Hellenic Open University
Master in Business Administration (ΜΒΑ)
Postgraduate Dissertation
"Exploitation and effect of natural and therapeutical thermal resource in the context of tourism development in the area of Trikala."
Vissarion Gkoutzamanis
Supervisor: Eleni Gaki
Patras, Greece, June, 2020
© Hellenic Open University, 2017 The content of this thesis/dissertation along with its results is owned by the Hellenic Open University and his/her author, where each of them has the sole and exclusive right to use, reproduce, and publish it (totally or partially) for educational or research purposes, with the obligation to make reference to the thesis's title, the author's name and to the Hellenic Open University where the thesis/dissertation was written.
"Exploitation and effect of natural and therapeutical thermal resource in the context of tourism development in the area of
Trikala."
Vissarion Gkoutzamanis
Supervising Committee
Supervisor: Co-Supervisor: Eleni Gaki Ekaterini Kokkinou Assistant Professor, University of the Aegean Associate Professor, H.A.A.
Patras, Greece, June, 2020
"Acknowledgments" I would like to thank the following people, without whom I would not have been able to complete this research, and without whom I would not have made it through my master's degree! The tutors of every module of the MBA program of Hellenic Open University for their support and their efforts to transmit as much knowledge they could, given the limited time they had at their disposal. Special thanks to my supervisor Dr. Eleni Gaki whose support, guidance, and knowledge into the subject matter constituted an enormous boost on my confidence for the conduction of this research. The accommodation businesses of the tourism sector in Trikala, who took time to return surveys and allowed me to have decent content for my dissertation. My colleagues at Lidl Hellas, who provided me with support and compassion to all my stresses and anxiety during the last three years of study. My parents and my brothers for emotional support during my studies for my MBA degree and the compilation of this dissertation. Finally, my biggest thanks to my fiancé Anna for her full support, without which I would not be able to reach the end of this challenging but also invaluable path of study and education.
Postgraduate Dissertation 1 Abstract
The subject of this dissertation is one first look and approach at the suitability and potential of the area of Trikala for the development of spa and wellness tourism, on the occasion of the existence of a certified thermal spring on the broader area (Rizoma). The dissertation also studies the tourism development of the city that can be succeeded by the exploitation of the thermal resource through the interaction with the existing tourism of the area, either alternative or classical massive tourism. New trends worldwide inextricably link the development of tourism with the development of alternative forms of tourism. Health and wellness tourism clearly account for the bulk of it. In the context of these trends, the attractiveness of the Trikala prefecture for the development of health and wellness tourism is examined, initially recording the main characteristics of significant thermal/spa centers of Greece and Europe. Then, in order to better understand the elements that compose the alternative tourism and the potential wellness tourism of Trikala, a research was carried out in hotels and accommodation facilities in the area, guided by the alternative tourism and the utilization of the thermal resource. The data resulting from the above research are examined qualitatively and quantitatively in order to draw useful conclusions regarding the exploitation of the thermal resource and how it will contribute to the tourism and general development of the region. The conclusions of the above research serve to formulate and propose a model of cooperation between the existing regional accommodation facilities with the potential future health and wellness center in order to increase tourist traffic and economic development of the area.
