Teixeira, FranciscaFassarela, AnaSousa, AldaCosta, João PedroAntunes, Joaquim2024-03-202024-03-202024Teixeira, F., Fassarella, A., Sousa, A., Costa, J., & Antunes, J. (2024). Perception of the image of thermal spas in Portugal. In Martins, C., Martins, M., Pais, C., & Silva, E. (Eds), International Tourism Congress 2023: Book of extended abstracts, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança Publisher, 16-18, ISBN: 978-972-745-334-4.978-972-745-334-4http://hdl.handle.net/10400.19/8353The image of destinations is of great importance in the process of developing tourism for a location, acting not only as a way of differentiating itself from its potential competitors, but, mainly, as an attempt to provide economic support for the sustainable development of the destination (Chagas, 2009). The spa sector in Portugal assumes a growing importance in regions with low population density, where most of the resorts are located, as it is sometimes the main employer in the region (Hofer, et al. 2012; Costa & Antunes, 2022). Thus, the main objective of this study is to evaluate the determinants of the image of a thermal destination in Portugal, in order to improve or (re)position the image of the destination efficiently.engTourismImageHealth and wellness tourismThermal spasconference object