This is an outdated version published on 2023-06-30. Read the most recent version.

The future of wellness tourism after COVID-19

Authors

Andressa Piatto Clerici Escola Superior de Turismo e Tecnologia do Mar, Instituto Politécnico de Leiria, Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, Campus 4, 2520-641 Peniche, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1480-7246
Catriona Murphy Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest, TUS Moylish Campus, Co. Limerick, V94 EC5T Limerick, Ireland https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1632-331X
Nuno Miguel Castanheira Almeida Escola Superior de Turismo e Tecnologia do Mar, Instituto Politécnico de Leiria, Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, Campus 4, 2520-641 Peniche, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2322-0343

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18778/1231-1952.30.1.05

Keywords:

wellness, wellness tourism, trends, COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The tourism industry has drastically reduced its activity since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, yet there has been an undeniable rise in demand for wellness tourism which now represents one of the fastest growing tourism market segments globally. Admittedly, while the COVID-19 pandemic has delayed the forecasted wellness tourism growth trend, this segment has stood fast at USD 4.4 trillion in 2020 while global GDP declined by 2.8%. In 2020, the wellness tourism market was valued at USD 436 billion, projected to rise to USD 816 billion by 2022 with more than 1.2 billion trips being realised and anticipated growth estimated at USD 1.0 trillion by 2025. The main purpose of this study is to ascertain the future trends of wellness tourism, and to investigate the extent to which this upward growth trend can be sustainably maintained post COVID-19. A qualitative structured interview methodology was employed using email interviews comprising six pre-determined questions with three expert wellness tourism participants. These expert interviewees were based in countries that were severely impacted by COVID-19, namely Brazil, USA, and Portugal. NVivo Nudist was used to analyse the primary data collected. In validating previous research findings, this study indicates that despite the challenges facing the sector, upward growth patterns in wellness tourism will continue beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

ABBAS, J., MUBEEN, R., IOREMBER, P. T., RAZA, S. and MAMIRKULOVA, G. (2021), Exploring the impact of COVID-19 on tourism: transformational potential and implications for a sustainable recovery of the travel and leisure industry, Current Research in Behavioral Sciences, 20, 100033. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crbeha.2021.100033
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crbeha.2021.100033

ADAMS, T. B. (2003), ‘The Power of Perceptions: Measuring Wellness in a Globally Acceptable, Philosophically Consistent Way’, Wellness Management, http://www.hedir.org/
Google Scholar

AHORSU, D.K., LIN, C.Y., IMANI, V., SAFFARI, M., GRIFFITHS, M.D.and PAKPOUR, A.H.(2020), ‘The fear of COVID-19 scale: development and initial validation’, International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 20, pp. 1537–1545. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-020-00270-8
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-020-00270-8

ANSER, M. K., SHARIF, M., KHAN, M. A., NASSANI, A. A., ZAMAN, K., ABRO, M. M. Q. and KABBANI, A. (2021), ‘Demographic, psychological, and environmental factors affecting student’s health during the COVID-19 pandemic: on the rocks’, Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28 (24), pp. 31596–31606. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-12991-x
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-12991-x

BARDIN, L. (1977), Análise de conteúdo, Lisboa: Edições 70.
Google Scholar

BELL, S. L., PHOENIX, C., LOVELL, R. and WHEELER, B. W. (2015), ‘Seeking everyday wellbeing: The coast as a therapeutic landscape’, Social Science & Medicine, 142, pp. 56–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2015.08.011
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2015.08.011

CAPPELLI, L., D’ASCENZO, F., NATALE, L., ROSSETTI, F., RUGGIERI, R. and VISTOCCO, D. (2017), ‘Are Consumers Willing to Pay More for a “Made in” Product? An Empirical Investigation on “Made in Italy”, Sustainability, 9 (4), 556. https://doi.org/10.3390/su9040556
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su9040556

CHEN, J. S. (2007), ‘Wellness tourism: Measuring consumers’ quality of life’, Proceedings of the First Hospitality and Leisure: Business Advances and Applied Research Conference, July 5–6, 2007, Lausanne, Switzerland, pp.38–49.
Google Scholar

CHHABRA, A., MUNJAL, M., MISHRA, P. C., SINGH, K., DAS, D. and KUHAR, N. (2021), ‘Medical tourism in the COVID-19 era: opportunities, challenges and the way ahead’, Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, 13 (5), pp. 660–665. https://doi.org/10.1108/WHATT-05-2021-0078
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/WHATT-05-2021-0078

DEESILATHAM, S. (2016), Wellness Tourism: Determinants of Incremental Enhancement in Tourists’ Quality of Life (Doctoral dissertation), School of Management Royal Holloway, University of London.
Google Scholar

