Health travel motivation and activities: insights from a mature market – Switzerland

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate predictors (stated motivation and reported leisure activities) of health travel as opposed to a control group incorporating all other travel of the Swiss resident population, a well‐matured market.

Design/methodology/approach

An a priori segmentation of more than 11,000 trip cases (health travel as opposed to non‐health travel) was chosen as means of methodological concept, and stepwise logistic regressions of 25 types of motivations and 72 types of activities towards group membership served as means of analysis.

Findings

There appears to be a mature perception of health travel in the developed Swiss market, comprising rewarding elements of beauty, indulgence, and regeneration combined with demanding elements such as (challenging and stimulating) sports, including mountain biking, hiking, and golf.

Originality/value

The paper enhances the still slim body of knowledge on health travel.

Citation

Laesser, C. (2011), "Health travel motivation and activities: insights from a mature market – Switzerland", Tourism Review, Vol. 66 No. 1/2, pp. 83-89. https://doi.org/10.1108/16605371111127251