Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Quantitative Methods in Tourism Economics pp 153–173Cite as

The Economic Impact of Health Tourism Programmes

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

Abstract

The increasing awareness of the benefits that tourism brings to visitors and to destinations, and of the existence of groups with constraints to participate in tourism, has contributed to a rise of social tourism programmes worldwide. Since long, health is one of main issues of social concern. Additionally, the increase of life expectancy and population ageing is a marking feature of modern societies. Taking into consideration that seniors tend to suffer several constraints to participate in tourism, some related to health problems, the development of social health tourism programmes for this segment is crucial. The development of this kind of programmes also results in important economic benefits to tourism destinations. This chapter presents a methodology to quantify the total economic benefits – direct, indirect and induced – of a social tourism programme. This methodology was used to quantify the total economic benefits of a Portuguese social tourism programme focused on health tourism for the senior market in 2007. The empirical study shows that this social tourism programme has high multiplier effects, and originates considerable economic impacts for the national economy in terms of output, employment, household income and value added. The results provide useful inputs for the development of social tourism programmes aiming at maximizing the economic benefits of these programmes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Archer BH (1982) The value of multipliers and their policy implications. Tour Manage 3(4):236–241

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Archer BH (1995) The impact of international tourism on the economy of Bermuda, 1994. J Travel Res 34(2):27–30

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Archer BH, Fletcher J (1996) The economic impact of tourism in the Seychelles. Ann Tour Res 23(1):32–47

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ATP (2008) Estatísticas. Associação das Termas de Portugal, Lisboa

    Google Scholar 

  • Baaijens SR, Nijkamp P, Montfort KV (1998) Explanatory meta-analysis for the comparison and transfer of regional tourist income multipliers. Reg Stud 32:839–849

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • BITS (2003) http://www.bits-int.org/files/1177082769_doc_Statutes.pdf. Accessed 15 Feb 2011

  • BITS (2011) http://www.bits-int.org/. Accessed 15 Feb 2011

  • Blake A (2009) The dynamics of tourism’s economic impact. Tour Econ 15(3):615–628

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bonn MA, Harrington J (2008) A comparison of three economic impact models for applied hospitality and tourism research. Tour Econ 14(4):769–789

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Braun BM (1992) The economic contribution of conventions: the case of Orlando Florida. J Travel Res 30(3):32–37

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cleaver M, Muller TE (2002) I want to pretend I’m eleven years younger: subjective age and seniors’ motives for vacation travel. Soc Indic Res 60(1–3):227–241

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daniels MJ, Norman WC, Henry MS (2004) Estimating income effects of a sport tourism event. Ann Tour Res 31(1):180–190

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dann G (2001) Senior tourism. Ann Tour Res 28(1):235–238

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Decree-law no. 106/2008, June 25th. Creates the INATEL Foundation and approves its statutes

    Google Scholar 

  • Deng W (2008) Using a revised importance-performance analysis approach: the case of Taiwanese hot springs tourism. Tour Manage 28(5):1274–1284

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dwyer L, Forsyth P, Spurr R (2005) Estimating the impacts of special events on economy. J Travel Res 43:351–359

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • EC (2011) http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/tourism/calypso/index_en.htm. Accessed 15 Feb 2011

  • EESC (2006) Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on social tourism in Europe. Off J Eur Union, 23 Dec 2006, pp 67–77

    Google Scholar 

  • Eurostat (2010) Europe in figures – Eurostat yearbook, statistical office of the European union, Luxemburg. http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu. Accessed 15 Feb 2011

  • Eusébio MCA (2006) Avaliação dos impactes económicos do turismo a nível regional: o caso da Região Centro de Portugal. Dissertação de Doutoramento apresentada à Universidade de Aveiro

    Google Scholar 

  • Fesenmair DR, Lonnie J (1989) Assessing the economic impact of outdoor recreation travel to the Texas Gulf Coast. J Travel Res 28(1):18–23

    Google Scholar 

  • Flectcher JE (1989) Input-output analysis and tourism impact studies. Ann Tour Res 16:514–529

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fleischer A, Pizam A (2002) Tourism constraints among Israeli seniors. Ann Tour Res 29(1):106–123

