a post pandemic opportunity and long-term solution. Salou is a mature sun and beach destination in the Mediterranean, but one which, for some time, has had an increasing commitment to family and sports tourism as a result of a strategic renewal process. Now, with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the destination management organization is considering the evolution of the model, the internalization of sustainability as a fundamental value, and the impact of different markets. In this study, we examined the challenges the Salou Tourist Board has faced during the development of a post pandemic model for sustainable tourism and what strategies it has adopted in response. We also considered the opportunities and competitive advantages that Salou has in the field of wellness tourism. The results obtained should encourage the continuation of work that promotes the environmental axis of sustainability and adds value to the natural resources on which it depends, including the sea and the landscape, while maintaining the environmental quality of the resources.

The importance of food and beverages in wellness experiences: a cross-continental analysis of tourists' perceptions

“…The multidimensional and complex role of F&Bs in the creation of tourism experiences is therefore well-established (Pourfakhimi et al, 2021;Bj€ ork and Kauppinen-R€ ais€ anen, 2017), and in recent years, academic studies have highlighted a significant link with aspects involving health and well-being (Sirgy, 2019). Recent studies (Kesgin et al, 2022;Andreu et al, 2021;Wang et al, 2019) have established that there is a growing demand for food experiences by wellness tourists, implying a greater focus in the proposals offered by destinations and businesses. From the analysis of the food tourism literature (Okumus et al, 2021;Stone et al, 2018;Henderson, 2009;Quan and Wang, 2004), it emerges that food (1) is a fundamental (supporting) factor in each type of experience or (2) represents the defining (peak) element of the experience in gastronomic and beverage-related tourism.…”

Health and Wellness Tourists’ Motivation and Behavior Intention: The Role of Perceived Value

“…Health and wellness tourism industries should focus more on the quality of products or services to meet the intrinsic needs of travelers, such as escaping their daily routine [78,79]. Health and wellness tourism companies are encouraged to invest more in the construction of tourism products or services rather than in promotion and publicity [9,13,80].…”

Pengembangan Masyarakat berbasis Aset sebagai Upaya Pemberdayaan Masyarakat melalui Sektor Wisata Kebugaran di Indonesia

“…Tren hidup sehat yang muncul di tengahtengah masyarakat Indonesia karena pandemi COVID-19, menjadi peluang tersendiri untuk pengembangan wisata berbasis kesehatan atau yang disebut dengan wisata kebugaran (Agustina & Yudhistira 2021;Andreu et al, 2021). Sementara sektor pariwisata mengalami keterpurukan di tengah situasi pandemi COVID-19, perjalanan wisata kebugaran telah mengalami peningkatan terlebih dahulu pada tahun-tahun sebelumnya.…”

“…Kondisi geografis, bentang alam, hingga adat dan kebudayaan yang kaya dapat menjadi kekuatan utama untuk membangun sektor wisata kebugaran secara optimal di kawasan Indonesia. Fokus wisata kebugaran pada pola menjaga kesehatan dengan cara tradisional yang salah satunya adalah obatobatan herbal selaras dengan potensi Indonesia sebagai penghasil utama dari obat-obatan herbal tersebut (Andreu et al, 2021;Meera & Vinodan 2019;Meikassandra et al, 2020;Utama & Nyandra 2021). Selain itu, bentang alam pedesaan dengan segala keindahannya dapat digunakan sebagai sarana relaksasi wisatawan.…”