Exploring the Algarve as a health Tourism Destination: Insights from stakeholders [abstract]

Proposal and Originality: Health tourism has emerged as a valuable market due to its economic contribution to travel destinations (Ferreira & Castro, 2020; Fetscherin & Stephano, 2016). The aim of this study is to assess the potential of health tourism in Algarve from the perspective of stakeholders, highlighting the main constraints and opportunities for development. The growth of this niche market lies in its potential to stimulate investment in associated sectors of health infrastructure and tourist facilities, increasing the flow of medical tourists (Barreira & Cesário, 2018; Fisher & Sood, 2014). Methodology: A qualitative methodology was based on 17 semi-structured interviews, collected among local stakeholders of the H&W sector as marketing executives, travel agents, hospitality and spa personnel. Content analysis technique was used for data treatment. The data relate to both the use of the SWOT technique as a research method and an evaluation concerning the tourism potential of the Algarve region of Portugal. Results and Implications: By exploring both the internal resources of the Algarve and the external factors affecting the region, the study identifies the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) related to the development of health tourism. These insights are critical for supporting strategic decision-making processes and enhancing destination planning in Algarve region. The findings also offer contributions for policymakers to understand the factors influencing the success of the health tourism sector in the region, providing a framework for health tourism planning and development. Research Limitations: Research limitations are related to sample size, so the focus on regional stakeholders may limit the findings generalization to other national or international destinations.