The use of natural geothermal springs in the treatment of illness and the promotion of wellness forms the foundation for a discussion of the development and growth of health and wellness tourism in this book. A range of perspectives are explored, including usage, heritage, management, technology, environmental and cultural features, and marketing.

Patricia Erfurt-Cooper lectures in tourism resource management at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in Japan. Her research interests include geothermal resources for human use and geotourism in volcanic and geothermal environments with a focus on risk management.