Keywords
Thermal resource, spa tourism, health tourism, wellness tourism, thermal spring, thermal source, alternative forms of tourism, sustainable development, exploitation of thermal resource, thermal center, spa center
Postgraduate Dissertation 2
Περίληψη
Αντικείμενο της παρούσας διπλωματικής αποτελεί μια πρώτη μελέτη και προσέγγιση της καταλληλότητας και δυνατότητας της περιοχής των Τρικάλων για ανάπτυξη Ιαματικού Τουρισμού και Τουρισμού Ευεξίας, με αφορμή την ύπαρξη πιστοποιημένης ιαματικής πηγής στην ευρύτερη περιοχή (Ρίζωμα). Επίσης η εργασία ερευνά την τουριστική ανάπτυξη της περιοχής που δύναται να επιφέρει η εκμετάλλευση του ιαματικού πόρου μέσα από την αλληλεπίδραση με τον υπάρχον τουρισμό της περιοχής, είτε εναλλακτικού είτε παραδοσιακού τύπου. Οι νέες τάσεις παγκοσμίως συνδέουν άρρηκτα την ανάπτυξη του τουρισμού με την ανάπτυξη εναλλακτικών μορφών τουρισμού, με το μεγαλύτερο κομμάτι αυτού να κατέχει ο τουρισμός υγείας και ευεξίας. Στα πλάισια αυτών των τάσεων εξετάζεται η ελκυστικότητα της περιοχής των Τρικάλων για την ανάπτυξη τουρισμού υγείας και ευεξίας, αρχικά καταγράφωντας κύρια χαρακτηριστικά σημαντικών ιαματικών κέντρων της Ελλάδας και της Ευρώπης. Έπειτα για την καλύτερη κατανόηση των στοιχείων που συνθέτουν τον εναλλακτικό τουρισμό και τον εν δυνάμει ιαματικό τουρισμό των Τρικάλων, υπήρξε έρευνα σε ξενοδοχεία και καταλλύματα της περιοχής, με γνώμονα τον εναλλακτικό τουρισμό και την αξιοποίηση του ιαματικού πόρου. Τα δεδομένα που προκύπτουν από την παραπάνω έρευνα εξετάζονται ποιοτικά και ποσοτικά με σκοπό την εξαγωγή χρήσιμων συμπερασμάτων σχετικά με την αξιοποίηση του ιαματικού πόρου και πως αυτή θα συνεισφέρει στην τουριστική αλλά και γενικότερη ανάπτυξη της περιοχής. Τα συμπεράσματα της παραπάνω έρευνας χρησιμεύουν, εν συνεχεία, στη διατύπωση και πρόταση ενός μοντέλου συνεργασίας μεταξύ των υπαρχόντων καταλυμμάτων της περιοχής με το μελλοντικό ιαματικό κέντρο υγείας και ευεξίας με σκοπό την αύξηση της τουριστικής κίνησης και την οικονομική ανάπτυξη της περιοχής.
Λέξεις – Κλειδιά
ιαματικός πόρος, ιαματικός τουρισμός, τουρισμός υγείας, τουρισμός ευεξίας, ιαματική πηγή, ιαματικό κέντρο, εναλλακτικές μορφές τουρισμού, βιώσιμη ανάπτυξη, εκμετάλλευση ιαματικού πόρου
Postgraduate Dissertation 3 Table of Contents
Abstract ...... 2 Περίληψη...... 3 Table of Contents ...... 4 List of Tables ...... 6 List of Figures ...... 6 List of Abbreviations & Acronyms ...... 7 Introduction ...... 8 1. Literature Review ...... 10 1.1 Tourism: Definitions ...... 10 1.2 Alternative Forms of Tourism ...... 12 1.2.1 Maritime Tourism...... 13 1.2.2 Health Tourism ...... 14 1.2.3 Religious Tourism ...... 14 1.2.4 Agrotourism ...... 14 1.2.5 Wine Tourism ...... 15 1.2.6 Sports Tourism ...... 15 1.2.7 Ecotourism ...... 16 1.2.8 Adventure Trips and activities as tourism motivation ...... 16 1.2.9 Conference Tourism ...... 18 1.2.10 Geotourism and Cultural Tourism (Arts) ...... 18 1.2.11 Social Tourism and Family Tourism as sub-categories of tourism ...... 19 1.2.12 Wellness and Medical Tourism ...... 19 1.3 Sustainable Tourism Development and its Benefits ...... 22 1.4 General conditions for the application of regional Alternative Tourism ...... 25 2. Thermal Centers and Thermal Resources ...... 26 2.1 General characteristics ...... 26 2.2 Thermal centers and springs in Greece ...... 27 2.3 Thermal centers/Spa centers in Europe ...... 35 2.4 Thermal Resource of Trikala ...... 41 2.5 Relationship between Thermal Tourism and Health tourism ...... 43 2.6 International trends in Health tourism ...... 44 2.7 Impact of Wellness Tourism on Regional Growth ...... 47 3. The city of Trikala ...... 51 3.1 General characteristics ...... 51 3.2 Sights ...... 52 3.3 Museums ...... 55 3.4 Alternative tourism in Trikala ...... 57 3.5 SWOT Analysis of Trikala ...... 57 4. Research Methodology and Results ...... 59 4.1 Purpose of the research ...... 59 4.2 Research methodology ...... 60 4.3 Data analysis ...... 61 4.4 Discussion of results ...... 71 4.5 Proposed model that meets the tourism development of the region ...... 76
Postgraduate Dissertation 4 4.6 Potential problems of exploitation of the Thermal Resource in the prefecture of Trikala ...... 79 5. Conclusion ...... 80 5.1 Summary ...... 80 5.2 Further conclusions ...... 81 5.3 Limitations of the research ...... 82 5.4 Proposals for further research ...... 82 Bibliography ...... 83 Appendix A: Questionnaire ...... 86 Appendix B: ...... 95 1. Location of thermal resource ...... 95 2. Correlations ...... 96
