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

various timetables and obligations to comply with, traffic and the urban rhythm of life in
general) – 36.9% of those questioned mentioned they had a very stressful daily life, the
“environment” (pollution, area of residence) “interpersonal and economic constraints” (family
wellness, resources/economic limitations) are major issues. Among the “other” factors
referred, are “genetic/hereditary”, “epidemics” and “frequenting places which are also
frequented by smokers”.
When confronting those questioned with their wellness practices, on the one hand we see the
prevalence of the aforementioned set of personal care initiatives with the objective of
achieving a healthy life, such as “physical activity” (67.1%), “food and diet”, recourse to
alternative medicine and techniques and visits to SPAs – 33.7% – here, this is a systematically
mentioned and autonomous category in contrast with that initially observed, and on the other
hand, a set of practices diverse in nature. This new universe encompasses sociability practices
– 24.6% – (for example: dinner with friends, going on family outings, going out in the
evening with friends) and hobbies – 21.0% – (for example: travelling, going to the cinema or
theatre, listening to music, reading, painting, gardening, etc.). Recognition of the importance
of physical exercise and an appropriate diet for a healthy life is reinforced by the general
incorporation of these practices in lifestyles. Among those questioned 71.2% regularly
exercise or include exercise in their lifestyle, with only 28.7% of individuals never having
practised regular exercise or only now not involved in regular exercise.
As regards, special care with food and diet (for example: purchasing diet or organic products
etc.) and as mentioned, the scenario is very identical in that 70.2% of individuals regularly
watch what they eat and actually consider it an integral part of their lifestyle. Additionally,
70.1% of those questioned take or have taken food supplements, while 34.1% take or have
taken weight control products (natural or synthetic) These two care initiatives are reflected
namely in the body mass index (BMI) of those questioned (23.2 Kg/m 2 ). Overall, the sample
shows that 69.5% of SPA goers present a normal or below average BMI.
There is yet another set of practices and habits complimentary to those mentioned, for
example, the non-consumption of alcoholic drinks and/or no smoking. Among those
questioned, 51.3% do not drink alcoholic beverages outside mealtimes or do so very rarely
while 41.9% of individuals limit consumption to the weekends and special occasions. In this
sample, 69.4% of individuals are non-smokers and only 18.1% smoke. The remainder are
occasional smokers (particularly at parties or commemorative events). This series of care
initiatives is complemented by a set of monitoring practices such as simple weight watching.
This habit is common to 59.5% of those questioned, with the vast majority routinely watching
their weight at home. In addition to weight watching, 80.4% of the SPA goers who make up
our sample regularly have medical check-ups and in this particular universe 56.7% do so on
their own initiative with 43.3% acting based upon medical recommendation. This scenario
inverts only in the case of illness, upon which 66.3% resort primarily to a doctor and 33.7%
initially seek out the chemist (12.2%), self-medicate, (11.9%) or turn to alternative medicine
(9.6%).
The use of health management equipment in the home is another common practice. Overall,
52.9% of those questioned have equipment at home, with 28.5% having medical equipment
(such as blood pressure, glycaemia or cholesterol measurement devices etc.) and 38% have
physical fitness equipment (for example: bicycle, exercise machines, etc.). These practices
incorporate yet another formative/informative dimension on health, sustained by women and
men’s magazines, which are assiduously read by 52.6% of SPA goer respondents. Here,