DOCSLIB.ORG

Exploring the World of Medical and Wellness Tourism

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Exploring the World of Medical and Wellness Tourism Business Research Unit (BRU-IUL) A Scoping Review: Exploring the World of Medical and Wellness Tourism Helena Maria Correia Neves Cordeiro Rodrigues A Thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor in Management Specialization in Marketing Supervisor: Doctor, Ana Brochado, Assistant Professor Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, ISCTE-IUL Co-Supervisor Doctor, Michael Louis Troilo, Associate Professor The University of Tulsa March 2017 A Scoping Review: Exploring the World of Medical and Wellness Tourism Helena Maria Correia Neves Cordeiro Rodrigues A Thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor in Management Specialization in Marketing Presidente: Doutor Luis Antero, Professor Catedrático do ISCTE-IUL Por Delegação: Doutora Hélia Maria Gonçalves Pereira- Professora Auxiliar do Departamento de Marketing Operações e Gestão Geral do ISCTE-IUL Vogais: Doutora Maria Margarida de Melo Coelho Duarte, Professora Associada do ISEG-Lisboa Doutor Joaquim Gonçalves Antunes, Professor Coordenador da Escola Superior de Tecnologias e Gestão do Instituto Politécnico de Viseu Doutora Pedro Manuel dos Santos Taumaturgo de Brito, Professor Auxiliar da Faculdade de Economia do Porto Doutora Ana Margarida Mendes Camelo Oliveira Brochado, Professora Auxiliar do Departamento de Marketing Operações e Gestão Geral do ISCTE-IUL (Orientador) Doutor João Ricardo Paulo Marques Guerreiro, Professor Auxiliar do Departamento de Marketing Operações e Gestão Geral do ISCTE-IUL ii Em memória dos meus pais iii Resumo Objetivo: O Turismo Médico e de Bem-Estar é um fenómeno crescente. Turistas de todo o mundo viajam com o intuito de ter acesso a tratamento médico ou de melhorar o seu estado de saúde através de atividades físicas e psicológicas que lhes sejam benéficas. Esta indústria tem vindo a crescer com ajuda da Internet, permitindo aos turistas fazer melhores escolhas e tomar decisões informadas. Desenho da tese: Este estudo tem como base a análise de conteúdos mistos. A abordagem qualitativa reproduz as avaliações dos turistas e avalia as relações entre as narrativas e os conceitos no Turismo Médico e de Bem-Estar, obtendo resultados replicáveis e generalizáveis. Contribuição teórica: Este estudo contribui com o conhecimento teórico no setor do turismo de Saúde e Bem-estar e o impacto das opiniões dos turistas nas plataformas online como veículo para expressar satisfação e recomendar serviços a outros turistas. Contribuição prática: No Turismo Médico os comentários online indicam características comuns inerentes ao tratamento médico. Como fatores determinantes no processo de decisão os turistas realçam o preço, a eficácia do tratamento, o tempo despendido na recolha de informações medicas, e partilham recomendações com amigos e familiares. No turismo de Bem-Estar os turistas percecionam as infraestruturas do resort-incluindo as condições do quarto e os tratamentos de talassoterapia como fatores determinantes de um bom serviço. Indicam como fatores críticos -o quarto- a limpeza e o conforto em particular uma cama confortável, a casa de banho e o chuveiro. Os turistas que utilizam as Termas e Spa indicam por ordem decrescente a implementação dos seguintes serviços: acesso as termas e serviços, a receção do hotel e sala, qualidade da comida e preço, piscina e banho térmico, localização, vista e acessos bem como o profissionalismo e simpatia dos colaboradores. Originalidade: Os resultados contribuem para o desenvolvimento da literatura sobre o Turismo Medico e de Bem-Estar e sugere diretrizes para potenciais turistas médicos, profissionais de saúde, setor hoteleiro e outros operadores que integram a experiência destes turistas. Com base na análise semântica esta tese identifica novas temáticas que exploram comportamentos, intenções e experiências que os turistas compartilham online. Palavras-chave: Turismo médico; bem-estar; termas e spa; conteúdos gerados pelos utilizadores, experiência. iv Abstract Purpose: Medical and wellness tourism is a growing phenomenon, and tourists all over the world are traveling with the express purpose of accessing medical treatment or promoting health through physically and psychologically beneficial activities. This industry has continued to expand with the Internet’s help, as customers can now make choices that are more appropriate and informed decisions. Design: This research employed mixed content analysis methods. The qualitative approach reproduced tourists’ appraisals and assessed the spatial relationships between terms and concepts in medical and wellness tourism, with generalizable and reproducible results. Theoretical Contribution: This study specifically adds to the literature on post-experiences of medical and wellness tourism and the impact of Web-based information through reviewers’ satisfaction and willingness to recommend facilities to others. Practical Contributions: Medical tourists’ reviews indicate shared commonalities when identifying significant factors in medical services received. These individuals also focus on cost, treatment effectiveness; time spent collecting healthcare information, and recommendations they plan to offer to friends and family. Wellness tourists perceive resort facilities—including room conditions—and thalassotherapy treatments as the primary drivers of good service. Critical attributes of room condition are overall cleanliness and room comfort, especially bed, bathroom, and shower facilities. Tourists’ reviews of their experiences of thermal spa facilities provide a strategic