DILLETTE, A. K., DOUGLAS, A. C. and ANDRZEJEWSKI, C. (2020), ‘Dimensions of holistic wellness as a result of international wellness tourism experiences’, Current Issues in Tourism, 24 (6), pp. 794–810. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2020.1746247
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2020.1746247

DIONÍSIO, I. and RODRIGUES, A. I. (2021), ‘A adoção do selo «Clean & Safe» em tempos de COVID-19: Oportunidades e desafios para a inovação e reinvenção no sector da animação turística em Portugal?’, A Multidisciplinary e-Journal, 40, pp. 79–98. https://doi.org/10.18089/DAMeJ.2021.40.5
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.18089/DAMeJ.2021.40.5

DUAN, L., SHAO, X., WANG, Y., HUANG, Y., MIAO, J., YANG, X. and ZHU, G. (2020), ‘An investigation of mental health status of children and adolescents in china during the outbreak of COVID-19’, Journal of Affective Disorders, 275, pp. 112–118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.06.029
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.06.029

DUNN, H. L. (1959), ‘High-level wellness for man and society’, American Journal of Public Health, 49 (6), pp. 786–792. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.49.6.786
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.49.6.786

ELLIS, J.C.(2013), The impact of postsecondary fitness and wellness courses on physical activity behaviors (Doctoral dissertation), Walden University.
Google Scholar

FRANCO, M. L. P. B. (2008), Análise de conteúdo, 3rd ed. Brasília: LíberLivro.
Google Scholar

FONTOURA, L., LUSBY, C. and ROMAGOSA, F. (2020), ‘Post-COVID-19 tourism: perspectives for sustainable tourism in Brazil, USA and Spain’, Revista Acadêmica Observatório de Inovação do Turismo, pp. 16–28. https://doi.org/10.17648/raoit.v14n4.6654
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.17648/raoit.v14n4.6654

FRITZ, R.L.and VANDERMAUSE, R.(2018), Data Collection via In-Depth Email Interviewing: Lessons From the Field, Qualitative Health Research, 28 (10), pp. 1640–1649, Epub 2017 Jan 17. PMID: 29298576. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732316689067
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732316689067

GLOBAL WELLNESS INSTITUTE (2018), Global Wellness Tourism Economy, https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/GWIWellnessEconomyMonitor2018_042019.pdf
Google Scholar

GLOBAL WELLNESS INSTITUTE (2021), The Global Wellness Economy: Looking Beyond COVID, https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/industry-research/the-global-wellness-economy-looking-beyond-COVID/
Google Scholar

GUDIÑO, D., FERNÁNDEZ-SÁNCHEZ, M. J., BECERRA-TRAVER, M. T. and SÁNCHEZ, S. (2022), ‘Social Media and the Pandemic: Consumption Habits of the Spanish Population before and during the COVID-19 Lockdown’, Sustainability, 14 (9), 5490. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14095490
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su14095490

HAN, J. H. and AN, K. S. (2022), ‘Comparison of Perceptions of Wellness Tourism in Korea Before and After COVID-19: Results of Social Big Data Analysis’, Global Business & Finance Review, 27 (2), pp. 1–13. https://doi.org/10.17549/gbfr.2022.27.2.1
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.17549/gbfr.2022.27.2.1

JONES, I.and GRATTON, C.(2010), Research Methods for Sports Studies: Third Edition (2nd ed.), Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203879382
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203879382

KELLERT, S. R., HEERWAGEN, J. and MADOR, M. (2008), ‘Dimensions, Elements, and Attributes of Biophilic Design’, [in:] Biophilic Design: The Theory, Science, and Practice of Bringing Buildings to Life, Hoboken, NJ, USA: Wiley.
Google Scholar

KONCUL, N. (2012), ‘Wellness: A New Mode of tourism’, Economic Research-Ekonomska Istraživanja, 25 (2), pp. 525-534. https://doi.org/10.1080/1331677X.2012.11517521
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/1331677X.2012.11517521

LAING, J. and WEILER, B. (2008), ‘Chapter 31 - Mind, Body and Spirit: Health and Wellness Tourism in Asia’, [in:] In Advances in Tourism Research, Asian Tourism, Elsevier, pp. 379–389. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-045356-9.50037-0
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-045356-9.50037-0

LAW, M. (2022), How travel companies are using the wellness boom to reinvigorate the industry, https://www.smartcompany.com.au/industries/tourism/travel-companies-wellness-boom/ [accessed on: March 2022].
Google Scholar

