To ensure that all stakeholders are optimally involved in the delivery of timely and ade- quate tourist health services, the following are recommended:
First, a software package should be provided to all GPs, alternative therapists and A&E departments, which will enable immediate identification and capture of:
(1) Accident/illness types, which will help to identify the greatest risk factors for tourists visiting specific tourist destinations.
(2) The tourist/host postcode, which provides data on numbers of host versus tourists using the health service. Site/locality of the incident, as knowing the recurring locations of accidents can provide information for the development of timely promotional mate- rial, to be released prior to major holiday periods. This could be in the form of ‘Handy Holiday Hints’, or ‘Reduce the Holiday Risk’ and should be location, activity and cli- mate specific. This information is important to inform local tourist planners, councils and other Government and planning agencies about the high-risk holiday sites.
(4) The treatment required, including whether the tourist/local required transport or admission. This information informs the government and health service providers of the costs associated with the episode of care in treating the tourist. Resources can then be allocated to the service provider to ensure that the services required can be provided (helicopter transport, paramedics and nursing staff, etc.) during peak seasons.
(5) The resources required, including A&E equipment for monitoring and treatment, staff training to ensure competence, bandages and other such consumables. Increased fund- ing, adequate storage and sterilization of equipment and stock, and effective resources management skills will also be required.
Second, dialogue should be established between all stakeholders to ensure the optimal tourist experience for visitors, and optimal service provision from the health industry. This can be achieved by being aware of each other’s roles and responsibilities. It may be better served by more formal communication and liaison.
Home and host authorities, tourism promoters and health professionals all have important responsibilities in making tourism what it is supposed to be:
a life-enriching experience with quality time spent in a quality environment recovering health and building (happy) memories forever. It must be health- oriented and diseases should be kept as far as possible from it (Organization of American States, 1997, p. 6).
The goals in providing tourists with up-to-date travel information, preparation for travel and health and safety issues related to the destination, are to maximize the safety of the tourist and minimize the risks.
References
Cohen, E. (1987). The tourist as victim and protégé of law enforcing agencies. Leisure Studies, 6, 181–198.
Cossar, J. (2003). Travelers’ health: An epidemiological overview. In: J. Wilks, & S.J. Page (Eds), Managing tourist health and safety in the new millennium (pp. 19–33). Oxford: Pergamon.
Evening Standard. (2003). Revealed: Cost of NHS tourism, Evening Standard, 11 August, p. 5.
Grayson, M., & McNeil, J. (1988). Preventive health advice for Australian travelers to Bali. Medical Journal of Australia, 149, 462–466.
Grenfell, R.D., & Ross, K.N. (1992). How dangerous is that visit to the beach? A pilot study of beach injuries. Australian Family Physician, 21, 1145–1148.
Harrison, L., & Husbands, W. (Eds). (1996). Practicing responsible tourism. New York: Wiley.
Jackson, M., White, G., & Schmierer, C. (1993). The return from Xanadu. In: T. Veal, & B. Weiler (Eds), Leisure and tourism research in Australia and New Zealand (pp. 79–93). Sydney: ANZALS.
Jackson, M., White, G., & Schmierer, C. (1996). Tourism experiences within an attributional frame- work. Annals of Tourism Research, 23, 798–810.
Leggat, P.A., Harrison, S.L., Fenner, P.J., Durrheim, D.N., & Swinbourne, A.L. (2005). Health advice obtained by tourists traveling to Magnetic Island: A risk area for ‘Irukandji’ jellyfish in North Queensland, Australia. Travel Medicine and International Health, 3, 27–31.
Messner, S., & Blau, J. (1987). Routine leisure activities and rates of crime: A macro-level analysis.
Social Forces, 65, 1035–1052.
Nicol, J., Wilks, J., & Wood, M. (1996). Tourists as inpatients in Queensland regional hospitals.
Australian Health Review, 19(4), 55–72.
Organization of American States. (1997). Proceedings of the XVII Inter-American Travel Congress, 7–11 April, San Jose, Costa Rica: Author.
Parish, S. (1994). Discover Australia. Brisbane: Steve Parish Publishing.
Pearce, P. (1981). Environmental shock: A study of tourist reactions on two tropical islands. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 11, 268–280.
Rodriguez-Garcia, R. (2001). The health-development link: Travel as a public health issue. Journal of Community Health, 26, 93–112.
Salib, M., & Brinacombe, J. (1994). A survey of emergency medical care at Uluru (Ayers Rock).
Medical Journal of Australia, 161, 693–694.
Sarafino, E. (1998). Health psychology: Biopsychosocial interactions (3rd ed.). New York: Wiley.
Schmierer, C., & Jackson, M. (1995). Travel and health problems: Whom does the tourist blame? In:
R. Shaw (Ed.), Proceedings of the national tourism and hospitality conference (pp. 266–277).
Melbourne: CAUTHE.
Schmierer, C., & Jackson, M. (2003). Tourist travel as a public health issue: A local perspective. In:
R. Braithwaite, & R. Braithwaite (Eds), Riding the wave of tourism and hospitality research.
Proceedings of the CAUTHE conference, Coffs Harbour. CD-ROM. Southern Cross University, Lismore.
Segan, C. (1994). Issues surrounding the development and dissemination of a SunSmart travel brochure. Melbourne: Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer.
Short, A., May, A., & Hogan, C.L. (1991). A three year study in the circumstances behind surf based rescues. NSW beach safety programme report, 99-1. Coastal Studies Unit, University of Sydney, Sydney.
Walker, L., & Page, S.J. (2003). Risks, rights and responsibilities in tourist well-being: Who should manage visitor well-being at the destination? In: J. Wilks, & S.J. Page (Eds), Managing tourist health and safety in the new millennium (pp. 215–235). Oxford: Pergamon .
Walker, S., Wilks, J., Ring, I., Nicol, J., Oldenburg, B., & Mutzelburg, C. (1995). Use of Queensland hospital services by interstate and overseas visitors. Health Information Management, 25(1), 12–15.
White, G., Jackson, M., & Grenfell, R. (1995). International inbound tourists: Types of travel health problems and issues. Paper presented at the 27th annual conference of Public Health Association of Australia, Cairns, 24–27 September.
Wilks, J., & Coory, M. (2002). Overseas visitor injuries in Queensland hospitals: 1996–2000.
Journal of Tourism Studies, 13, 2–8.
Wilks, J., & Grenfell, R. (1997). Travel and health research in Australia. Journal of Travel Medicine, 4, 83–89.
Wilks, J., & Oldenburg, B. (1995). Tourist health: The silent factor in customer service. Australian Journal of Hospitality Management, 2, 13–23.
Wilks, J., & Page, S. (Eds). (2003). Managing tourist health and safety in the new millennium.
Oxford: Pergamon.
Wilks, J., Walker, S., Wood, M., Nicol, J., & Oldenburg, B. (1995a). Remote nursing services at island tourist resorts. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 3, 179–185.
Wilks, J., Walker, S., Wood, M., Nicol, J., & Oldenburg, B. (1995b). Tourist health services at island tourist resorts. Australian Health Review, 18, 45–62.
76