Postgraduate Dissertation 5 List of Tables
Table 1: List of Greece’s thermal springs and the treatment they are recommended for. ... 34
List of Figures
Figure 1: Tamina thermal pool ...... 36 Figure 2: The Gainsborough Bath Spa ...... 38 Figure 3: Therme Erding ...... 41 Figure 4: Global Wellness Economy ...... 47 Figure 5: Global Market Size of Wellness...... 48 Figure 6: The Osman Shah Mosque ...... 53 Figure 7: The Central Bridge of Trikala ...... 54 Figure 8: The statue of Asclepius ...... 54 Figure 9: St. Stephens’s Monastery...... 54 Figure 10: Holy Trinity Monastery...... 54 Figure 11: Paleokarya Bridge...... 55 Figure 12: Matsopoulos Mill (Mill of the elves) ...... 56 Figure 13: Tsitsani Museum ...... 56 Figure 14: Years of professional activity in the tourism sector ...... 61 Figure 15: Categories that most visitors of the wider area of Trikala belong to ...... 62 Figure 16: Area’s tourism seasonality ...... 62 Figure 17: Degree of developed alternative tourism in Trikala ...... 63 Figure 18: Developed alternative forms of tourism in Trikala ...... 63 Figure 19: Degree of supporting infrastructures of alternative tourism in Trikala ...... 64 Figure 20: Offered wellness services at the facilities of the inquired owners ...... 64 Figure 21: Knowledge related to the existence of thermal resource in Trikala ...... 65 Figure 22: Expected rate of service demand in the Thermal Center ...... 65 Figure 23: Degree of tourism development in Trikala through the creation of a thermal/wellness center ...... 66 Figure 24: Additional demand for tourist services and products due to the thermal center ...... 66 Figure 25: Degree of new investments attraction due to the creation of a thermal center ...... 67 Figure 26: Rate of thermal center’s boost to the local economy...... 67 Figure 27: Intensity of the competitive advantage gained by the collaboration between the respondents and the thermal center ...... 68 Figure 28: Intensity of effect on employment and new jobs ...... 68 Figure 29: Intensity of effect on tourism seasonality ...... 69 Figure 30: The thermal Center as a new point of interest ...... 69 Figure 31: Interest in collaborating with the thermal center ...... 70 Figure 32: Increase in occupancy of existent facilities due to the operation of a thermal center ...... 70 Figure 33: Level of importance of local agencies’ and state’s support for the exploitation and development of the thermal resource ...... 71 Figure 34: Best scheme for the exploitation and development of the thermal resource .. 71
Postgraduate Dissertation 6 List of Abbreviations & Acronyms
AUTh Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
GDP Gross Domestic Product
ICT Information and Communication Technologies
OECD Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development
SETE Greek Tourism Confederation
SWOT Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats
VIP Very Important Person
UNESCO United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization
WTO World Tourism Organization
bn billion
L/d Liters per day
Postgraduate Dissertation 7 Introduction
Tourism is a multi-dimensional socio-economic phenomenon with multiplier effects on the whole economy of the host city or country since it includes the participation of almost all sectors of a state, society, and segments of the production process (Zacharatos, 1984). Consequently, all the authorities involved must organize and coordinate a set of activities that will contribute to tourism development and, if possible, in a balanced and sustainable way. Alternative tourism meets the above criteria of tourism development since it is based on respect and protection of the natural environment, local culture, traditions, and, more generally, on the non-harmful effects of mass tourism. International trends in alternative tourism and especially in health tourism, indicate that so many customers are shifting to wellness and rejuvenation programs, as well as natural remedies through the therapeutic potential of water. In the context of the above observations and international trends, this dissertation deals with the exploitation of a certified thermal resource in Trikala (Rizoma) and its impact on the tourism development of the wider area.
