Crafting wellness tourism products for sustainable development: Local stakeholders’ perspectives

This study investigates how wellness tourism products in rural destinations integrate community interests to contribute to both visitor well-being and local development. Through a case study approach adopting a local stakeholder perspective, four product types were identified: Base-level, Educational, Holistic, and Altruistic. This categorisation extends earlier tourism product development models that prioritised market competitiveness over community interests. Furthermore, cross-comparison analysis highlights the critical role of spatial product strategies. The study concludes that successful wellness tourism product design necessitates the integration of community inclusivity, cultural involvement, altruism, and strategic spatial planning.