Definitions of health tourism from the language of tourism experts

Definitions of health tourism from the language of health tourism experts
There are various definitions of health tourism, some of which are mentioned below:

International Union of Official Travel Organizations (1973): provision of health facilities using the country's natural resources, especially mineral water and climate.
This definition is limited and makes health tourism exclusive to the use of mineral waters and weather (Harahsheh, 2004).

Imran: A person's journey for treatment (whether through medical interventions or using natural resources), rest and maintaining physical health. This trip can be done voluntarily or on the advice of a doctor.

Tabachi is of the opinion that health tourism is any trip that is done to improve the health of one's self or a member of one's family (Ross, 2001).

According to Goodrich (1987), health tourism is any effort that a center (hotel) or tourist destination (Switzerland) makes to improve health care facilities and equipment (in addition to conventional facilities) in order to attract tourists.

Plaque and William provided the following definition of health tourism: recreational and educational activities that are carried out away from the work environment and in which tourism products and services are provided with the aim of promoting health and wellness.
Compared to previous definitions, this definition adds a new dimension to health tourism, and that is to include the activities of researchers and students in this field. (Harasheh, 2002:91)

Megabligh defines health tourism as: the journey of a sick person to receive healing services or to prevent the deterioration of his illness outside of the usual living environment for a period of at least one day and at most one year. The trip of healthy people who accompany the sick person in this trip should also be considered as part of health tourism (previous source: 88).
According to the above definition, sick companions are also in the realm of health tourism, but based on the definitions of sick companions, they are not part of health tourism (International Union of Official Travel Organizations (IUOTO). Disagreements like what you mentioned in measuring the economic effects of tourism Health causes different statistics.

Hall considers health tourism as a commercial phenomenon in industrialized societies in which a person travels to other destinations from his permanent place of residence to maintain or improve his health. The equipment and facilities of the destination, the quality and price of the services it provides, are considered part of the motivations for travel. (Previous source: 89)

According to the definition of the Ministry of Health of Malaysia, health tourism is travel with the aim of improving the mental, physical and spiritual health of individuals, families and groups. Medical care and wellness are known as elements of health tourism. (Vajirakachuran, 2004)

Also, Carrera and Bridge (2006) defined health tourism as follows: health tourism is an organized trip from the local environment that takes place in order to maintain, improve and regain the physical and mental health of a person.

According to his studies in Australia, Germany, Slovenia and Italy, Kazen offers a limited definition of health tourism as follows:
Health tourism is a type of economic activity whose purpose is to maintain and improve the physical, psychological, and spiritual health and improve the quality of life of customers (travelers) and in which natural treatments, physical treatment methods (such as massage) and required physical exercises are used. will be

In Kazan's definition, health tourists are tourists or guests who dedicate part of their time to health tourism activities and spend the rest of their time according to their wishes. Therefore, health tourism is a combined product of the health and tourism sectors. The development of health tourism services requires special conditions such as natural medicines, suitable food for tourists and medical and pharmaceutical equipment and facilities, medical supervision, suitable accommodation for this type of tourists and suitable places for creating health villages. According to Kazan, in all types of tourism, there are elements and things that try to prevent illness and improve the physical, mental and mental health of the tourist, but only in health tourism, the trip is specifically prepared for this purpose.

Health tourism is a component with two important and basic components, which requires the cooperation of several service centers, including air, rail, sea transportation, agencies, hotels, tour operators, financial institutions, insurance companies, for its implementation. There are banks, medical centers and hospitals, and above these organizations, to design policies and monitor the correct implementation of laws, as well as to create a regular and cooperative network in the country, there should be a team consisting of the Organization of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism, Ministries of Health. , medical treatment and education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministries of Labor Welfare and Social Affairs and the Institute of Strategic Studies of the Tourism Industry should be designed (Rokni, 2009).