The purpose of this dissertation is to examine the suitability and potentials wellness tourism development in Trikala, on the occasion of the existence of a certified thermal spring on the broader area (Rizoma). The dissertation also studies the tourism development of the area that can be succeeded by the exploitation of the thermal resource through the interaction with the existing tourism of the area, either alternative or classical massive tourism. The research aims to answer significant questions concerning the level of the current development of alternative tourism in the prefecture of Trikala, the existence of thermal springs (in the area of Trikala) and their exploitation towards the development of the tourism sector, the way of their exploitation following the tourism development objectives, the potential creation of a thermal/spa center and the conditions of co-existence with all the forms of tourism in the area, the opinion of the businesses operating in the sector, and finally the benefits of wellness tourism development for the tourism sector and the overall regional economy.
For the purposes of the research, a questionnaire was conducted and delivered to the sample. The sample consists of 90 chosen hotels and accommodation facilities of the broader area of Trikala in order to answer research questions such as how feasible seems the idea of exploiting a thermal resource in the context of thermal/wellness tourism in Trikala, what prospects are being developed in Trikala for its development, to demonstrate the necessity
Postgraduate Dissertation 8 and benefits for the regional tourism through its development and through the collaboration with local tourism businesses, as well as to demonstrate potential weaknesses of the model, which are a barrier to the effort to develop this form of tourism, in order to offer practical suggestions and guidance.
Through the research questions is also examined the concept of a thermal center creation in the context of thermal resource exploitation, as well as the willingness of the respondents to participate in a program of collaboration with the thermal center with a view to the tourism development of Trikala. Quantitative analysis criteria were used for the statistical analysis of the survey data and for the answers to the questionnaire.
Through the literature review and the research results, at the end of this dissertation is concluded that the exploitation and utilization of the thermal spring in Rizoma through the potential creation of a super-modern Thermal Center, will complement the tourist profile of the wider area of Trikala, turning it into a unique destination that combines thermal tourism and wellness tourism with various forms of alternative tourism and massive tourism.
The main limitations of the research concern the relatively small sample, the examination of an important, but only one part of the area’s tourism sector (hotels and accommodation facilities), the short answers of closed-ended questions, and the non-performed interviews with relevant local agencies.
In the context of the present research, the 1st chapter presents and explains the concept of tourism through its characteristics and definitions. Then the concept and the forms of alternative tourism are presented. At the end of the chapter, reference is made to the sustainable development of tourism, as well as its benefits.
The 2nd chapter analyzes the concepts of thermal tourism and thermal resources, and after referring to important thermal/spa centers in Greece and Europe, the thermal resource of Trikala is presented. The relationship between thermal tourism and health tourism is also analyzed, and the prevailing international trends are reported. At the end of the chapter, there is an essential reference to the contribution of wellness tourism to the development of an area.
Chapter 3 presents the city of Trikala with its main characteristics and analyzes the most famous monuments and sights of the wider area. Forms of alternative tourism of the region are also mentioned, and at the end of the chapter, a SWOT analysis is made for the region regarding alternative tourism.
Postgraduate Dissertation 9 Chapter 4 concerns the purpose, methodology, and data analysis of the primary research on hoteliers in the area regarding alternative tourism, the utilization of the thermal resource, as well as the benefits arising from it. Then a commentary is made on the findings and conclusions, while a model of cooperation between hoteliers and a future thermal/spa center is proposed for the purpose of the tourism development strategy of the area. Potential problems with the use of the thermal resource are also presented, as well as the limitations of the research are referred.
