The document discusses the mapping of Finnish health and well-being tourism destinations. It outlines the criteria used to define and identify such destinations, which include having facilities specializing in health/well-being, nature/pleasant surroundings, exercise opportunities, various treatments, and restaurants. Nineteen potential destinations were initially identified and then interviewed. Eight destinations met the criteria to be considered Finnish health and well-being tourism destinations. The mapping process and definition developed show similarities to international definitions but also challenges in clearly defining well-being tourism and positioning of Finnish destinations.

1. The mapping of Finnish health and well-being tourism destinations
Sanna Laiho
Turku Universityof AppliedSciences
Degree Programme in Hospitality Management

2. The basis for the mapping
WelDestsurvey sent to Finnish clients of health and well-being tourism
Analysed question: What words comes to your mind when speaking about a health and well-being tourism destination?
(N = 2066)
Kunnonpaikka

4. The criteria for a Finnish health and well-being tourism destination
To narrow down the size of the destination:
◦Smaller or wider than a town or city
◦An operator to enhance the tourism of the destination with e.g. marketing activities (public sector tourism organisation, DMO or a tourism association)

5. The criteria for a Finnish health and well-being tourism destination
Basedon theory:
◦Marketed as a health and well-being tourism destination or health and well-being is one of the profiles in the tourism destination’s marketing
Kyyhkylä

6. The criteria for a Finnish health and well-being tourism destination
Based on the survey results on the clients of Finnish health and well-being tourism:
◦Facilities specialised in health and well-being tourism
◦The nature is present and the surrounding milieu is pleasant
◦Opportunities to exercise
◦Different kinds of treatments available
◦Restaurant services available
Naantali Spa

7. The fulfilment of the criteria evaluated by points
6 of the criteria evaluated by points
To evaluate facilities, nature and milieu, exercise opportunities, different kinds of treatments and restaurant services:
3p. = variety of choices
2p. = more than one choice
1p. = fulfils
0p. = does not fulfil
To evaluate the marketing:
3p. = marketed as a health and well-being tourism destination
2p. = marketed as a health and well-being tourism destination
with some themes
1p. = health and well-being tourism as one of the profiles in the
marketing of the destination
0p. = does not fulfil

8. Different stages of the mapping
The websites of Finnish tourism destinations were mapped out based on the criteria
Tourism destinations left out of the mapping
◦Only one bigger health and well-being tourism service provider
Kuortane (KuortaneSport Resort)
Lappajärvi (Kylpylä Kivitippu(Spa))
Saarijärvi (Kylpylähotelli Summassaari(Spa))
Ikaalinen (Ikaalisten kylpylä (Spa))
Kaustinen (Kansanlääkintäkeskus (Health center))
Siuntio (Siuntion kylpylä (Spa))
Iisalmi (Runninkylpylä (Spa))
Porvoo (Haikon kartano (Spa))
◦Not enough health and well-being tourism service providers
Salla
Kalajoki
Lohja
◦Lack of an operator enhancing the tourism of the destination (the city itself, DMO or some tourism association)
Peurunka
Rokua

9. Different stages of the mapping
19 potential health and well-being tourism destinations:
ÄhtäriNaantali
HämeenlinnaKoli
JyväskyläLevi
RovaniemiYlläs
SaariselkäMikkeli
SavonlinnaRuka
TurkuPori
VuokattiKuopio-Tahkoarea
EspooHeinola
Lappeenranta and Imatraregion
Kumpeli Spa

10. Different stages of the mapping
The representatives of the 19 tourism destinations were interviewed by phone to find out
◦whether health and well-being is noted in the tourism strategy
◦which are the main target groups
◦about the marketing of the destination
Rauhalahti

11. The results of the mapping
8 Finnish health and well- being tourism destinations

12. The results of the mapping
18 points maximum, 15 points minimum

13. The results of the mapping
The definition of a Finnish health and well-being tourism destination is in conclusion:
A Finnish health and well-being tourism destination is smaller or wider than a town or city. There is more than one company providing health and well-being tourism services and services are offered diversely. There is an operator, such as public sector tourism organisation, a destination management organisation or another type of organisation, e.g. a tourism association, enhancing the tourism of the destination with e.g. marketing activities. In a Finnish health and well-being tourism destination there is a selection of facilities specialised in health and well-being tourism, diverse opportunities to exercise, diverse selection of treatments as well as restaurants. The nature is present at the destination and there is a pleasant surrounding milieu. The destination is either marketed as a health and well-being tourism destination or health and well-being is one of the profiles in the tourism destination’s marketing.

14. The results of the mapping
The definition of a Finnish health and wellbeing tourism destination has same elements with an international definition.
Wellness tourism resources:
◦Natural resources
◦Cultural, historical and spiritual resources
◦Complementary and alternative medicine
◦Community mindsetand wellness-related lifestyle
◦Human resources and competences
◦Wellness-specific superstructure
◦Wellness-related events
◦Crossover of wellness with other activities/offerings
(Voigt, C. & Pforr, C. (edited) 2014. Wellness Tourism –A destination perspective)

15. The results of the mapping
PotentialFinnishhealthand well-beingtourismdestinations:
◦Ähtäri
◦Koli
◦Jyväskylä
◦Savonlinna
◦Hämeenlinna
◦Pori
◦Rovaniemi
◦Ruka
◦Espoo
◦Saariselkä
Borderlinecases:
◦Ikaalinen
◦Rokua
◦Peurunka
Holiday Club Saimaa

16. Difficultyof the mapping(examples)
Difficulty of the definition well-being tourism (can also be seen from a wide perspective)
Difficulty to create the criteria
The careful positioning of Finnish tourism destinations

18. Frontpageof the websitegosaimaa.com

19. Thankyou!