Title: Characteristics of the leisure activities that create wellness in tourism destinations

Authors: Diego R. Medina-Muñoz; Rita D. Medina-Muñoz

Addresses: University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Edificio de Empresariales, Módulo C-3.04, 35017, Las Palmas de G.C., Islas Canarias, Spain ' University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Edificio de Empresariales, Módulo C-3.04, 35017, Las Palmas de G.C., Islas Canarias, Spain

Abstract: The overall objective of this research is to analyse the conditions and attributes of the leisure activities that create wellness in a tourism context. Firstly, the literature on wellness leisure and wellness tourism demand is examined with a view to identifying major commonalities and patterns. Secondly, an exploratory study of the wellness leisure style of European visitors to Gran Canaria is conducted, covering socio-demographic characteristics, the wellness leisure activities at the place of residence (visits to wellness centres, trips for wellness motives and the reasons of the trip to Gran Canaria), the wellness leisure activities at the destination (visits to wellness centres and the enjoyment of wellness treatments), as well as the conditions and attributes of the leisure activities that are important in choosing wellness destinations.

Keywords: wellness leisure; wellbeing; leisure activities; tourism destinations; wellness tourism; health tourism; tourist demand; wellness demand; tourism marketing; Gran Canaria; wellness destinations.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLTM.2013.057313

International Journal of Leisure and Tourism Marketing, 2013 Vol.3 No.4, pp.344 - 363

Received: 11 Aug 2012
Accepted: 03 Apr 2013

Published online: 24 Oct 2013 *

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