In the 5th and last chapter, a summary of the results and conclusions of the research is made, and suggestions are made for necessary future research in order to study all the axes for the sustainable exploitation of the thermal resource.
1. Literature Review
1.1 Tourism: Definitions
In both Greek and international bibliography, there are a plethora of definitions for tourism, a fact that makes its complexity evident. The following are the most representative of the definitions assigned for tourism (Dionysopoulou, 2006).
The first definition made for tourism was in 1942 by Hunzker & Krapf, who referred to tourism as “a set of phenomena created by a trip and by staying in place of non-residents, as long as they do not get a residence permit there and do not participate in any work - event in the area.”
Later Joshke (Joshke,1954) approaches tourism as consumption, both as a special and as an additional one. Walterspiel (Walterspiel,1974) defined it as a shift in purchasing power and focused on the economic impact of tourism. In 1975 Kaspar described tourism as a system and defined it as the set of relationships and elements that result from a journey and the staying of people in a place that is not the primary and permanent place of residence and work.
Leiper (Leiper,1979) refers to tourism as a system that involves the voluntary transition and temporary stay of a person other than his or her permanent residence. Mathieson & Wall (Mathieson & Wall, 1982) defined the event as: “the temporary relocation to places other than permanent residence and work, the activities carried out during that stay and the facilities provided to meet tourist needs.”
Postgraduate Dissertation 10 One definition that could not be missed in our attempt to define tourism is that of the World Tourism Organization (WTO): “Tourism involves the activities of people traveling and staying in destinations and areas other than those which constitute their usual environment (e.g. the place of their permanent residence) and for a period not exceeding one year, for the purpose of recreation, the satisfaction of their professional needs, etc”.
According to the Northern University of Arizona, tourism is an experience of traveling, delivered by collected activities, services rendered and businesses, taking into account the sheltering, food, drink, amusement, activity equipment and facilities, and further hospitality operations which are provided to the people or groups of people that travel elsewhere than home.
Tourism is considered from Macintosh and Goeldner (Macintosh and Goeldner,1986) as a sum of occurrences and interconnections that occur from the tourists’ relations, local business suppliers, host governments, and local communities during the procedure of magnetizing and hosting these tourists and other visitors.
At this point, it is necessary to note that since the 1980s and 1990s, the approach of tourism as private consumption has begun to dominate, and this position was adopted for the recording of national accounts and inflow-outflows by W.T.O., O.E.C.D., and Eurostat.
What is important to realize is that tourism is a multi-dimensional socio-economic phenomenon, and in order to analyze it in its entirety, the most appropriate way is to treat it as a highly shaped private consumption. Based on this, “Tourism is a highly shaped private consumption, involving both the participation of almost all sectors of the production process, as well as the sectors of the state and society in a national host economy” (Zacharatos, 1984).
The above definition focuses on the economic dimension of tourism, the impact it has on other productive sectors, in other words, its multiplier effects on the whole economy in the host country and on the need for a coordinated policy to manage it, since tourism includes the participation of almost all sectors of a state, society, and sectors of the production process.
Thus, based on the foregoing, there is a need for the host country to organize and coordinate a set of activities that will contribute to tourism development and, if possible, in a balanced and sustainable way. This role of organization and coordination can be assumed by a
Postgraduate Dissertation 11 Destination Management Agency (Destination Management Organization) at a national, regional, or local level.
1.2 Alternative Forms of Tourism
Alternative tourism describes all the distinctive forms of tourism activities aimed at a different mode of leisure. Diversification is based on respect and protection of the natural environment, local culture, traditions, and, more generally, on the harmful effects of mass tourism.
The alternatives describe the special or the mild versus the other, as they deal with the adverse environmental and social impacts of conventional tourism. They focus on the idea of preserving the environment and the resources of tourist destinations, by satisfying the needs of the local population with the opportunity given to the destination regions to define tourism development rules based on their own needs, ideas and preferences rather than the needs of tourism companies that are distinguished as large. The multifaceted nature of alternative tourism is a crucial feature since it offers a wide range of fields of application, such as agrotourism, ecotourism, sports, conference.
