Developing Wellness Tourism through Stakeholder Participation in a Secondary Tourism Destination: A Study from Roi Et, Thailand

This study explored local resources and stakeholder participation in developing wellness tourism in Roi Et, a secondary tourism destination in northeastern Thailand. A mixed-methods study employed a three-phase participatory approach, including surveys of potential wellness tourism destinations, a focus group discussion with 10 stakeholders, and a participatory workshop involving 60 participants. The study identified diverse local resources related to physical and mental well-being, cultural experiences, and local wisdom. Through stakeholder collaboration, these resources were integrated into three wellness tourism routes: 1) “Heal Mind, Heal Body: Slowlife Style Roi Et”; 2) “Eat, Enjoy, Explore and Heal in Roi Et”; and 3) “Roi Et: A Must-Visit Secondary City”. The findings highlight the potential of stakeholder participation in transforming local health, cultural, and community resources into wellness tourism experiences. This participatory approach offers a practical example of developing locally grounded wellness tourism initiatives in secondary tourism destinations. Keywords: Wellness tourism; Stakeholder participation; Local wisdom; Secondary tourism destination; Community engagement