The European Chapter of the Travel and Tourism Research Association invites you to participate in its 2010 annual conference on "Health, Wellness and Tourism - healthy tourists, healthy business?"

The Conference is postponed to 1-3 September 2010 (due to air-traffic difficulties)!!! Check News (below) for further information.

Although travel has always contributed to health and wellbeing, it has often been in indirect or passive ways (e.g. relaxation and escapism). However, many tourists are increasingly choosing to go on trips which have the direct aim of improving their sense of wellness. On the other hand, some destinations are now positioning themselves as market leaders in health/medical tourism. The effects can even be long-lasting for tourists (and destinations) and not just confined to the duration of the holiday. This can include spa tourism, which can be medical or leisure-based; social tourism, where medical treatments are state-funded; sports and adventure tourism, which increase physical health and fitness; occupational wellness trips, which address work-related issues such as stress-management; and holistic or spiritual retreats, which can balance body, mind and soul.

Many of these forms of tourism are based on changing leisure and lifestyle trends, such as healthier nutrition, fitness regimes, or the quest for alternative spirituality. There are also shifts in many societies from curative to preventative healthcare, which requires greater knowledge and self-responsibility. The mainstream tourism industry is also investing heavily in wellness products – for example the cruise industry – possibly to give a healthy ‘feel’ to a product traditionally associated with eating too much. How can these contrasting aims be integrated? The tourism industry is consequently responding to society’s need for holidays, which enhance quality of life and fulfil all domains of wellness (e.g. physical, emotional, spiritual, psychological and intellectual).

Furthermore, the link between leisure and tourism seems to be getting stronger, since wellness and healthy/healthier lifestyle oriented customers tend to go on health(ier) trips, too.