Profile of tourists visiting European spa resorts: a case study of Poland. Issue 3 (2nd September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dryglas, Diana; Różycki, Paweł
• Is Part Of: Journal of policy research in tourism, leisure & events. Volume 9:Issue 3(2017)
• Page Start: 298
• Page End: 317
• Publication Date: 2017-09-02
• Subjects: Profile -- non-commercial -- commercial -- spa resort -- Poland; Tourism -- Research -- Periodicals; Consumption (Economics) -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; 338.4791
• DOI: 10.1080/19407963.2017.1297311
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1940-7963

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Spa resorts in Europe have recently faced a need to adapt to the heterogeneous market, due to the health-related demand changes. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to provide a thorough assessment of tourists visiting spa resorts. The present study focuses primarily on Polish medical (therapeutic) spa resorts. The findings of the primary study reveal a complex approach to the profiling of spa resort tourists who were categorized into two groups regarding funding source of treatment, namely non-commercial and commercial. Primary data were obtained from 2050 tourists visiting the medical Polish spa resorts relating to the socio-demographic, behavioural and psychographic characteristics. The empirical evidence is based on a variety of statistical tools chosen according to the measurement scale for answers (metric, non-metric data). Knowing the profiles of spa resort tourists is important for local government entities and managers of spa treatment enterprises in order to develop and manage a spa resort product that meets the needs of their customers.