Where Does Physician-Assisted Suicide Tourism Fit in the Tourism Discipline?

Abstract

The emerging phenomenon of suicide tourism has aroused intense debate among scholars, especially in terms of defining physician-assisted suicide (PAS). However, the conceptualization of suicide tourism remains unclear. Given relevant concerns, this opinion piece seeks to provide insight into whether PAS should be included in the tourism discipline. PAS tourism is characterized by severe illness, avoidance of pain, and a sense of depression. Ethical, moral, and legal concerns are incongruent with the present definition of tourism; therefore, PAS is argued to have no place in the tourism discipline. Further work is recommended to revise definitions of PAS tourism by employing various research methods and behavioural theories.