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fontanari M, Kern A (2003) The “comparative analysis of spas” – an instrument for the re-positioning of spas in the context of competition in spa and health tourism. Tour Rev 58(3):20–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frechtling DC, Horváth E (1999) Estimating the multiplier effects of tourism expenditures on a local economy through a regional input-output model. J Travel Res 37:324–332

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • González AM, Rodríguez C, Miranda MR, Cervantes M (2009) Cognitive age as a criterion explaining senior tourists’ motivations. Int J Cult Tour Hosp Res 3(2):148–164

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hazel N (2005) Holidays for children and families in need: an exploration of the research and policy context for social tourism in the UK. Child Soc 19:225–236

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Higgins-Desbiolles E (2006) More than an “industry”: the forgotten power of tourism as a social force. Tour Manage 27:1192–1208

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hjalager A-M (2005) Innovation in tourism from a welfare state perspective. Scand J Hosp Tour 5(1):46–62

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hjerpe EE, Kim Y-S (2007) Regional economic impacts of Grand Canyon river runners. J Environ Manage 85:137–149

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Horneman L, Carter RW, Wei S, Ruys H (2002) Profiling the senior traveler: an Australian perspective. J Travel Res 41(1):23–37

    Google Scholar 

  • Hsua CHC, Caib LA, Wong KKF (2007) A model of senior tourism motivations – anecdotes from Beijing and Shanghai. Tour Manage 28:1262–1273

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • IMSERSO (2011) http://www.imserso.es/imserso_01/envejecimiento_activo/termalismo/index.htm Accessed 15 Feb 2011

  • INATEL (1997) Execution report of the programa saúde e termalismo sénior 1997. INATEL, Lisboa

    Google Scholar 

  • INATEL (2000) Execution report of the programa saúde e termalismo sénior 2000. INATEL, Lisboa

    Google Scholar 

  • INATEL (2007a) Execution report of the programa saúde e termalismo sénior 2007. INATEL, Lisboa

    Google Scholar 

  • INATEL (2007b) Brochure of the programa saúde e termalismo sénior 2007. INATEL, Lisboa

    Google Scholar 

  • INATEL (2011) http://www.inatel.pt/content.aspx?menuid=29. Accessed 15 Feb 2011

  • INE (2007) Contas anuais definitivas (base 2000) – 2003. Instituto Nacional de Estatística, Lisboa

    Google Scholar 

  • INE (2010a) Anuário Estatístico de Portugal 2009. Instituto Nacional de Estatística, Lisboa

    Google Scholar 

  • INE (2010b) Sobre a pobreza, as desigualdades e a privação material em Portugal 2009. Instituto Nacional de Estatística, Lisboa

    Google Scholar 

  • Kapczyńskia A, Szromek AR (2008) Hypotheses concerning the development of Polish spas in the years 1949–2006. Tour Manage 29(5):1035–1037

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim SS, Priedaux B, Chon K (2010) A comparison of results of three statistical methods to understand the determinants of festival participants’ expenditures. Int J Hosp Manage 29:297–307

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar NP (2004) Economic impact of tourism on Fiji’s economy: empirical evidence from the computable general equilibrium model. Tour Econ 10(4):419–433

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee C, Kwon K-S (1995) Importance of secondary impact of foreign tourism receipts on the South Korean Economy. J Travel Res 34(2):50–54

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee C, Kwon K-S (1997) The economic impact of the casino industry in South Korea. J Travel Res 36(1):52–58

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leeuwen ES, Nijkamp P, Rietveld P (2009) A meta-analytic comparison of regional output multipliers at different spatial levels: economic impacts of tourism. In: Matias Á, Nijkamp P, Sarmento M (eds) Advances in tourism economics. Physica Verlag, Heidelberg, pp 13–33

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Leones J, Colby B, Crandall K (1998) Tracking expenditures of the elusive nature tourists of Southeastern Arizon. J Travel Res 36(3):56–64

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lichty RW, Steines DN (1982) Measuring the impact of tourism on a small community. Growth Change 13(2):36–39

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu J, Var T (1983) The economic impact of tourism in metropolitan Victoria B.C. J Travel Res 22(2):8–15

