20.E. Round table: Health tourist and health promotion: introducing the European Charter for Sustainable Health Tourism

Abstract

Abstract The goal of this workshop is to bring health tourism (HT) to the public health perspective, raise awareness for viable HT in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), while introducing the “European Charter for Sustainable Health Tourism”! Mobility and the EU open market, have incremented a new trend in the European global economy, based in HT. In 2017 of the general tourism in the EU28, 5% was due to HT. It is expected that this share will increase in the near future. The concept of HT needs to be refurbished since it does not represent only medical tourism (that is the object of an increasing set of regulations among member states) but it includes also wellbeing and wellness (e.g with spa and quality of life tourism) that is not scrutinized by treaties, international or even national regulatory agencies. Citizens, therefore, play a major role in the marked demand of HT, either by being active actors in the procurement of services or commodities (Prosumers), or by being passive consumers (Passumers) of a strategic market not always aligned with well-being and quality of life. Therefore, the need for a “European Charter for Sustainable Health Tourism” is a set of references to increase health literacy about HT and its real impact in public health. Moreover, the aim of this workshop is to study opportunities, offer examples and discuss on how to develop, evolve and improve health promotion practices by actions taken at the HT setting. First we want to invite the audience to discuss HT from the salutogenesis perspective; In a second moment an interregional point of view of the Silver Economy will frame the conceptual framework on HT; a third presentation will look at a particular case of HT and public health and the added value of multilateralism; from here the participants will be invited to consider the particular case of Health and Wellness tourism in Sicily; the final presenters will look at HT in the perspective of the Reference Sites Collaborative Network. This workshop will use interactive methodologies of participation so that the audience will be actively involved in the discussion and wants to offer a forum for public health researchers, practitioners and policy-makers interested in HT and methodological insights and will allow discussing results, facilitate exchange, and support further synergies between countries. Key messages The goal of this workshop is to raise awareness for sustainable health tourism in the context of the SDG, by proposing the adoption of the first “European Charter for Sustainable Health Tourism”. Explore how in European Countries (study cases) health tourism answers health promotion principles for a more sustainable society.