LEW, A. A., CHEER, J. M., HAYWOOD, M., BROUDER, P. and SALAZAR, N. B. (2020), Visions of travel and tourism after the global COVID-19 transformation of 2020, Tourism Geographies, 22 (3), pp. 455–466. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616688.2020.1770326
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14616688.2020.1770326

LOUNSBURY, J. W. and HOOPES, L. L. (1986), ‘A vacation from work: Changes in work and nonwork outcomes’, Journal of Applied Psychology, 71 (3), pp. 392–401. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.71.3.392
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.71.3.392

MAJEED, S. and RAMKISSOON, H. (2020), ‘Health, Wellness, and Place Attachment During and Post Health Pandemics’, Frontiers in Psychology, 11, art.no. 573220. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.573220
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.573220

MEDINA-MUÑOZ, D. R. and MEDINA-MUÑOZ, R. D. (2013), ‘Critical issues in health and wellness tourism: An exploratory study of visitors to wellness centres on Gran Canaria’, Current Issues in Tourism, 16 (5), pp. 415–435. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2012.748719
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2012.748719

MEHO, L. I. (2006), ‘E-mail interviewing in qualitative research: A methodological discussion’, Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 57 (10), pp. 1284–1295. https://doi.org/10.1002/asi.20416
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/asi.20416

MOHAN, D. and LAMBA, S. M. (2021), Wellness Tourism Will Flourish in the Post COVID era, https://www.hospitalitynet.org/opinion/4102574.html [accessed on: 20.02.2021].
Google Scholar

MUELLER, H. and KAUFMANN, E. L. (2000), ‘Wellness tourism: Market analysis of a special health tourism segment and implications for the hotel industry’, Journal of Vacation Marketing, 7 (1), pp. 5–17. https://doi.org/10.1177/135676670100700101
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/135676670100700101

MUSTAFA, A., ALAM, M. S. and SHEKHAR, C. (2020), ‘The Effects of Social Media Consumption Among the Internet Users During COVID-19 Lockdown in India: Results from an Online Survey’, Online J Health Allied Scs., 19 (4), p. 6, https://www.ojhas.org/issue76/2020-4-6.html
Google Scholar

MYERS, J. E., SWEENEY, T. J. and WITMER, M. (2000), ‘The Wheel of Wellness Counseling for Wellness: A holistic model for treatment planning’, Journal of Counseling and Development, 78 (3), pp. 251–266. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.2000.tb01906.x
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.2000.tb01906.x

NAHRSTEDT, W. (2008), ‘From medical wellness to cultural wellness: New challenges for leisure studies and tourism policies, Keynote Speech’, The Future of Historic Spa Towns Symposium.
Google Scholar

NAVARRETE, A. P. and SHAW, G. (2021), ‘Spa tourism opportunities as strategic sector in aiding recovery from COVID-19: The Spanish Model’, Tourism and Hospitality Research, 21 (2), pp. 245–250. https://doi.org/10.1177/1467358420970626
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1467358420970626

NEAL, J. D., UYSAL, M. and SIRGY, M. J. (2007), ‘The effect of tourism services on travelers’ quality of life’, Journal of Travel Research, 46 (2), pp. 154–163. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047287507303977
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0047287507303977

ŐRI, D., MOLNÁR, T. and SZOCSICS, P. (2021), ‘Mental health-related stigma among psychiatrists in light of COVID-19’, Asian Journal of Psychiatry, 58, 102620. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2021.102620
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2021.102620

ORÎNDARU, A., POPESCU, M. F., ALEXOAEI, A. P., CAESCU, S. C., FLORESCU, M. S. and ORZAN, A. O. (2021), ‘Tourism in a Post-COVID-19 Era: Sustainable Strategies for Industry’s Recovery’, Sustainability, 13 (12), 6781, pp. 1–22. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13126781
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su13126781

PUCZKÓ, L. and BACHVAROV, M. (2006), ‘Spa, bath, thermae: What’s behind the labels?’, Journal of Tourism Recreation Research, 31 (1), pp. 83–91. https://doi.org/10.1080/02508281.2006.11081250
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02508281.2006.11081250

RAHMAN, M. K., GAZI, M. A. I., BHUIYAN, M. A. and RAHAMAN, M. A. (2021), ‘Effect of COVID-19 pandemic on tourist travel risk and management perceptions’, PLOS ONE, 16 (9), e0256486. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0256486
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0256486

RATISLAVOVÁ, K. and RATISLAV, J. (2014), ‘Asynchronous email interview as a qualitative research method in the humanities’, Human Affairs, 24, pp. 452–460. https://doi.org/10.2478/s13374-014-0240-y
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/s13374-014-0240-y

REARDON, S. (2015), ‘Ebola’s mental-health wounds linger in Africa’, Nature, 519, pp. 13–14. https://doi.org/10.1038/519013a
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/519013a

