Mapping the landscape of health tourism: a bibliometric review and its alignment with the SDGs

Abstract

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Health has long motivated travel and remains increasingly relevant today. Tourism managers recognise its critical role in destination growth, revenue generation, and mitigating seasonality. Health tourism, in particular, has seen rapid growth, enhancing quality of life and wellbeing. This study employs bibliometric and co-word analyses to examine health tourism trends and their alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The research conducts a comprehensive bibliometric review of 376 articles published between 2014 and 2024, identifying key themes in health tourism. A strategic diagram highlights thematic clusters: motor themes like organisation, management, and attitudes towards health; basic themes such as tourism, marketing, and medical tourism; well-developed themes including destination trust, motivational factors, and culture; and emerging themes like wellness and wellness tourism. This study contributes by identifying thematic clusters that structure health tourism literature and outlining future research trends. It underscores the sector's alignment with SDGs, suggesting that integrating sustainability principles into health tourism strategies can foster inclusive growth, environmental stewardship, and improved health outcomes for communities and visitors. This integration positions health tourism as a vital contributor to global sustainability efforts.