MINING AND METALLURGY INSTITUTE BOR ISSN: 2334-8836 (Štampano izdanje) UDK: 622 ISSN: 2406-1395 (Online)

UDK: 711.455(045)=111 doi:10.5937/mmeb1904047K

Zoran Katanić*, Jelena Katanić**

VALORIZATION OF THE MINERAL AND THERMAL WATER OF AND IN A FUNCTION OF HEALTH TOURISM

Abstract

Valorization of the mineral and thermal water of Kosovo and Metohija in a function of health tour- ism is an important issue for recognizing the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija (AP KiM) as a significant tourist destination. Valorization of the mineral and thermal water in the territory former SFRY, to which Kosovo and Metohija belonged was largely based on the applicable legal regulations in the observed time period. The economic valorization of mineral and thermal water was generally lac- king. The situation changed significantly in recent years in the area of health tourism, which needs yet to get its portion of the budget while competing with the other social areas. Therefore, health tourism itself should become the very source of profit. Valorization of the mineral and thermal mineral water of Kosovo and Metohija should be based on the world criteria that contribute both to the economic deve- lopment and reconciliation process. Furthermore, a part of research in the study paper, the special emphasis has been placed on the identification of sources of thermal and mineral water as a natural attraction in Kosovo and Metohija, elements of tourist valorization and the importance of mineral and thermo mineral water for development the tourist economy in Kosovo and Metohija. Keywords: mineral and thermo-mineral water, spas, valorization, tourist product, health tourism

SUBJECT OF RESEARCH

The chosen research problem is a re- progress of population, considering nu- sult of years of analytical work in the merous current problems in the area Ko- fields of economics, hydrogeology and sovo and Metohija after years of conflict? balneology. As well as the identification of thermal mineral water in Kosovo and GENERAL HYPOTHESIS Metohija, analysis and their definition as a tourist potential and attractiveness and The mineral and thermo-mineral water creating opportunities for their tourist of Kosovo and Metohija in a function of presentation and valorization. The prob- health tourism and as a tourist product are lem of research in this study dealt with the individually and as a whole economically question: How to create the modern tools congruent. The study is based on a hy- that will valorize the mineral and thermo pothesis that the valorization of mineral mineral watering a function of health tou- and thermo mineral water of Kosovo and rism in a way that will contribute to the Metohija contributes to raising the aware- promotion of health tourism as an industry ness of all interested parties about a need branch and overall economic and social to create the tools necessary for their

* College of Professional Medical Studies “Medika”, Belgrade, , [email protected] ** College of Modern Business, Belgrade, Serbia, e-mail: [email protected]

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METHODOLOGY recognition as an attractive, contemporary Considering that the study is of an in- and competitive tourism product. This terdisciplinary character, a characteristic, hypothesis as such is proven by the au- generally accepted methodology in the field thentic statements. of social sciences has been used. The au- thors of the study believe that there is no OBJECTIVE absolutely correct methodology for the field of social research, but that it presents Scientific objective of research is to different ways of viewing the world, mea- gain a knowledge at the level of scientific suring and understanding the social reality. description and classification with the ele- The selection of research methods was ments of scientific explanation. A special carefully performed in accordance with aspect of research is aimed at diagnosing their own experience and research problem. the basic problems evident in the field of The scientific and logistical methods health tourism development in Kosovo and used were: synthesis and deduction analy- Metohija. The scientific objective is re- sis, induction and content analysis. Out of flected in the initial exploration of applica- the general scientific methods, the statisti- tion conditions and adaptation the general cal method and comparative method were economic principles important in the field used. The collecting data survey was con- of tourism management in a context of spe- ducted on the basis of pre-prepared and cific and turbulent relations between people formulated questions. regarding the unresolved political issues. Moreover, it is necessary to present scien- INTRODUCTION tifically the based evidence on comple- mentaty the mineral and thermo mineral Valorization has become a priority issue valorization with function of tourist product under current circumstances at every level, and tourist offer. The practical aim of re- search is to define and regulate the activi- starting from the global to local. The de- ties and measures to be taken in order to veloped countries make great efforts to achieve an adequate level of development valorize the mineral and thermo mineral the health tourism as an important segment water as it contributes to preservation of its in a path of society development. In order essential value, but at the same time em- to achieve this objective, it is necessary to phasizes the increasing importance of investigate objectively, clarify and properly health tourism. Mineral water should prove present all important in the field of health their worth in a way that is understandable tourism development in relation to the mi- to the decision makers. Value means both neral and thermo mineral water in the area the preferences and desire of someone for a of Kosovo and Metohija. specific service at a specific point of time. The practical value of research is re- Movable goods have a market in flected in a proposal of certain practical which their price is defined according to solutions for development the health tou- supply and demand, while the real estate rism, in a way that enables those solutions does not have a market in which its eco- to be adapted and incorporated while re- nomic value can be determined. The total specting the real needs and opportunities economic value consists of the “use va- in a holistic approach to the development lue”, or in the other words the “passive of health tourism. use value” of resource. The value of non-

