THE IMPORTANCE OF THE EUROPEAN HEALTH TOURISM FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ECONOMY OF WELLBEING
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE EUROPEAN HEALTH TOURISM FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ECONOMY OF WELLBEING

Author(s): Todorka Kostadinova, Siyka Katsarova
Subject(s): Health and medicine and law, Tourism
Published by: Udruženje ekonomista i menadžera Balkana
Keywords: health tourism; wellness; spa; destination management; algorithm; innovative solutions; economy of wellbeing.
Summary/Abstract: This chapter builds on knowledge about modern management tools and economy of tourism sector with focus on the health tourism and the importance of health tourism destinations for the customers, for the European tourism business and for the economy of wellbeing. The main goals of the authors are to present on the first place the important role of the Health tourism for Europe with two of its components: spa tourism (travel to spas combining medical and health components) and wellness tourism (aiming to enhance ‘health’), as it has grown exponentially in the recent years and become increasingly relevant in many destinations. On the second place - to propose an algorithm for an integrated model of health tourism destination management by using modern management and marketing tools, including innovative internet platforms. On the third place - to mark the important steps to those European destinations with natural resources, historical traditions, educational potential and modern infrastructure (with focus on Bulgaria) for being recognized and positioned as a competitive European destination for health and spa tourism. The authors’ suggestions will allow upgrading and elevating the existing understanding for the benefits for the European citizens and for the European tourist destinations (incl. Bulgaria), as well as to an advanced understanding of the tourism mix and the role of the positive impact of health tourism in the tourism business in Europe generally, as well as for improving the health and economy of wellbeing.

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