order in which to implement service attributes by degree of influence: thermal facilities and services, hotel reception and room, food quality and price, pool and bath access, location views and accessibility, and staff’s professionalism and friendliness. Originality: The results add to the slowly growing body of literature on medical and wellness tourism and provide significant information to prospective medical tourists, healthcare service professionals, hoteliers, and other operators who become part of tourists’ total experience. This thesis identifies new themes based on semantic analyses that explored tourists’ behavior, intentions, and overall experiences shared online. Keywords: Medical tourism, wellness, thermal spas, user-generated content (UGC), experience v Acknowledgements I would like to express my special thanks to my supervisor, Professor Ana Brochado, and to my co-supervisor, Professor Michael Troilo. I cannot emphasize enough my deep appreciation for their guidance and approachability over the past months. I am particularly grateful to my husband, Luis, who made sure I would succeed; to my daughters, Inês and Sara; and to my mother, who kept me company almost to the end of the process of generating this thesis. I will never forget my colleagues at LLCT, PhD friends, and professors, all of whom have influenced the course of my life by helping me to conclude this work with their great encouragement. vi Contents Resumo ...................................................................................................................................... iv Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................... vi List of Figures ............................................................................................................................ x Acronyms ................................................................................................................................. xii 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 1 2. Theoretical Background ..................................................................................................... 4 2.1. Medical tourism ........................................................................................................... 4 2.2. Demand-side drivers .................................................................................................... 6 2.3. Baby boomers and access to medical tourism ............................................................. 7 2.4. Medical tourism destinations and prices...................................................................... 7 2.5. Medical tourism’s future trends ................................................................................... 9 2.6. From medical tourism to wellness and health ........................................................... 10 2.7. Web content in medical and wellness tourism .......................................................... 12 3. Method ............................................................................................................................. 14 3.1. Lexicographic analysis .................................................................................................. 14 3.2. Operational and analysis method .................................................................................. 14 3.3. Research gap and objectives.......................................................................................... 20 4. Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all: A critical content analysis on medical tourism ........................................................................................................................ 22 4.1. Introduction ............................................................................................................... 23
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Asia: the Future of Global Wellness Tourism ASIA: the FUTURE of GLOBAL WELLNESS TOURISM
    Asia: The Future of Global Wellness Tourism ASIA: THE FUTURE OF GLOBAL WELLNESS TOURISM According to the latest Global Wellness Institute (GWI) report, wellness tourism is one of the fastest-growing segments in the wellness economy today. Wellness trips now represent 6.5% of all tourism trips taken worldwide, growing a whopping 15.3% annually from 2015- 2017 to reach 830 million trips each year. In the midst of this explosive growth, Asia-Pacific now ranks second – at 258 million wellness trips annually -- just behind Europe. Wellness has become a dominant consumer value and lifestyle driver, and this is profoundly changing behaviour, choices and spending decisions. Asia-Pacific is also the the trip and for choosing 33% more while domestic fastest-growing wellness a destination. They will be wellness travellers spend tourism market: Wellness drawn to a destination resort about 120% more. trips jumped 33% in the for its detox programme or last two years (China, India, yoga retreat. The Secondary Malaysia, the Philippines, Wellness Travellers are Vietnam and Indonesia those who go on a trip for a Why Asia? all clocked 20+% annual purpose other than wellness, Why now? gains) and the market will but they’re interested in essentially double from maintaining wellness when The stats are overwhelming: 2017–2022: from US$137 they travel. For example, According to a World billion to US$252 billion. a business traveller who Asia’s Soft Power Tourism Organization deliberately choses a hotel In short, Asia is driving the (UNWTO) report, outbound that offers healthy food and Not only is Asia dominating global wellness tourism Asia-Pacific travellers now a good gym and will try to in inbound and outbound market.
