Health, Wellness and Tourism: healthy tourists, healthy business ...

These two research studies together cover 6 of the 7 statistical planning regions of Hungary.
The main objectives of the research studies were:
• examine the local economic impacts of tourism investments financially supported by
the government or EU to measure their multiplier impacts.
• introduce the operational characteristics and local/national impacts of the new tourism
investments (e.g.: new jobs created, growth of operational revenue, growth of local
and central budget revenue generated by the new health tourism projects).
• introduce quantitative indicators of the demand and its structure with seasonal
characteristics
• understand the perception of locals and entrepreneurs about the tourism investments
• estimate the economic impacts of health tourism development at national level.
Research methods
Both research studies have relied on the same approach and methodology. This included the
following components:
• Collect relevant statistical data (desk information) on tourism projects prior to and
after developments such as:
o Capacity and tourist flow of collective accommodation at the examined
destinations.
o Number of tourism enterprises at the examined cities/towns
o Growth of own tax revenue (inc. Tourism taxes) of local government
These data were obtained from the Central Statistical Office, Hungary.
• Information and statistical data produced by primary research such as
o Investment data of health development projects
� Projected, actual investment values
� Characteristics of construction
� Share of import
o Estimated/projected investment values of indirect and induced tourism
investment in the following 4-5 years.
• Operational data
o Number of new jobs generated by health tourism investments
o Operational revenue of new units
o Quantitative demand indicators of new developments, seasonility and structure
of tourist flow
o Local and central budget taxes paid by new health tourism
The primary research was based on focused statistical data request (data sheets designed
specifically for the studies) and interviews with local government representatives and unit
managers.
While the approach and methodology was the same in the two studies, there were some
unique factors and the research timeframe and project macro-environments were different.
Next we present a short summary of the studies with key characteristics.
• 2004 research study
o Scope: 11 health tourism projects, financially supported by Széchenyi
Program.
o Research timeframe: base year of 2001 and first full operational year in 2004
o Széchenyi Program was the only tourism development program in Hungary in
the research timeframe