The aim of WelDest is to create a development framework to be used by public bodies, destination management organizations and private companies, when developing holistic health and well- being destinations (H & WB). The project Health and Well-being in Tourism Destination (WelDest) combines the expertise of 6 Higher Education Institutes, 12 industry and 18 associate partners from Austria, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Hungary and the UK. These countries represent different stages of development in health and well-being tourism. The objectives are: 1) To outline, via research, the H&WB service supply, resources, staff competencies and elements at a destination appreciated by locals and tourists.2. To identify or strengthen the potential for business opportunities in tourism and to foster innovation around H&WB based services and destination development.3. To contribute to lifelong learning by the achieving the following outcomes:a) An electronic handbook “Keys to developing a holistic health & well-being tourism destination”, including a self-assessment and development tool for destinations and course design, to be used at tertiary level and continuing education for the industry.b) A blog providing industry, academia and citizens with new opportunities to share their knowledge on H&WB topics.We address many needs, challenges and EU communications, e.g.• Tourism communication (2010, 352) on sustainable, high-quality tourism and diversification of destinations • Changing demographics and increasing concern for health creating demand for quality health and well-being services• Lack of European wide understanding of what constitutes a health promoting destination and educational material on the subjectWelDest addresses the above mentioned with an interdisciplinary, transnational approach by creating knowledge transfer and learning material across the EU, to enhance competitiveness and employability of H&WB tourism.