It is in the same direction as sustainable tourism, and as Zisis (Zisis,2003) typically points out, “It is the adaptation of tourism development and the management of the tourism industry following the principle of sustainability - under the principle of sustainability in all its aspects and of course in its aspect for sustainability, and harmless techniques against nature, and friendly-environmental management.”
Alternative tourism starts with sustainability, in the context of sufficient competitiveness in the tourism market and in terms of economy and, of course, without the harmful effects of mass tourism on the environment and nature. At this point, we have to say that it is not entirely sustainable, at least as far as mass tourism is concerned. It just has the same targeting as viable tourism and ecotourism, which are the protection of nature and life, and differ in elements such as their specifications. Along with sustainable tourism, the concept of sustainable or responsible tourism has also developed.
Despite the burden of conventional tourism on the environment and nature, the deterioration it causes in the cultural and environmental-social structures of tourism destinations, sustainable tourism can reverse this trend. Key features include boosting employment and
Postgraduate Dissertation 12 generating income in local communities, by harmonizing with the actions of local authorities, social partners and/or the public and private sector, to support the development model of their particular region. Greece is one of the main destinations in many forms of alternative tourism as actions have been developed and established that make this type of tourism one of the first choices for a tourist. The following are some of these forms, as well as others that have not experienced similar development in Greece due to technology, costs, etc.
1.2.1 Maritime Tourism.
The mild climate, the protected sea sites and coastline, the many Greek islands, their sunshine, and in general, the wealth and variety of the Greek seas, make Greece an ideal destination for growth in the field of marine tourism. This contributes to both its maritime tradition and the special conditions favorable to sea voyages: Greek seas are considered safe from maritime hazards, the distances between the coasts are short, and equally favorable are the conditions related to the winds as long as the ambient and sea temperatures.
Maritime tourism began to develop in Greece in the 1960s, and its rapid development is particularly evident. In the field of cruises, cruise ships flying the Greek flag, which organize short or long day cruises in Greek ports and ports in other countries of the Eastern Mediterranean, have a total capacity of more than 10,000 passengers. However, Greek ports are also visited by foreign-flagged cruise ships, creating an additional passenger showcase at the country's maritime border for more than 500,000 passengers each year. Marine tourism includes not only transportation and leisure but also a significant variety of activities, such as Sailing & Yachting, which is sailing in the sea using sails and harnessing the power of the air. Windsurfing is sea-sailing as it combines features of sports. Scuba diving is an underwater exploration that requires the necessary diving equipment in combination with the guidance of an experienced instructor. In addition, thalassotherapy - spa, Hotels Resorts, thalassotherapy is an effective treatment system, using seafood, and is applied in modern hotel facilities and is part of the beauty tourism in our country that still has not expected growth as it is addressed to individuals financially independent, with plenty of free time available.
Postgraduate Dissertation 13 1.2.2 Health Tourism
Health tourism involves tourists in health or health programs related to maintaining, preventing, treating, recovering, and restoring health through modern medical methods and applications such as healthy living, beauty, slimming, nutrition, mental balance, social reintegration, etc. Therapeutic tourism is also part of this type of tourism. In recent years, however, popular tourist destinations have emerged, a medical tourism industry with services such as aesthetics and micro-interventions. A very popular destination of its kind is Dubai, where it is said to have more than 11 million expected medical tourists-visitors.
In Greece, it is not yet developed as it addresses people with a fairly good financial standing and time available.
1.2.3 Religious Tourism
Visiting, guiding, touring, and getting to know places of worship and religious faith is a defining element of religious tourism. In Greece, however, one can find buildings of worship of different religions. However, nowadays, religious tourism focuses and develops on a group of people and for special reasons such as a pilgrimage to the Holy Land on Easter or Tinos on 15 August. In Greece, of course, where a variety of Orthodox monuments are distinguished and religious tradition is deeply rooted, the combination of cultural and religious tourism is an integral part of the intentions for the further development and sustainability of this form of tourism. At the same time, the events of religious festivals and cultural events take the form of traditional celebrations with the preservation of customs, the highlighting of our heritage, and many times the participation of tourists who have gone to admire them.
