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Relaxation in transit : creating wellness spaces in Vancouver International Airport Oude-Reimerink, Carleigh

Abstract

This Professional Report explores the planning of wellness spaces in places of transit, particularly airports. The purpose of this report is to examine the benefits of dedicated wellness spaces in airports and determine if there is a demand for a passenger wellness space at Vancouver International Airport (YVR). The research draws attention to airports and stress, indicating that around 50 percent of travellers experience some degree of anxiety while travelling via air (Capafóns et al., 1999). Supplementary data collection suggests that practicing yoga lowers stress levels and anxiety, along with reducing blood pressure, strengthening the immune system, and relaxing the body. By marrying these topics (air travel stress and yoga), the topic of the provision of wellness spaces in airports is explored. Research from airports that have implemented wellness spaces, in both the United States and Europe, shows an ample amount of praise and success for providing these spaces as an amenity to travellers. Case study data from a survey at YVR reveals that about 50 percent of people would be willing to use a dedicated wellness space in the terminal(s) at YVR. A focus group with YVR employees showed high levels of excitement, and provided logistics and further considerations for the implementation of such a space. Lastly, a terminal walk indicates that there are currently 10 locations available for a wellness space in the terminal(s) at YVR. The report draws from both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analyses, including information from other worldclass airports. This data provides evidence and supports the recommendation that YVR consider the provision of a complimentary wellness space in its terminal(s).

Item Metadata

Title
Relaxation in transit : creating wellness spaces in Vancouver International Airport
Creator
Oude-Reimerink, Carleigh
Supervisor
Angeles, Leonora C.
Date Issued
2016-05-27
Description
This Professional Report explores the planning of wellness spaces in places of transit, particularly airports. The purpose of this report is to examine the benefits of dedicated wellness spaces in airports and determine if there is a demand for a passenger wellness space at Vancouver International Airport (YVR). The research draws attention to airports and stress, indicating that around 50 percent of travellers experience some degree of anxiety while travelling via air (Capafóns et al., 1999). Supplementary data collection suggests that practicing yoga lowers stress levels and anxiety, along with reducing blood pressure, strengthening the immune system, and relaxing the body. By marrying these topics (air travel stress and yoga), the topic of the provision of wellness spaces in airports is explored. Research from airports that have implemented wellness spaces, in both the United States and Europe, shows an ample amount of praise and success for providing these spaces as an amenity to travellers. Case study data from a survey at YVR reveals that about 50 percent of people would be willing to use a dedicated wellness space in the terminal(s) at YVR. A focus group with YVR employees showed high levels of excitement, and provided logistics and further considerations for the implementation of such a space. Lastly, a terminal walk indicates that there are currently 10 locations available for a wellness space in the terminal(s) at YVR. The report draws from both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analyses, including information from other worldclass airports. This data provides evidence and supports the recommendation that YVR consider the provision of a complimentary wellness space in its terminal(s).
Genre
Graduating Project
Type
Text
Language
eng
Series
University of British Columbia. SCARP Graduating Projects
Date Available
2016-08-22
Provider
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
DOI
10.14288/1.0303155
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/2429/58200
Affiliation
Applied Science, Faculty of; Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of
Peer Review Status
Unreviewed
Scholarly Level
Graduate
Rights URI
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
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Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International