The impact of small and medium sized enterprises in the development of health tourism in Macedonia

Abstract

Considering the theoretical approach of studying alternative forms of tourism, this paper main objective is investigating the concept of health tourism as a form of alternative tourism, at the same time discussing specific characteristics of health tourism both at the side of supply and demand. Furthermore, the different aspects should present links between tourism and health, as a structural element of this discussion. In the empirical section of the paper, a practical research is conducted that aims to improve the understanding of the factual situation in light of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs),. Hence, the readiness of enterprises to offer the required services in the segment of health tourism, as well as different related business activities to such, as financing and innovations. In this context the paper confirms the basic hypothesis that the development of health tourism in the country depends upon the presence of small and medium sized enterprises, which are initiators of supply in the sector of health tourism. Based on the results of the survey a concept for the for the further development of health tourism is proposed.

Keywords

• small and medium sized enterprises
• health tourism
• health tourism supply
• entrepreneurs
• needs of tourists