1.2.4 Agrotourism
It is one of the mild forms of sustainable tourism development with many different activities in rural areas. The visitor-tourist comes into contact with nature, is entertained, discovering through his actions in the sustainable environmental, economic, and social development of the rural sector. In Greece, agrotourism has now gained a comparative advantage. Many businesses include agrotourism outlets/catering and leisure centers - tourist agencies for the organization of outdoor activities and tours of ecotourism and cultural interest - farms -
Postgraduate Dissertation 14 traditional production companies - folk art workshops. Our country still has the unique privilege of having endless resources, rare natural beauty, history, tradition, gastronomy, architecture, traditional arts, music tradition, traditional settlements, wetlands, traditions, local celebrations, festivals, forests, etc. Compared to other forms of tourism, rural tourism is less expensive for tourists and has the potential to bring about significant growth in the countryside.
1.2.5 Wine Tourism
This form of tourism has been developed significantly in recent years in several wine- producing regions of the world as it has been incorporated into special and alternative forms of tourism while being a sub-category of agrotourism.
Ten of the areas already developed in the context of wine-making are described as leading wine leisure destinations, including Castello Banfi in Tuscany (Italy), Chateau Lynch-Bages in Bordeaux (France) or Fournier in Mendoza (Argentina).
These destinations provide, besides information through guided tours and participation in wine production, a pleasant stay in the natural environment, with facilities that respect the elements of nature and assure their viability. In addition, they provide information and knowledge on the variety of wines, its taste, its combination with food groups, its maintenance, and preservation, as well as its usefulness as a long-term carrier of antioxidants. However, these ten top wine destinations from around the world do not contain any areas of Greece despite the tradition and long-term efforts of several businesses that are located, producing and contributing to the industry, as the necessary steps to combine agrotourism have not been taken.
1.2.6 Sports Tourism
Sports tourism is described as a modern phenomenon as tourism and sports have existed as separate sectors for the development of the economy. Sports tourism involves individuals or groups who participate in competitive or non-sport activities while traveling outside their typical environment. Athletic activity is a key element of the movement, while the tourist
Postgraduate Dissertation 15 element plays a reinforcing role in the overall experience. However, it includes effects such as:
1. Finance: sports tourism is estimated to occupy a share of 10-20% of total tourism products in a state (Numbers of Sports Tourism, 2018). Careful analysis of a sports tourism event should include cost-benefit calculation
2. Social and cultural impacts: sports tourism may also have positive effects such as strengthening the local community, enhancing local traditions and identity of residents, facilitating residents' relationships with the rest of the world, contributing to promotion and infrastructure construction. It may also be expected to have adverse effects such as disruption to the local community, impact on local tradition and identity, the occurrence of violence related to the conduction of events, or may contribute to friction between societies (World news network, 2018).
1.2.7 Ecotourism
It describes the nature-based tourist who promotes its protection by providing economic growth in protected areas, reducing unemployment in local communities, and providing environmental education. Greece is distinguished by this type of tourism, having a wide range of beauty. The rich and diverse natural environment, rare geomorphology, endless coastlines, lakes, rivers, habitats, imposing mountains, caves, and canyons, are described as having some of the key features for the development of this type of tourism. Eco-tourism offers the opportunity to participate in activities such as extreme sports (trekking, canoe- kayak, rafting, monoraft, etc.), which have already been developed in Greece while staying in standard agrotourism units offering the knowledge of products, rural occupations and the daily life of residents living in the area. Further information on local flora and fauna is provided by visiting ecological parks (Fennell D, 2001).
1.2.8 Adventure Trips and activities as tourism motivation
As described in the previous section, activities such as extreme sports are included in the framework of eco-tourism (Bakiris M., 2008). However, nature provides more general adventure travel activities which include:
Postgraduate Dissertation 16 Trekking: Refers to hiking trails and mountain trails, with the help of professional mountain guides. Basic possibilities and perspectives on the evolution of hiking are provided by the designation of international and national paths, the well-known E4 and E6. The advantages of this form of tourism include the development of adventure travel provided by the establishment of the Natura network as established by Directive 92/43 / EEC (Natura 2000). This network consists of all areas of Greece (as well as other countries) that are typically protected areas and concern 239 sites - sites of Community Importance and 163 Special Protection Areas (http://www.oreivatein.com).
