Other Countries

Spas are not evenly distributed in the world. Although present in some parts of Asia and Africa, they are most common in Europe. The spa culture is well-developed in eastern and southern Europe. Spas did not develop in England, northern Europe, and America for a long time and in fact the trend still continues in the same way even today. Most probably the different climatic conditions have contributed to this uneven distribution.

The spa centers found in England, northern Europe, and America are mostly for resting rather than for therapeutic purposes. In this regard, England spends approximately 1 billion pounds a year (Aydın 2005b). Germany, Italy, and France are the main destinations of thermal tourism in
Europe and moreover in Austria and Switzerland thermal tourism also flourishes. The total the tourist market in Europe. Thermal tourism represents a quite small part of it and contributes in total only 15-17 million tourists per year (Boleti 2006). Some parts of Russia have well-developed spa centers with one in three Russians visiting these centers at least once in a year. Curative spas are common in Russia and other Baltic states. Customers to these centers are mostly from Finland. Bulgaria has a spa history that dates back to the old days and has over 300 spa centers. It has hundreds of thousands of visitors a year. Mediterranean countries such as Tunisia, Morocco, and Israel have also spa centers. In Southeastern Asia (India, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia) spa services are generally offered in very big and luxurious hotels. They are more of resting and self refreshment types rather than therapeutic (Aydın 2005b). Devamı...

Czech Republic and Slovakia

In the Czech Republic, there are 60 spa resorts visited by 460,000 patients annually for an average of 3 weeks each. Czech Republic’s spas have old and wellestablished
therapeutic traditions.
The most important thermal center in Czech Republic Karlsbad Spa (Karlovy Vary). Karlsbad, a town of 60,000 population, has about one million visitors and treats 80,000 patients per year. The town was founded in the 14th century (Lund 2000a). Thermal springs in the town provide treatment of chronic illnesses of the digestive diseases, metabolic disorders, lipid disorders, parodontosis, and diseases of the muscular-skeletal system. Beside thermal facilities, cultural and sporting events allure the guests to remain more days. It is a town of beautiful parks, art-nouveau houses, cafes, hotels, small shops, its traditional glass, porcelain, and Becherovka liquer production (Jitka 1995).

In Slovakia, the most important thermal resources are Diamant Dudince, Piestany, Rajecke and Bardejov springs. Diamant Dudince Thermal Spring is the newest of these thermal resources and located in the south of Slovakia. It is famous for the springs treating muscular, neuropatic and cardiovascular system disorders, chronic rheumatism and spinal cord diseases, post operational or traumatic disorders in the muscular system, heart diseases, high blood pressure, neurological diseases, stress, and fatigue (Lund 2000). 40.000 patients come to seek relief from rheumatic pains annually to Pienstany Spa. At present, the spa can treat 3.000 patients per day, with plans to increase the capacity to 5.000 per year. The spa was known since 1412 (Lund 2000a).

Using natural methods for treatments is known for a long time in these countries. Compared to Hungary and Greece, this country is new in this sector but in the recent years very modern curative spa centers have been established. The two countries have over 60 curative spa centers with an approximate figure of 500,000 visitors. 14-day spa treatment cost ranges from 950-1500 dollars but the prices are generally higher in summer. With a doctor’s prescription, the social health insurance will pay for all or half of the curative services obtained at the spa centers (Aydın 2005b). Devamı...

Italy

In Italy, well-equipped spa resorts number about l80. Some of them are public and others are privately owned. A total of 3 million people spend over 16 million euro for a day in Italian spa towns, but not all of them use the health facilities. Italy is second only to Germany (8 million visitors) in Europe.

The volcanic mountains in various parts of the country are thought of as the main reason for the many spa centers in different parts of the country. With a doctor’s prescription, the social health insurance will pay for all or half of the curative services obtained at the spa centers. Devamı...