The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of Macao Polytechnic University hosted a research seminar entitled, "The Concept of Wellness Tourism and its Contribution to Sustainable Development"

Chair Professor Carson Jenkins, an international tourism scholar, delivered a research seminar.

The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of Macao Polytechnic University invited Chair Professor Carson Jenkins, an international tourism scholar, to deliver a seminar entitled, “The Concept of Wellness Tourism and its Contribution to Sustainable Development”, in order to share with faculty members and postgraduate students from master’s and Ph.D. programs his many years of research experience in tourism policy planning as well as insights into wellness tourism. Such an intellectual sharing contributes to MPU’s research capital and its international influence in the field of wellness tourism. The seminar was chaired by the Associate Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of MPU, Dr. Cora Un In Wong.

Professor Jenkins is Emeritus Professor of International Tourism at Strathclyde University, Glasgow, Scotland and Visiting Professor at the International School of Cultural Tourism, Hangzhou City University. His research centers on tourism policy and planning, as well as the roles of different forms of tourism in influencing the development mechanisms of developing countries. His research findings and publications have thus expanded theoretical understandings and provided practical implications.

During the seminar, Professor Jenkins presented his rich experience and academic achievement in researching wellness tourism.  This was followed by an in-depth discussion of the concept of wellness tourism, the taxonomy of wellness tourism, and how wellness strategies can contribute to sustainable development at the national, corporate and individual levels. He argued that “wellness”, as a relatively new concept, centers on reshaping one’s healthy lifestyle via travelling. “Wellness tourism” has shown itself to be a fast-growing market in both domestic and international tourism patterns, and in its various forms of manifestation wellness tourism shares features that are similar to those found in other forms of tourism, yet at the same time possessing unique and compelling motivational elements.

Professor Jenkins has provided new research perspectives to the audience. During the concluding interactive session, he had an in-depth discussion with faculty members and students on topics related to wellness tourism, Eco-tourism, healing tourism and sustainable tourism, among others. His insights and expertise have contributed to MPU’s research capital grounded in wellness tourism and sustainable development, in particular regarding the latest research hotspots in the field. There were some 60 participants at the research seminar, including the Associate Dean of the Faculty, Dr. Cora Un In Wong, faculty members and postgraduate students.