Objectives of the Conference 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.
The conference will explore the relationship between health, wellness and tourism:
Changing activities in leisure, lifestyle and travel which improve wellness and quality of life
Developments in medical tourism and the shift from traditional curative towards complementary and preventative activities, or even hedonistic aspirations
The role of well-established forms of tourism (e.g. spa, sports, social, cruise) and newer forms of tourism (e.g. holistic, occupational, adventure) in the development of health and wellness
The special characteristics of investment and return in health and wellness tourism
The special characteristics of planning, management and marketing of health and wellness tourism
Submissions for presentations, papers and posters are invited relating to the following sub-themes:
Wellness trends in leisure and lifestyle: long term implications of travelling as a leisure activity (e.g. role of travelling in achieving work-life balance, occupational wellness)
Quality of life and tourism
Medical tourism (e.g. travelling for medical reasons: to get better, to get cured, to look better)
Role of private and national health insurance and social tourism initiatives in health tourism (e.g. national and EU level initiatives, policies)
Spa tourism (e.g. visiting purpose built leisure spas, and spa hotels)
Special interest tourism relating to health and wellness (e.g. holistic, spiritual, sport, voluntary or adventure tourism)
Segmentation and positioning products, brands and destinations in health and wellness tourism
Innovation and technology
Economic development, planning and destination management (e.g. kurdirektion)
Risk and safety management and quality assurance in health and wellness tourism
The “health” of the tourism industry (riding the economic crisis)
Submission of presentations, papers, workshops and panels
Presentation and paper abstracts and panel descriptions (300-500 words) by both academics and practitioners are welcome in the following categories:
research papers
case studies
policy and strategy documents
applied (industry and sector) papers
student papers (bachelor, master or PhD)
There are two forms of submissions available
Abstracts (of e.g. research papeprs or academic papers, case studies) were to be submitted by Monday, May 31st. They were all double-blind reviewed. The result of the review including acceptance or rejection will be sent no later than Friday, June 30th. Full papers should be submitted by Monday, August 2nd. In case of a multi-authored abstract, the form should only be submitted by the corresponding author.
Outlines of presentations based on policy documents, industry reports, company cases or student papers were to be submitted by Monday, May 31st. They are double-blind reviewed. The result of the review including acceptance or rejection will be sent no later than Friday, June 30th. Final versions of the presentations should be submitted by Monday, August 2nd.
Papers and presentations must be written in English (and for papers follow the authors instructions issued by the editor). Accepted papers, presentations and case studies will be published in the 2010 TTRA Europe Conference Proceedings. The TTRA European Chapter will select the best paper, the author(s) of which will be announced during the Conference Dinner. The Best Paper Award scheme is sponsored by the Hungarian National Tourist Office.
Organizers run discussions with publishers about an edited title, too. Note, that papers that are not presented at the conference will not be published. You must submit your abstract as a MS Word file with your full name included: firstnamelastname_abstract.doc, or your presentation outline as MS PowerPoint file with your full name included: firstnamelastname_presentation.ppt. This file should be sent electronically to the editor, László Puczkó at ttra@xellum.hu.
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