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lohmann M, Danielsson J (2004) How to get the future of tourism out of today’s consumer surveys: prospects for senior and kids travel in Germany. Paper presented in the 7th edition of the international forum about tourism statistics, Stockholm

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayen M, Muller M, Woltering M, Arnegger J, Job H (2010) The economic impact of tourism in six German national parks. Landscape Urban Plan 92(2):73–82

    Google Scholar 

  • McCabe S (2009) Who needs a holiday? Evaluating social tourism. Ann Tour Res 36(4):667–688

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCabe S, Joldersma T, Li C (2010) Understanding the benefits of social tourism: linking participation to subjective well-being and quality of life. Int J Tour Res 12(6):761–773

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McGehee NG, Santos CA (2005) Social change discourse and volunteer tourism. Ann Tour Res 32(3):760–779

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller RE, Blair PD (1985) Input-output analysis: foundations and extensions. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs

    Google Scholar 

  • Minnaert L, Maitland R, Miller G (2009) Tourism and social policy: the value of social tourism. Ann Tour Res 36(2):316–334

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nimrod G (2008) Retirement and tourism – themes in retirees’ narratives. Ann Tour Res 35(4):859–878

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nimrod G, Rotem A (2010) Between relaxation and excitement: activities and benefits in retirees’ tourism. Int J Tour Res 12(1):65–78

    Google Scholar 

  • Ogorlec A, Snoj B (1998) Guests’ satisfaction with tourism services: a case of health resorts in Slovenia. Tour Rev 53(2):38–47

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • OITS (2011) http://www.bits-int.org/en/index.php?menu=1%26submenu=2. Accessed 10 Feb 2011

  • Porter PK, Fletcher D (2008) The economic impact of the Olympic Games: ex ante predictions and ex post reality. J Sport Manage 22(4):470–486

    Google Scholar 

  • Pratt S (2011) Economic linkages and impacts across the TALC. Ann Tour Res 38(2):630–650

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramos A (2005) O Termalismo em Portugal: dos factores de obstrução à revitalização pela dimensão turística. Ph.D. thesis, Departament of Economics, Management and Industrial Engineering, University of Aveiro

    Google Scholar 

  • Schubert SF, Brida JG (2009) Macroeconomic effects of changes in tourism demand: a simple dynamic model. Tour Econ 15(3):561–613

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shoemaker S (2000) Segmentation of the senior pleasure travel market: 10 years later. J Travel Res 39:11–26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ULB-IGEAT-LITOteS (2009) Employment in the social tourism sector in Europe, (study carried out under the auspices of EFFAT and BITS)

    Google Scholar 

  • United Nations (1948) General assembly resolution 217 A, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • UNWTO (2011) http://www.unwto.org/ethics/principles/en/article_7.php. Accessed 9 Feb 2011

  • Zhou D, Yanagida JF, Chakravorty U, Leung P (1997) Estimating economic impacts from tourism. Ann Tour Res 24(1):76–89

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. DEGEI, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal

    Celeste Eusébio, Maria João Carneiro, Elisabeth Kastenholz & Helena Alvelos

Authors
  1. Celeste Eusébio
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Maria João Carneiro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Elisabeth Kastenholz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Helena Alvelos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Celeste Eusébio .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Economics and Business, Universidade Lusíada de Lisboa, Rua da Junqueira 188-198, Lisboa, 1349-001, Portugal

    Álvaro Matias

  2. Faculty of Economics, and Business Administration, Free University, De Boelelaan 1105, Amsterdam, 1081 HV, Netherlands

    Peter Nijkamp

  3. School of Economics and Business, Head of the Tourism Department, Universidade Lusíada de Lisboa, Rua da Junqueira 188-198, Lisboa, 1349-001, Portugal

    Manuela Sarmento

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Eusébio, C., Carneiro, M.J., Kastenholz, E., Alvelos, H. (2013). The Economic Impact of Health Tourism Programmes. In: Matias, Á., Nijkamp, P., Sarmento, M. (eds) Quantitative Methods in Tourism Economics. Physica, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7908-2879-5_9

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation