Work

Water, health and well-being, and tourism: analysis of a triangular relationship in Portugal

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: The relationship between water, health, and well-being has been a topic of interest since ancient times. When combined with tourism, the term health and well-being tourism is often applied, but this relationship is more complex. Water in its various forms, such as oceans, seas, rivers, and reservoirs, provides a basis for activities that positively impact human physical and mental health. This concept of blue tourism emerged, aiming to assess whether people's relationship with water and its impacts on their health and well-being constitute tourist attraction factors and if these can be monetised through the development of blue spaces. A survey was conducted, obtaining 2930 valid responses, to assess the relationship between proximity and contact with water and the health and well-being of individuals. The data collected revealed that the presence of water in visited areas influences the type of activities undertaken, and there is a strong conviction that blue spaces positively impact health and mental well-being. This empirical study reinforces the theoretical construction around blue tourism and blue space, providing information for planning and developing tourism in blue spaces based on this intense, multidimensional relationship between water, health, and well-being.

Source: Tourism Recreation Research

DOI: 10.1080/02508281.2024.2426430

Authors: Mónica Brito, Luís Silveira

Institutions: University of Évora, Centro Interdisciplinar de História Culturas e Sociedades, Centro de Estudos em Geografia e Ordenamento do Territorio, University of Coimbra

Language: English

Topic: Urban Green Space and Health

Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Clean water and sanitation

Open Access status: green

Funder: Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia