This interdisciplinary research opportunity addresses the growing intersection between wellness tourism and environmental restoration, focusing on scientifically validating the health benefits of nature-based interventions. The project leverages the Algarve’s unique position as a leading wellness tourism destination with diverse Mediterranean ecosystems to conduct rigorous research on forest bathing, restorative agriculture, and their psychological benefits. The research will employ mixed-methods approaches combining physiological measurements (stress hormones, cardiovascular markers, immune function) with standardized psychological assessments to quantify restoration effects. Field studies will be conducted across various natural environments including coastal forests, agricultural landscapes, and rural settings, allowing for comprehensive analysis of differential restoration impacts. The project aims to develop evidence-based protocols that can inform sustainable tourism practices while promoting both visitor wellbeing and environmental conservation. Collaboration with international institutions will ensure methodological rigor and broad applicability of findings. The research addresses critical gaps in understanding how specific natural environments and structured activities contribute to psychological restoration, stress reduction, and overall wellbeing. Expected outcomes include standardized intervention protocols, policy recommendations for sustainable wellness tourism development, and innovative measurement frameworks that can be applied globally. The project’s interdisciplinary nature, combining expertise in environmental psychology, tourism studies, public health, and environmental science, positions it to make significant contributions to both academic knowledge and practical applications in the rapidly growing wellness tourism sector.
Guest stay data, partner-led wellness sessions, NPS scores, and post-stay satisfaction surveys capturing wellbeing metrics.
With consent, guests contribute before-and-after wellbeing data, making them active research participants.