    [Show full text]
  • Health & Wellness Tourism
    A ROUTLEDGE FREEBOOK HEALTH & WELLNESS TOURISM A FOCUS ON THE GLOBAL SPA EXPERIENCE TABLE OF CONTENTS 004 :: FOREWORD 007 :: SECTION I: INTRODUCTION 008 :: 1. SPA AND WELLNESS TOURISM AND POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 030 :: 2. HEALTH, SOCIABILITY, POLITICS AND CULTURE: SPAS IN HISTORY, SPAS AND HISTORY 041 :: 3. A GEOGRAPHICAL AND REGIONAL ANALYSIS 059 :: SECTION II: CASE STUDIES 060 :: 4. TOWN OR COUNTRY? BRITISH SPAS AND THE URBAN/RURAL INTERFACE 076 :: 5. SARATOGA SPRINGS: FROM GENTEEL SPA TO DISNEYFIED FAMILY RESORT 087 :: 6. FROM THE MAJESTIC TO THE MUNDANE: DEMOCRACY, SOPHISTICATION AND HISTORY AMONG THE MINERAL SPAS OF AUSTRALIA 111 :: 7. HEALTH SPA TOURISM IN THE CZECH AND SLOVAK REPUBLIC 128 :: 8. TOURISM, WELLNESS, AND FEELING GOOD: REVIEWING AND STUDYING ASIAN SPA EXPERIENCES 147 :: 9. FANTASY, AUTHENTICITY, AND THE SPA TOURISM EXPERIENCE 165 :: SECTION III: CONCLUSION 166 :: 10. JOINING TOGETHER AND SHAPING THE FUTURE OF THE GLOBAL SPA AND WELLNESS INDUSTRY RELAX MORE DEEPLY WITH THE FULL TEXT OF THESE TITLES USE DISCOUNT CODE SPA20 TO GET 20% OFF THESE ROUTLEDGE TOURISM TITLES ROUTLEDGE TOURISM Visit Routledge Tourism to browse our full collection of resources on tourism, hospitality, and events. >> CLICK HERE FOREWORD HOW TO USE THIS BOOK As more serious study is devoted to different aspects of the global spa industry, it’s becoming clear that the spa is much more than a pleasant, temporary escape from our workaday lives. Indeed, the spa is a rich repository of historical, cultural, and behavioral information that is at once unique to its specific location and shared by other spas around the world. We created Health and Wellness Tourism: A Focus on the Global Spa Industry to delve further into the definition of what constitutes a spa, and showcase different perspectives on the history and evolution of spa tourism.
    [Show full text]
  • Tourism & Hospitality About the Sector
    GrowthSource Tourism & Hospitality Industry Report Tourism & Hospitality About the Sector January 2020 For Tourism & Hospitality Skills Council By: GS Advisors Private Ltd. www.growthsource.in 1 www.growthsource.in GrowthSource Tourism & Hospitality Industry Report Disclaimer r All information contained in this document has been obtained by GrowthSource (GS Advisors Private Limited) from sources believed by it to be accurate and reliable. Although reasonable care has been taken to ensure that the information herein is true, such information is provided ‘as is’ without any warranty of any kind, and GrowthSource in particular, makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, timeliness or completeness of any such information. All information contained herein must be construed solely as statements of opinion, and GrowthSource shall not be liable for any losses incurred by users from any use of this document or its contents in any manner. Opinions expressed in this document are not the opinions of GrowthSource (GS Advisors Private Limited) and should not be construed as any indication of recommendation by anyone. 2 www.growthsource.in GrowthSource Tourism & Hospitality Industry Report Contents Global Industry Overview 4 Hospitality and Tourism Industry in India 10 Hotel Industry 16 Restaurants Industry 21 Facilities Management 26 Tours and Travel 32 Adventure Tourism 39 3 www.growthsource.in GrowthSource Tourism & Hospitality Industry Report Global Industry Overview Tourism is an important component of export diversification both for emerging and advanced economies, with a strong capacity to reduce trade deficits and to compensate for weaker export revenues from other goods and services. The Tourism and Hospitality industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the world.