No. 3-4, 2019 48 Mining & Metallurgy Engineering Bor use (existence value) has emerged as a viewed through the cost of travel and stay in result of numerous debates in the scien- certain properties [6]. tific community. [1] Back in 1967, in his article in the American Economic Review, IDENTIFICATION OF THE John Krutilla proposed a compromise that THERMOMINERAL WATER initiated the desired changes. He empha- SOURCES AS THE NATURAL sized that the economic science should ATTRACTIONS IN KOSOVO adopt a concept that has become known as AND METOHIJA the "existence of value". The concept has been accepted and consequently many The area of Kosovo and Metohija is economists have made or are making ef- characterized by a very complex geological forts to express the value in currency. [2] structure and numerous thermo mineral It is necessary to initiate a process of water and springs where the famous spas economic value assessment in a timely were built: Pećka Ilidža near Peć, Klokot manner that can be compared with the Banja near Vitina, Banjska (Rajska Banja) investment cost of preservation of each near Zvečan, Kmetovska near Gnjilane, good individually. [3] Ugljarska near Gračanica, and Žitinje near Klokot Spa. There are also so-called the ECONOMIC VALORIZATION "wild spa" near Kaljare with a temperature TECHNIQUES of 28.6°C, spa Vuča near Leposavić, so- called Slatina thermo-mineral source of salt Specific valorization techniques are re- water near the village of Slatina, and Kisela quired for determination the total economic spa is near Podujevo. The Smrdan Spa lo- value of mineral and thermo mineral water. cated at the mouth of Sitnica into the River, as well as Glamska Spa near Novi In such cases, it is impossible to use the Brdo, Gatnjanska Spa near Uroševac, De- Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA), which has a čanski Kiseljak located in Dečani, should be significant place in the applied economy. included in this group. The spas are ideal Bedate points out the importance of three places to meet the human recreational methods: hedonic pricing, travel costs and needs. [7] conditional valuation. [4] Pećka Banja - Spa (Ilidža) near Peć is the There are two groups of techniques that most famous spa in Kosovo and Metohija. can be applied in the valorization of mineral There is a number of thermo mineral wate- and thermo mineral water: techniques of ring Banja and its immediate vicinity with discovered preferences, where preferences water temperatures ranging 12-47.5°C. [8] are derived from information collected in Klokot Banja is located in the Binačka the real market; stated preference tech- Morava in place Klokot. Thermo- niques used when information and data are mineral water of Klokot Banja belong to collected directly from consumers through cold, hypo and homeothermal (18-37°C) the use of various questionnaires; tech- containing metasilicic acid (up to 174 mg/l), niques of revealed preferences when the metabolic acid (up to 53 mg/l), value of goods is derived from data on rea- (1.06 mg/l), fluorine (2.4 mg/l), iron (up to 15 mg/l), radium, strontium, etc. Mineral lized transactions in the market; hedonic water from the spring in Klokot Banja be- pricing refers to the analysis of those mar- longs to alkaline water in terms of mineral kets where certain activities have an impact composition. Cold mineral water from one on price; [5] method of travel cost is based of the source contains carbon dioxide, and is on the fact that the value of resources is used for drinking and bottling.

