Water, health and well-being, and tourism: analysis of a triangular relationship in Portugal

Abstract

The relationship between water, health, and well-being has been a topic of interest since ancient times. When combined with tourism, the term health and well-being tourism is often applied, but this relationship is more complex. Water in its various forms, such as oceans, seas, rivers, and reservoirs, provides a basis for activities that positively impact human physical and mental health. This concept of blue tourism emerged, aiming to assess whether people’s relationship with water and its impacts on their health and well-being constitute tourist attraction factors and if these can be monetised through the development of blue spaces. A survey was conducted, obtaining 2930 valid responses, to assess the relationship between proximity and contact with water and the health and well-being of individuals. The data collected revealed that the presence of water in visited areas influences the type of activities undertaken, and there is a strong conviction that blue spaces positively impact health and mental well-being. This empirical study reinforces the theoretical construction around blue tourism and blue space, providing information for planning and developing tourism in blue spaces based on this intense, multidimensional relationship between water, health, and well-being.