The Structure of Well-Being and Interaction with Visitors among Residents in Fully or Partially Depopulated Areas

－Towards Establishing New Health Tourism－

Abstract

The arrival of a super-aged society has significantly exacerbated issues such as labor shortages and rising healthcare and nursing care costs. Furthermore, the maintenance of community cohesion and interpersonal connections is becoming increasingly difficult, hindering the formation of social capital. One potential solution to these societal challenges is the creation of tourism that contributes to the well-being of local residents, with a focus on the principles of health tourism. This study aims to clarify the theoretical framework through which health tourism can enhance well-being, specifically by structuring the components of happiness among local residents. Employing social management system theory, this research involved the development of a logic model for the well-being of local residents (particularly older adults) and the visualization of a cognitive map related to their interactions. The study also achieved results in classifying interaction patterns between visitors and local residents for the implementation of health tourism.