No. 3-4, 2019 49 Mining & Metallurgy Engineering Bor Banjska (Rajska spa) is located on the  Second group - Pećka and Klokot Spas southeastern slopes of Mount Rogozna located in the vicinity of other tourist (1504 m), at 533 m above sea level. The motives water temperature at the springs is:  Third group - other spas 40.1°C, 58.1°C, 28.3°C, 38.4°C. [10] Kmetovska Banja near Gnjilane has THE IMPORTANCE OF THERMO seven springs of thermo mineral and mi- MINERAL WATERFOR neral water. The juvenile water of Kiseli DEVELOPMENT THE TOURIST source (acid source) giving 1 liter/sec was ECONOMY IN KOSOVO AND analyzed algological and its temperature is METOHIJA 27°C. [8] Each country has characteristics that ELEMENTS OF THE TOURIST make it different and typical, and tourism is VALORIZATION OF THE SPAS actually based on that diversity. [11] One of IN KOSOVO AND METOHIJA the basic balneological features of thermo mineral water is their healing function. The geographical position is a key el- Thermal mineral water sources repre- ement of the tourist valorization of the sent the basis of health tourism develop- spa. In doing so, it is necessary to observe ment in Kosovo and Metohija. The im- the geographical location of the spa ac- portance of thermo mineral water is multi- cording to the major communication functional regarding the development of routes, attractive tourist environment and health tourism, because in combination with populated areas. balnotherapy as a special therapeutic disci- The Kosovo Metohija spas have the pline and wellness programs, it influences most favorable position in terms of com- the preservation of population health, recre- munication routes. Also, spas in this area ation, prevention, treatment and rehabilita- have a favorable position towards urban tion. Sources of healing water, with the ex- settlements as the emission areas and to- ploitation of peloids, the use of gases in wards the attractive tourist facilities, i.e. balneological treatment offer a perspective monuments as the tourist motives (Pećka of development the spa tourism. Banja (Spa) is close to the Monastery of The oldest form of tourism is health, the Patriarchate of Peć and Rugova Gorge; but it is not the only one. The spas become Banjska (Rajska Spa) near Zvečan is in city centers, destinations for picnics, ex- the immediate vicinity of Banjska Monas- cursion, cultural-sport events, cultural tery, etc. which can be successfully inte- manifestation and congress tourism, as grated with the tourist offer of spas. well as the tourism for the third age and Namely, a large number of Kosovo transit tourism. [12] Metohija spas are located in the area of Banjska (Rajska Spa) has springs of mountains that form an important natural thermal and healing water that have been motivational basis for the tourism deve- irreversibly flowing into the Ibar River for lopment (Šara Mountains, Prokletije, decades. Its utilization is almost negligi- Rogozna, and ). Based on the ble. Instead of being wasted, this natural overall analysis of the tourist geographic gift could be used to heat up the settle- location, the spas of Kosovo and Metohija ments of Banjska and Zvecan. Geothermal are divided into three groups: or hydrothermal water is a unique source  First group - Banjska (Rajska banja) in of renewable energy because its use in the immediate vicinity of the major healing requires relatively simple and in- communication routes expensive technology.

No. 3-4, 2019 50 Mining & Metallurgy Engineering Bor Many countries use the energy of geo- ational purposes. Globally, the geothermal thermal sources to generate the electricity. sources are mainly used for space heating, The use of geothermal energy and its re- but also for the production of vegetables sources in Kosovo and Metohija is almost in greenhouses, in livestock breeding, in negligible in comparison to its potential. various production processes, etc. The reasons for this situation are unclear, bearing in mind that some sources are the RESEARCH RESULTS best in the region and that the develop- ment of geothermal technology in Europe The following tables provide a detailed has advanced. Unfortunately, the use of analysis of data collected on the potential geothermal water is mainly represented in of Kosovo and Metohija for development the spa treatment and for sports and recre- the spa and health tourism.