ROKNI, L. (2021), ‘The Psychological Consequences of COVID-19 Pandemic in Tourism Sector: A Systematic Review’, Iranian Journal of Public Health, 50 (9), pp. 1743–1756. https://doi.org/10.18502/ijph.v50i9.7045
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijph.v50i9.7045

ROMAGOSA, F. (2020), ‘The COVID-19 crisis: Opportunities for sustainable and proximity tourism’, Tourism Geographies, 22 (3), pp. 690–694. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616688.2020.1763447
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14616688.2020.1763447

RYAN, C.(1997), The Tourist Experience: A New Introduction, London: Cassell.
Google Scholar

SAHOO, S., MEHRA, A., SURI, V., MALHOTRA, P., YADDANAPUDI, L.N., PURI, G.D.and GROVER, S. (2020), ‘Lived experiences of the corona survivors (patients admitted in COVID wards): a narrative real-life documented summaries of internalized guilt, shame, stigma, anger’, Asian Journal of Psychiatry, 53, 102187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2020.102187
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2020.102187

SEATON, A. V. and BENNETT, M. M. (1996), The Marketing of Tourism Products: Concepts, Issues, and Cases, London: International Thomson Business Press.
Google Scholar

SHIGEMURA, J., URSANO, R. J., MORGANSTEIN, J. C., KUROSAWA, M. and BENEDEK, D. (2020), ‘Public responses to the novel 2019 coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in Japan: mental health consequences and target populations’, Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 74 (4), pp. 281–282. https://doi.org/10.1111/pcn.12988
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/pcn.12988

SIBI, P. S., ARUN, D. P. and MOHAMMED, A. (2020), ‘Changing Paradigms of Travel Motivations Post COVID-19’, International Journal of Management, 11 (11), pp. 489–500. doi:10.34218/IJM.11.11.2020.047
Google Scholar

SIVANANDAMOORTHY, S. (2021), ‘Exploring the impact of COVID-19 on the wellness tourism in Sri Lanka’, International Journal of Spa and Wellness. https://doi.org/10.1080/24721735.2021.1987001
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/24721735.2021.1987001

SMITH, M. and PUCZKÓ, L. (2009), Health and Wellness Tourism, London: Butterworth-Heinemann, United Kingdom.
Google Scholar

SMITH, M. and PUCZKÓ, L. (2014), Health, Tourism and Hospitality: Spas, Wellness and Medical Travel (2nd ed.), Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203083772
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203083772

SPAFINDER WELLNESS 365TM. (2015), 2015 State of wellness travel report, http://veilletourisme.s3.amazonaws.com/2015/09/SFW_WellnessTravelReport091415FINAL.pdf
Google Scholar

US TRAVEL ASSOCIATION.COVID-19 Travel Industry Research, https://www.ustravel.org/toolkit/COVID-19-travel-industry-research
Google Scholar

VOIGT, C., BROWN, G. and HOWAT, G. (2011), ‘Wellness tourists: In search of transformation’, Tourism Review, 66 (1/2), pp. 16–30. https://doi.org/10.1108/16605371111127206
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/16605371111127206

VOIGT, C.and PFORR, C.(Eds.).(2013), Wellness Tourism: A Destination Perspective (1st ed.), Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203079362
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203079362

WANG, G., ZHANG, Y., ZHAO, J., ZHANG, J. and JIANG, F. (2020), ‘Mitigate the effects of home confinement on children during the COVID-19 outbreak’, Lancet, 395, 10228, pp. 945–947. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30547-X
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30547-X

WILSON, E.O.(1984), Biophilia, Cambridge, MS, USA: Harvard University Press. https://doi.org/10.4159/9780674045231
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.4159/9780674045231

WELLTODO website by Fitt Insider. How Leading Wellness Brands Are Navigating Employee Wellbeing In A New Reality, https://www.welltodoglobal.com/how-leading-wellness-brands-are-navigating-employee-wellbeing-in-a-new-reality/
Google Scholar

ZAMAWE, F. C. (2015), ‘The implications of Using NVivo Software in Qualitative Data Analysis: Evidence-based Reflections’, Malawi Medical Journal, 27 (1), pp. 13–15. https://doi.org/10.4314/mmj.v27i1.4
Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/mmj.v27i1.4

Downloads

Published

2023-06-30

Versions

How to Cite

Piatto Clerici, A., Murphy, C., & Castanheira Almeida, N. M. (2023). The future of wellness tourism after COVID-19. European Spatial Research and Policy, 30(1), 103–122. https://doi.org/10.18778/1231-1952.30.1.05