    [Show full text]
  • Wellness Tourism: an Application of Positive Psychological Theory to Overall Quality of Life
    Wellness Tourism: An Application of Positive Psychological Theory to Overall Quality of Life by Alana Kathryn Dillette A dissertation submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Auburn University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Auburn, Alabama August 6, 2016 Keywords: wellness, tourism, quality of life, positive psychological well-being Copyright 2016 by Alana Kathryn Dillette Approved by Alecia C. Douglas, Associate Professor Nutrition, Dietetics & Hospitality Management Carey Andrzejewski, Associate Professor Educational Foundations, Leadership, & Technology David Martin, Associate Professor Nutrition, Dietetics & Hospitality Management Muzzaffer Uysal, Professor Tourism and Hospitality Management Abstract This goal of this dissertation was to ascertain the characteristics of and relationships between wellness, positive psychological well-being, transformative experiences and overall quality of life within a tourism context. In order to accomplish this, three independent articles addressed eight research questions using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The first article explored holistic wellness through the qualitative analysis of 1216 TripAdvisor reviews. Utilizing the netnographic method in combination with exploratory inductive framework analysis, four dimensions of wellness were revealed: body, mind, spirit and environment (Dunn 1959). Results from the study were diverse, highlighting both barriers and pathways towards wellness. Findings revealed the possibility of wellness
    [Show full text]
  • Iceland: the Destination for Wellbeing Tourism?
    Iceland: the destination for wellbeing tourism? A follow-up case study on the development of wellbeing tourism in the Mývatn region in Iceland by Eva Lisa Boorsma A thesis submitted for the degree of Master of Science in Tourism, Society and Environment Cultural Geography Wageningen University and Research January 2020 Cover image: the Mývatn Nature Baths near Reykjahlíd, Iceland. July 21, 2019. Iceland: the destination for wellbeing tourism? A follow-up case study on the development of wellbeing tourism in the Mývatn region in Iceland Eva Lisa Boorsma 940905098120 MSc. Tourism, Society and Environment Wageningen University & Research Arnhem/Wageningen, 13 January 2020 Thesis code GEO-80436 Cultural Geography Chair Group Department of Environmental Sciences Supervisor: dr. Karolina Doughty Examiner: prof. dr. Edward Huijbens 2 “Þetta reddast” A well-known saying in Iceland, meaning ‘it will be fine’ 3 Acknowledgements This thesis has been written to successfully complete the Master of Science study program in Tourism, Society and Environment at the Wageningen University & Research. To find out how the wellbeing tourism sector in the Mývatn region in Iceland has been developed recently, I got the chance to spend more than three weeks in Iceland for which I am thankful. During these weeks I did not only collect data with regard to this study, but I also had the time to make a wonderful trip around the island. I discovered the stunning beauty of Iceland and its inhabitants, experienced a feeling of being home, made several special friends and I have been taught a lot about tourism and its social and environmental impact.
    [Show full text]
  • 2014 Trends Report: Top 10 Global Spa and Wellness Trends Forecast
    2014 Trends Report Top 10 Global Spa and Wellness Trends Forecast 2014 Trends Report Top 10 Global Spa and Wellness Trends Forecast This is our 11th annual Trends Forecast, and I have never been more excited about the spa and wellness industry. So many of the trends we predicted over the past decade are now coming to fruition…helping businesses thrive and helping people live more healthfully every day. At the same time, we are seeing new, provocative ideas that will have a dramatic impact around the globe. The 2014 trends reflect an industry that is reimagining core elements of spa and wellness and exploring brave, new directions. It is gratifying to see a healthy dose of healthy travel in several of the trends; bold new ideas in mainstays like aromatherapy and hot springs take hold; and the development of new models for classic destination spas. It is also rewarding to watch trends in technology, beauty and fitness shape how we will live (and look)—and even take note of how the industry will help people address dying, illness and major life changes. Susie Ellis President, SpaFinder And finally, there is a trend we forecasted in 2013 that continues to capture our Wellness, Inc., and imagination: mindfulness. We feel strongly that it is important to watch how this is Chairman & CEO, Global evolving, and you’ll see a short synopsis of this “über trend” in the report. Spa & Wellness Summit Spafinder Wellness 365™’s Trends Forecast reports on what is happening in our industry, but we also strive to present a true forecast of what lies ahead.