Table 1 Number of respondents and percentage per gender Gender Number of respondents Percentage Male 39 52 % Female 36 48% Total 75

The survey covered 75 respondents, women (48%), broken down by the age out of which 39 were men (52%) and 36 group:

Table 2 Number of respondents and percentage per age Age Number of respondents Percentage Up to 25 / / 26-35 14 19.5 % 36-44 22 30.6 % 45-54 25 33.3 % 55 and more 14 18.6 %

Survey covered the respondents of all levels of education:

Table 3 Number of respondents and percentage per level of education Level of education Number of respondents Percentage Primary school 1 1.4 % High school 26 36.1 % Junior College 9 12.5 % Faculty 29 40.3 % Master 5 7 % Master / / PHD 2 2.7 %

No. 3-4, 2019 51 Mining & Metallurgy Engineering Bor The majority of respondents have the point of view of economic impact. higher education in order to provide more [13] meaningful answers to the survey. Con- The next question was whether Kosovo sidering that the cultural tourists are per- and Metohija had an adequate potential for sons with relatively higher education and development the health tourism, and a large above average incomes, this market seg- number of respondents, 86.7%, thought it ment will be increasingly significant from had one.

Table 4 Number of respondents and percentage of question asked

Answer Number of respondents Percentage Yes 65 86.7 % No 6 8 % I do not know 4 5.3 %

When a large number of respondents 24.3%, Winter was asked which of the following elements Ski Center in Brezovica 16.9%, Gazimestan are considered as important for the tourism Memorial Park 12.1%, Gazivode Lake offer of Kosovo and Metohija, they made 13.7%, Rajska Banja (Spa) in Banjska 7.9% up their mind for the sacral sites of the Table 5 Number of answers given and percentage of question asked

Offered elements Number of answers Percentage Sacral sites 46 24.3 % Winter Center Brezovica 32 16.9 % Crkvina, old cemeteries 6 3.1 % and inscriptions Memorial sites 4 2.1 % Rural tourism 16 8.4 % Memorial park Gazimestan 23 12.1 % Lake Gazivode 26 13.7 % Tradition, folklore and 11 5.8 % gastronomy Rajska banja in Banjska 15 7.9 % Natural sites 9 4.7 % Old villas 1 0.5 % others 1 0.5 %

No. 3-4, 2019 52 Mining & Metallurgy Engineering Bor Table 6 Number of answers given and percentage of question asked Offered elements for enhancement of Number of giver Percentage the cultural tourism offer answers Health and spa tourism 39 23.2 % Organization of gastronomic events 7 4.1 % Creation of cultural routes 13 7.7 % Linking the cultural tourism offer of Kosovo and Metohija with the offer of the surrounding countries, 19 11.2 % which have rich cultural and historical heritage Organization of greater number of events 19 11.2 % throughout the year Transit tourism 5 2.9 % Collaboration of tourism providers and cultural institutions aimed at introduction of innovations into 11 6.5 % the existing cultural tourism offer Legal regulation on the preservation, protection of 12 7.1 % sites of cultural and historical heritage Complementing the cultural tourism offer with the additional amenities such as active holidays, sports 9 5.3 % and recreation, spa and wellness services Monastery tours 32 19 %

According to the respondents, the most imeasurable importance in this process. This significant offered elements that would con- process will not be easy or straightforward tribute to the improvement of tourism offer due to many undesirable circumstances, of of Kosovo and Metohija are the health and which, above all, are the political instability spa tourism with 23.2%, monastery tours and problem of securing the necessary fi- with 19% of the given answers. nancial resources provided for this purpose. The valorization process is an interdiscipli- CONCLUSION nary work. This important task should be done by a group of experts of various pro- This study has been based on the hy- files. The valorization process should be pothesis that the valorization of mineral and carried out with a particular sensitivity in the thermal waters of Kosovo and Metohija in territory of Kosovo and Metohija given the the function of health tourism contributes to centuries-old conflict between Serbs and raising awareness of all interested parties Albanians. Expectations that the valorize- about the need to create tools (models) ne- tion process can be done in the short term cessary for their recognition as an attractive, are unrealistic. modern and competitive tourism product. The conclusion is that the valorization This hypothesis is proven by the realization process is a continuous, dynamic process of research sub problems. The basic hypot- and that it can never be completed in its hesis indicated the need for valorization entirety. The survey has shown the aspira- process to be envisioned and created in such tions of respondents to visit a tourist desti- a way as to avoid the popularization of mi- nations that have spiritual contents, natural neral and thermo mineral water individually beauty. The results of research indicate that due to ethnic groups living in the territory of a systematic approach to organizing the Kosovo and Metohija. Valorization should tourist offer and supply of additional tourist be designed in a way that takes into account facilities is needed in order to provide tou- numerous indicators. The experience of de- rists with a high quality experience during veloped countries in valorization is of their stay in Kosovo and Metohija. It should

