Hot Springs, Health and Wellbeing

Erfurt, Patricia

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-60463-9_8

Cited by 1 publication

(4 citation statements)

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“…Regarding the question Is the definition of thermalism consensual among all researchers? We can say yes, definitions are easy to find, and they all contain similar variables and their purpose and meaning do not vary much (Erfurt and Cooper, 2009). However, it is also true that there is an ambiguity of terms, and it is necessary to clarify what thermalism is, which is why we present a conceptual reflection and propose a definition.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…From this perspective, Mosqueira et al (2009) suggest three classifications for centres according to the type of water: (1) thermal centres, which use mineral waters for preventive and therapeutic purposes; (2) spas that offer hydrothermal and beauty techniques using tap water, with or without additives and (3) thalassotherapy centres, which use sea water and marine elements for preventive and therapeutic purposes. Taking as a reference the approach of Erfurt and Cooper (2009) who suggest segmentation of important definitions within this theme, we conducted a search with definitions related to thermalism. For Alina-Cerasela (2015), thermal tourism is on the border between wellness tourism and medical tourism, depending on the resources employed to satisfy the needs for wellness, medical benefits or both, according to the needs and desires of a large segment of tourists.…”

Section: Theoretical Perspectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For Huang et al (2019), thermal water and mineral springs, along with wellness treatments and therapies, meet customers' needs for rehabilitation and recovery from illness. Wellness-related treatments, services and activities offer tourists relaxation, stress relief and a unique experience that improves the mind, body and soul and enhances well-being (Erfurt and Cooper, 2009). Thermalism should focus on a new approach to experience tourism, structured on the potential of the health and wellness product, based on an integrated development model that makes use of digital ecosystems and smart business networks as a conceptual construction pillar (Leite et al , 2021).…”

Section: Theoretical Perspectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, this type of tourism faces a multitude of challenges and one of them is the discrepancy in its conceptual approaches and definitions (Quintela et al , 2016). According to Erfurt and Cooper (2009), thermalism's reputation as beneficial for health and well-being stems from the European tradition of qualified medical specialists with experience in applying treatments using natural hot springs. A rigorous, in-depth analysis of thermalism and communication, led Antunes et al (2021) to conclude on an urgent need for continuous updating of research on emerging themes, through publishing scientific articles in journals with a high impact factor.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A theoretical reflection on thermalism and communication: future perspectives in times of crisis

Antunes

Gonçalves

Estevão

2022

JHTI

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PurposeThe purpose of this article is through a systematic literature review (SLR) to present a conceptual approach to the importance of communication for thermalism. An in-depth analysis of scientific publications provides a conceptual understanding about the definition of thermalism and the importance of communication in the thermal sector. The intention is also to identify the major challenges for communication in thermalism in times of crisis. The literature on conceptual approaches in the field of thermalism is almost non-existent, and this is an important contribution of the research presented.Design/methodology/approachTo achieve the objectives, an SLR was carried out, through the Preferred Reporting Items Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) Statement method, using the Web of Science and Scopus databases. A total of 139 articles were found, of which only 26 were used for the qualitative analysis. EndNote 20 and Nvivo software were used to identify the articles for the study, their analysis and systematization of the collected information.FindingsThe results, among others, through an in-depth analysis of scientific publications, clarified the definition of thermalism and provided relevant results for better understanding of the importance of the dimensions of communication for thermalism.Research limitations/implicationsThe research addresses the current scarcity of academic work on the importance of communication applied to a thermal destination and the lack of relevant strategic models for the diffusion/promotion of a destination. Finally, a limitation was the fact that only 2 databases were considered and only journal articles were included. As a future line of research the authors propose extending the theme to thermal tourism experiences. In addition, scientific studies focusing on water-based experiences connected with thermalism are almost non-existent and very relevant for the future of the sector, as well as studies in the area of communication with the following research questions: where do tourists consult information when choosing a travel destination? and what are the appropriate communication channels to reach the thermal market?; We close this reflection by concluding that the thermal tradition, through the know-how of the medical class, the properties of thermal waters and the cultural history associated with its early days, stimulated more recently by implementing innovations, will regain its role in preserving health and well-being through thermal water and the exploitation of territories' endogenous resources. These factors are the basis through which communication sciences can create strategies adapted to each country to promote a thermal destination brand.Practical implicationsResearch in tourism destination management has provided solutions, through communication, to problems that are faced daily by countries, and the authors hope this research also contributes to the recovery of thermal tourism destinations in times of crisis. It is also from this perspective that based on the main themes and dimensions of communication identified in the SLR that the authors propose the Corporate, Organisational, Skills, Management and Online (COSMO) model to help promote resilient thermal destinations prepared for future crises. The diversity and originality of this research model will be useful for destination promoters, spa managers and communication professionals.Social implicationsThis study contributes to the literature by providing a theoretical framework of excellence in thermalism. One possible way to solve the ambiguity of terms related to thermalism is to consider another more comprehensive term as a combination of different approaches. The aim is not to create an academic division, but rather to contribute to better conceptual understanding, from a theoretical and paradigmatic perspective, of what thermalism is. Here, a new targeted and more comprehensive concept emerges, which from the academic perspective of communication sciences will lead to prevention for a new way of feeling good with life, contributing to promoting thermal destinations in the world with a greater understanding.Originality/valueFor better understanding of the concepts, this study proposes a new definition of thermalism. As research related to thermal destinations, through communication management contributes to attract tourists, promote experiences, provide the human capital of the sector with skills and create authentic and resilient place brands. It is from this perspective that the model was proposed, based on the dimensions of communication related to the main themes obtained through the SLR. This model supports a plurality of communication strategies, with different characteristics and objectives but which meet a collective purpose: to disseminate information about thermalism, in order to build collective knowledge to promote thermal destinations. The analysis highlights the need for further research into thermalism, with special focus on communication.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Theoretical Perspectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%