Abstract
<jats:p>The present study aims to examine the level of awareness regarding the physical and mental health benefits of nature-based health tourism among respondents in the selected study area. To gather qualitative insights, six focus group discussions were conducted, each comprising six participants. Initially, 28 relevant attributes were identified, which were later refined to 19 through consensus-building during the discussions. Among these, 10 attributes were related to physical health benefits, while 9 pertained to mental health benefits associated with nature-based health tourism. A structured methodological approach was employed to assess the perception of these attributes, using a weighted mean technique based on responses collected through a 5-point Rensis Likert-type scale. In this scale, responses were assigned weights from 0 to 4, with “4" indicating complete agreement and “0" indicating complete disagreement. The analysis revealed a higher level of awareness among urban respondents compared to their rural counterparts across the identified attributes. The relatively lower awareness in rural areas may be linked to lifestyle patterns that do not emphasize preventive or holistic health practices. These findings highlight a significant gap in awareness, particularly among rural populations, regarding the potential benefits of engaging with nature-based health tourism. While awareness alone does not equate to actual participation, it serves as a necessary precursor. The insights gained from this study offer valuable implications for stakeholders – both service providers and recipients – seeking to enhance the visibility and adoption of nature-based health tourism as a complementary approach to health and well-being.</jats:p>