No. 3-4, 2019 53 Mining & Metallurgy Engineering Bor be remembered that the new tourism pro- rentiation in Pure Competition. Journal ducts are aimed to reduce the marketing of Political Economy 82: 34-55. costs. Modern technologies and improve- [6] Eftec (2005) Valuation of the Historic ment of customer service in this process are Environment: The Scope for Using indispensable. Results of Valuation Studies in the Health tourism for the development of Appraisal and Assessment of Heritage- Kosovo and Metohija is very important. In a Related Projects and Programs: period of stagnation, significant economic Executive Summary London: crisis and certain disappointment of popula- [7] Jovičić D., (2008), State and Prospects tion with a high unemployment rate and for the Development of Spa Tourism poor economic situation, every step aimed at in Serbia, Bulletin of the Serbian offering a greater employment and better Geographical Society, Volume living and working conditions means pro- LXXXVIII-No. 4, Belgrade, page 3-18 gress towards the sustainable development [8] Cvijan M., (1987), Algological Typifi- of society. The valorization of mineral and cation of Thermo Mineral Water in thermo mineral water is one of the most SR Serbia, Bulletin of the Institute of important tasks on this path that from Botany and Botanical Gardens, the past to the future that can and should be University of Belgrade, Volume XXI, a significantly different. Belgrade, page 72 [9] Maćejka M., Đorđević T., Klokot REFERENCES Banja, (2012-2013), Globus 37-38 Journal of Methodological and Dida- [1] Nelson R. H. (1997). Does "Existence ctic Issues in Geography, Belgrade, Value" Exist?: Environmental Econo- page 41 mics Enriches on Religion. Indepen- [10] Milentijević G., Nedeljković B., (2010), dent Review, 1(4), 499+. Retrieved Thermal Mineral Water of Banjska, from http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p Potentiality, Quality, Possibility of Use, =AONE&sw=w&u=ussd&v=2.1&it=r Mining Works, No. 1, Committee for &id=GALE%7CA19918181&asid=b3 Underground Mining, Mining and 79f1d2b22f306b7029b99707ca8a82 Metallurgy Institute Bor, Bor, page 151 [2] M. Robert, and R. Carson. (1989), [11] Stojanović T., Čerović S., (2008), Using Surveys to Value Public Goods: Importance of Gastronomic Offer for The Contingent Valuation Method. the Development of Rural Tourism in Washington, D.C.: Resources for the Serbia, Proceedings, Faculty of Future. Portney, Paul R. (1994). The Geography, University of Belgrade, Contingent Valuation Debate: Why Vol. LVI, Belgrade, page 165 Economists Should Care. Journal of [12] Momirović D., (2007), Thermo- Economic Perspectives 8 (Fall): 3-17. Mineral Springs in the Function of [3] Katanić Z. Valorization of Cultural Health Tourism Development in the Values of Kosovo and Metohija in Function of Tourist Offer, Doctoral Timok Region, Timok Medical Dissertation, Singidunum University, Journal, Journal of the Branch of the Belgrade, 2017, p.129 Serbian Medical Association Zajecar, [4] Bedate A, Herrero L.C., Sanz J.A. Volume 32, No. 4, page205-215 (2004), Economic Valorization of the [13] Hadžić O., Stojaković G., Herman- Cultural Heritage: Application to Four Milinković K., Vanić T., Ivanović I., Case Studies in Spain. Journal of Cultural Tourism, Faculty of Natural Cultural Heritage, Volume 5, Issue 1, Science and Matematics, Department pp. 101-111. of Geography, Tourism and Hotel [5] Rosen S. (1974), Hedonic Prices and Management, University of Novi Sad, Implicit Markets: Production Diffe- Novi Sad, 2005

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