How equipped are the Maltese five-star hotels for spa/wellness tourism?

Abstract

The trends in the tourism sector has seen an increase in specialised niche markets. Niche markets that has evolved from lifestyles, one being wellness. Although wellness, medical treatments and alternative medical practices is not a new practice, there is evidence all throughout the world that people have chosen to travel to experience these practices.

Wellness tourism today has expanded into an industry with worldwide revenue exceeding more than three million dollars. Many destinations are opting to explore this sector, investing in feasibility studies on how to introduce this sector. The wellness sector of tourism was once associated with luxury destinations such as Asia and Pacific Islands, and many European countries that have natural resources such as hot springs, in Switzerland, Hungary and Germany. Today, this sector is being challenged in countries that does not have natural hot springs, such as Malta and many inner cities.

The definition of spas and wellness has evolved as treatments are offered from hotels and wellness establishments.

This research will concentrate on the five-star sector of hotels to determine how equipped they are contributing to the wellness tourist experience.

The reason for choosing this study will also highlight if this sector is attracting the wellness tourist to island, having a disadvantage of not having natural springs. It will also identify if this sector contributes to the revenue of the five-star hotels and the economy.