Systematic literature review of publications on dolphin assisted therapy in the context of health tourism

The aim of the research is to systematically review publications on dolphin assisted therapy in the context of health tourism. The study has been conducted to understand the status of dolphin assisted therapy, a significant subfield of health tourism, in the scientific literature and to identify prominent findings. Dolphin assisted therapy is a unique therapeutic method, particularly used in the rehabilitation processes of individuals with various health issues. This review aims to compile existing information on the subject systematically, evaluating the methodological approaches, findings, and recommendations of the publications. The research employed a qualitative research method, adopting the systematic literature review model as the research design. The research sample consists of 6 articles, 2 reports, 1 conference paper, and 1 book chapter. In the selection of studies included in the research, searches were conducted on YÖK National Thesis Center, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. The search process was conducted in line with the research purpose, including studies that meet the criteria using the keywords "dolphin therapy" and "dolphin-assisted therapy." Research conducted in accordance with the objectives of the examined publications generally focuses on comprehensive topics such as human-animal interaction, animal rights in the tourism industry, and health. All the examined studies have adopted the qualitative research method. The interview form has been the most frequently used tool with a rate of 27%, followed by the review form and camera with rates of 18%. According to the examined publications, it is observed that tourist activities involving dolphins reveal significant factors influencing tourist's demographic profiles and perceptions. However, the lack of transparency in the sector poses challenges for genuine analysis. Concerns about the negative effects of interactions with dolphins on health and the living conditions of captive dolphins may influence tourists to be sensitive to ethical standards. Keywords: Health Tourism, Dolphin Assisted Therapy, Systematic Literature Review