    [Show full text]
  • Medical and Wellness Tourism
    Medical and wellness tourism UAE Inbound medical tourism in the UAE has been growing steadily, with visitors seeking treatment ranging from major surgery to rehabilitation to cosmetic corrections. According to the latest Medical Tourism Index Ranking, Dubai and Abu Dhabi were ranked the 6th and 8th “best” global destinations for medical tourism, respectively.39 The UAE’s potential as a medical tourism destination is further supported by the wider tourism ecosystem in the country, such as attractions, hotels, entertainment and the provision of world class aviation and transport logistics. The primary areas of emphasis for medical tourism in the UAE are dermatology, orthopedics and ophthalmology. Low cost and the existing tourism infrastructure contribute to the UAE’s growing medical tourism industry. For example, the average cost of a hip replacement in developed countries such as the USA and Switzerland is USD 26,500 and USD 19,722 respectively; the same procedure in the UAE costs under USD 15,000.40 Global However, the UAE exhibits higher costs of medical Although difficult to calculate, the global health tourism treatments and services offered compared with industry is believed to have generated revenues of countries like India, Thailand, Singapore and others, approximately USD 32.5 billion in 2019 – a CAGR rate which can lead to some local patients seeking of 17.9% for the period 2013 to 2019. It is expected treatment abroad. to reach USD 207.9 billion by 2027, expanding at a Factors that make medical tourism attractive 36 CAGR of 21.1%. According to the World Tourism and efficient Organization (UNWTO), medical tourism comprises two segments: wellness and medical.
    [Show full text]
  • The Himachal Pradesh Tourism Policy, 2019
    THE HIMACHAL PRADESH TOURISM POLICY, 2019 Department of Tourism & Civil Aviation Government of Himachal Pradesh 1 | P a g e Contents Preface: Introduction and Statement of Commitment ......................................................................... 5 Abbreviations .................................................................................................................................... 6 Glossary ............................................................................................................................................ 7 1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 8 1.1 Sustainable Tourism – A viable option ............................................................................... 8 1.2 Sustainable Tourism in Himachal Pradesh ........................................................................ 10 2 Tourism Themes to be promoted in Himachal Pradesh ............................................................ 10 2.1 Ecotourism ....................................................................................................................... 11 2.2 Agro/Organic tourism ...................................................................................................... 11 2.3 Snow Tourism .................................................................................................................. 11 2.4 Lake Tourism ..................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Hospitality Report CII Event 20012.CDR
    SURVIVAL TO SUPREMACY Confederation of INDIAN HOSPITALITY STORY Indian Industry 2012 & BEYOND SEPTEMBER 2012 20th – 22nd September 2012 Contents Introduction 1 Government Initiatives 3 India Hospitality Overview 5 Key Challenges 19 Trends Redefining Hospitality in India 21 Outlook 24 References 26 SURVIVAL TO SUPREMACY SEPTEMBER 2012 INTRODUCTION 89th rank as India still has fewer hotel rooms per capita by international comparison apart from other infrastructural concerns such as ATMs etc. that facilitate travel within the The global scenario - economic, political or even social, is ever country. Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India had witnessed a dynamic creating and recreating conditions that have lasting Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.06% over the effects on our business environment. Whether it is the global last five years and the number of FTAs in India has been 6.29 economic slowdown in 2008 or the more recent European million in 2011 and has seen a growth of 8.9% year-o-year over Union crisis, natural disasters in Japan or the uprisings in the 2010. Likewise domestic tourists saw an annual growth of 13.8% Middle Eastern and Islamic world, each event contributes in in 2011. Highest number of FTAs in India were recorded from creating new histories. Globally, the hospitality sector is one of USA (15.9% of total FTA's), UK (12.57%), Bangladesh (6.34 %) the most sensitive sectors that is affected by any and all events – and Sri Lanka (4.85%). Going forward, the Ministry of Tourism has global, regional or local. projected that the Western and European markets will increase While impact of global conditions may not have been very their contribution towards tourism in 2012-13 and 2013-14 in positive on many other aspects of India's economy, the travel and India.
