Social Reconstruction toward Wellness Tourism Development: Pivotal Roles of Woman Empowerment and Participation

Abstract

Drawing on feminist ecology theory, this paper explores how woman empowerment (i.e., psychological, social, political, and economic aspects) may lead to social reconstruction toward wellness tourism development in Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, the existing paper examines the mediating role of women's participation in the development of wellness tourism. This paper employs an empirical quantitative method to analyse the interrelations among these variables, using 438 responses from Saudi and non-Saudi women. Findings confirmed that women's participation in wellness tourism development was partially mediated in the nexuses between four woman empowerment aspects and social reconstruction toward wellness tourism development. Results showed that women's initiatives in wellness tourism (e.g., holistic retreats, healing centres, and eco-tourism) generate community resilience, contribute to gender equity, and sustain heritage. This paper presents new insights into policy development, sustainable tourism planning, and gender-sensitive economic reform in the Saudi context.