Health tourism researches: the examination of the success factors of health tourism enterprises and the quality of the health tourism services, service management.
Thesis supervisor: Anetta Müller
Web address (URL): http://doktoriiskola.etk.pte.hu/ Location of studies (in Hungarian): Doctoral School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary Abbreviation of location of studies: EDI
Description of the research topic:
The key to the tourism development in our country is health tourism, which is one of the flagship products of our tourism industry. Hungary has favorable conditions in the health tourism sector as we are rich in various healing factors. In fact, thermal water can be found under 80% of our country's territory. The properties of our thermal water are significant on a global scale, with only a few countries surpassing us. In addition to thermal water, our healing factors are enriched by our medicinal caves, mofetta, medicinal mud baths, and climate diversity. The high standard of medical education and healthcare professionals' domestic and international recognition also contribute to our favorable conditions. Our achievements in medical tourism make Hungary competitive in the international market.
Health tourism is a highly relevant topic today, as it is treated as a development priority within the framework of the New Széchenyi Plan, emphasizing the development of the Healing Hungary healthcare industry. Within this, health tourism, product development, and related marketing activities are prominently featured. Traditional health factors, primarily thermal water-based health tourism, and medical tourism based on medical services are prioritized in health tourism product development.
Through health tourism developments, Hungary has expanded its offerings and improved the quality of its products and services, enhancing its international competitiveness. Due to the spread of health-conscious behavior, there is increasing demand for various health tourism products and services. Tourism is one of the most important and profitable industries of our time, with its development showing almost uninterrupted growth. Although there was a 4.4% decrease in global tourist arrivals during the 2009 crisis compared to the previous year, in 2010, tourist arrivals increased to 938 million, representing a 6.6% growth in traffic.
In tourism, we increasingly witness a growing demand for high-quality services. In the future, the development of European tourism destinations should be based on high-quality, innovative products and good value for money. Uniqueness, distinctive identity, and tourism branding are now among the most defining elements of competitiveness. Today, not only Mediterranean sandy beaches and exotic places attract tourists, but there is also a growing demand for destinations that offer something new or unique.
The research topic covers the concept of health tourism, its areas, market environment, demand and supply trends, elements of competitiveness, and quality parameters of services. The analysis includes health tourism providers such as spas, adventure spas, wellness and medical hotels, and healthcare service providers (with reference to OEP or co-payment), analyzing their demand-supply factors, product development, competitiveness, and marketing communication.
The opportunity is provided to analyze and process health tourism research on tourism destinations (cities, regions, etc.). Students will become familiar with health tourism research, analyzing and evaluating statistical data. By calculating trend numbers and forecasting trends from periodic data, they will learn to predict demand and supply. Through questionnaire surveys, they will learn about the possibilities of measuring service quality parameters and guest satisfaction.
Required language skills: English language exam B2 level Number of students who can be accepted: 1
Deadline for application: 2024-05-31
2024. IV. 17. ODT ülés Az ODT következő ülésére 2024. június 14-én, pénteken 10.00 órakor kerül sor a Semmelweis Egyetem Szenátusi termében (Bp. Üllői út 26. I. emelet).
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