Conceptual framework on health and tourism – an interregional point of view of the Silver Economy

Abstract

Background It is essential that both sectors of health and tourism, share experiences and integrate each other's excellence maintaining focus on citizens wellbeing. The demographic evolution mandates the development of a common planning that takes into account the needs and characteristics of each sector. The health care system should no longer be regarded as a cost-generating sector, but rather as a driving force of the economy. Quality health benefits and services can attract citizens who are concerned about maintaining or improving health and well-being as well as patients in search of high-quality services, thus contributing to the development of the tourism market. We aim to discuss with participants active and healthy ageing (Silver Economy), share a workable definition of health tourism, map tourist flow at national and international level, outline trajectories with a specific focus on recommendations. Methods Document and stakeholder analysis will be used to define health services 'attractiveness'. Results Health tourism can be considered an opportunity for the Silver Economy. Actions are necessary to profile customers/clients, countries/regions to seek for scalable best practices. Creating age-friendly tourism contexts while enhancing culture and tourism to support active ageing policies can be used to focus/prioritize and strengthen digital solutions. Conclusions Further actions are essential from the systems point of view like administrative simplification, emphasis in a collaborative and non-competitive approach; The creation of new business models (access and reimbursement paths, investment mergers, reinvestment of avoided costs for effective health promotion / prevention interventions); Communication campaigns (e.g. on the health benefits of thermal waters, derogation for the protection of specific labels); New training and education curricula for administrative, tourism, health and socio-health personnel are a new focus to be procured