    [Show full text]
  • Sustainability Initiatives: Wellness Tourism
    Sustainability Initiatives: Wellness Tourism PRESENTED JUNE 2016 BY CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM, ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY FOR ARIZONA COUNCIL FOR ENHANCING RECREATION AND TOURISM (ACERT) Produced by Maya Azzi, Kari Roberg, and Christine Vogt, Ph.D. Posted at http://scrd.asu.edu/sustainabletourism Wellness Tourism Wellness is a dimension of health and is seen as an approach to quality of life. Wellness tourism can be defined as travel with the purpose of maintaining health and well-being through physical, spiritual, and psychological experiences and activities. Wellness travel can occur internationally and domestically. Wellness encompasses the broad idea of promoting well-being. It can include activities such as, meditation and yoga retreats, spa experiences, fitness boot camps, cultural festivals, cycling excursions, agritourism, and a plethora of other opportunities to better one’s self and disconnect from the over-stimulating world we currently reside in. Economic Impact Wellness tourism creates economic impact for communities and destinations alike. Some travelers plan an entire trip around wellness activities, while others include it as a piece of their trip. Studies show wellness tourism to have significant economic impact and continues to grow with increased interest by consumers and responsive sectors such as medical, parks, and spas. A 2013 Global Wellness Tourism Economy Report found that wellness tourism is a $439 billion market globally and generates 11.7 million jobs. Growth projections are $678.5 billion by 2017. Research has shown that those for whom wellness is their primary trip purpose spend more than the average global tourist. Projected growth of wellness tourism makes this an ideal time for Arizona to invest further in its assets and increase marketing efforts.
    [Show full text]
  • Analysis of the Global and Asian Wellness Tourism Sector
    BACKGROUND PAPER Analysis of the Global and Asian Wellness Tourism Sector Scott Wayne with Emma Russell DISCLAIMER This background paper was prepared for the report Asian Development Outlook 2020 Update: Wellness in Worrying Times. It is made available here to communicate the results of the underlying research work with the least possible delay. The manuscript of this paper therefore has not been prepared in accordance with the procedures appropriate to formally-edited texts. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this paper do not necessarily reflect the views of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), its Board of Governors, or the governments they represent. The ADB does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this document and accepts no responsibility for any consequence of their use. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by ADB in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. Any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area, or use of the term “country” in this document, is not intended to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area. Boundaries, colors, denominations, and other information shown on any map in this document do not imply any judgment on the part of the ADB concerning the legal status of any territory or the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries. ANALYSIS OF THE GLOBAL AND ASIAN WELLNESS TOURISM SECTOR Scott Wayne with Emma Russell 2 CONTENTS Page I. INTRODUCTION 5 II. OVERVIEW OF THE GLOBAL TOURISM INDUSTRY 7 A.
    [Show full text]
  • The Varieties of the Spiritual Tourist Experience Alex Norman
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by The University of Sydney: Sydney eScholarship Journals... The Varieties of the Spiritual Tourist Experience Alex Norman Introduction Spiritual tourism has been proposed as a phenomenon in leisured travel. It is defined as tourism characterised by a self-conscious project of spiritual betterment. A small number of scholars have commented on it both directly and indirectly, and it is clear from these reports that there are a wide variety of practices in a great many locations around the world. What has not received sufficient scholarly treatment yet is the phenomenological taxonomy of spiritual tourist experiences, in part due to the divergent conceptions of what the term encompasses. By proposing a focused yet malleable frame of reference for the term it is possible to create a taxonomy that is empirically driven and that has application in the broader field of tourism studies. As such, this article argues that spiritual tourist experiences should be roughly grouped into five varietal categories – healing, experimental, quest, retreat, and collective – that often overlap, and which serve to illuminate broader social currents in Western societies. William James commenced his series of lectures that resulted in the famous text, Varieties of Religious Experience, with a statement encouraging the scholar to look to the productions of their subject for primary material. James argued that, “[t]he documents humains which we shall find most instructive need not then be sought for in the haunts of special erudition – they lie along the beaten highway.”1 This article looks to the documents humains of spiritual tourists, along with a scholarly discussion of them, in order to propose a categorisation of spiritual tourist experience types that signal methodological avenues for further research.
    [Show full text]