Considerations on spa, spa tourism and some related terms definitions and positioning

This opinion piece was inspired with how several authors, including those whose works were focused on historical perspective of spas and balneology, used the term spa without any definition and/or without any reference to this word’s origin. Therefore, we have compiled the opinions of several authors that we have considered as the most relevant with regard to the etymology, definitions and positioning of the word, respectively the term “spa”, as well as with regard to defining and positioning the related term “spa tourism” and some other related terms relevant to it (i.e. “health tourism”, “medical tourism” and “wellness tourism”). Apart from selected academic authors, we have also considered the opinions of the most relevant umbrella organisations in spa tourism. The aim of this opinion piece is to contribute to an ongoing debate in tourism science related to the lack of consensus in defining the term “spa” and positioning spa tourism.