River Kayak: River Kayak refers to kayak on the river banks. There is also Rafting, which is a riverboat with inflatable boats and a crew of 6-8 rowers and a professional river guide. In addition, there is the Monoraft & Canoe Kayak, which is a downhill riverboat with single- engined boats, where a professional river guide accompanies 5-6 boats. Finally, this form of tourism includes climbing, which is the climbing of rocks and climbing fields with the help of experienced escorts.
Mountain bike and Jeep Safari: It describes cycling on forest trails, with 28-speed bicycles, with brakes and full suspension, and with the help of a professional driver, as well as one- day on-road and off-road four-wheel drive. These forms also include paragliding or parapet. The parapente or glider got its name from the French words parachute and pent. It started in 1960 in the US but developed in the 1980s in France. Requires good physical fitness, good technical, mental and spiritual clarity, observation, but also meteorology and aerodynamics skills, which are offered by specialized trainers. It can reach up to 4,000 meters and is 2-2,5 km long. The duration of the flights is a few hours, with speeds between 48 and 60 km / h. It started in Greece in 1978 and joined the Hellenic Athletic Federation in 1999, and over the years, it has gained more and more friends, and there are clubs that are dedicated to the sport and offer training services. Greece's mild climate and terrain morphology are essential advantages for the further development and dissemination of paragliding.
Horseback riding: It is organized by horse-riding centers and conducted with trained horses on forest trails with the input of professional trainers.
Theme parks: The theme parks have been developed worldwide, and include a range of high-tech recreational activities or even marine biology information and training.
Postgraduate Dissertation 17 Ski resorts: It is included in winter tourism but is always a target for tourism throughout the year, described as a diversified product and made for leisure purposes. There are already 19 ski resorts in Greece, which receive thousands of visitors every year.
Zeppelin flights: It is a relatively new form of alternative touring and aerial touring entertainment. Germany is the country in which this type of tourism is available, with Zeppelin flights and costs varying depending on the time of browsing and the places of visit (http://www.zeppelin-europe-tours.com).
1.2.9 Conference Tourism
The idea of conferences goes all the way to Ancient Greece with the Delphic Amphitheaters, the representatives of the cities, gathered for a religious holiday, or peaceful settlement of their differences (http://www.livepedia.gr).
In several countries, modern hotel units and specialized conference venues provide expanded activities and high-quality services. With the appropriate infrastructure, they host small events or even major global conferences. Access to these areas, where conference facilities are available, is extremely easy and low. In Greece, these infrastructures, combined with the excellent climate, its natural beauties, coastline, unique gastronomy, vibrant nightlife, and cultural entertainment, make it an ideal destination for organizing such conferences without a second thought. It is estimated that conference tourism in Greece has a growth rate of 5% per annum (www. traveldailynews.gr).
1.2.10 Geotourism and Cultural Tourism (Arts)
It is a form of environmental tourism that has the potential to grow in areas where there are great geological monuments that are used to attract visitors with special interests.
Cultural tourism is considered to be a tourism-driven journey of cultural interest, including educational tours, theatrical performances, festivals, pilgrimages, visits to archaeological sites, monuments, etc. However, it also involves participation in educational experiences or cultural heritage as an important element of the guided tour.
Postgraduate Dissertation 18 1.2.11 Social Tourism and Family Tourism as sub-categories of tourism
Social tourism first made its appearance in Greece in 1982 and related to a modern form of domestic tourism in developed countries. Its main feature is that it enables the state, through the support of the economically weak and socially vulnerable groups of the population, to enjoy the right to vacation and tourism. Social tourism is actually a provision of the state, but it has a high impact on tourism, and this is the reason for constituting a separate category with specific features. These groups include the disabled, pensioners, farmers, the unemployed, etc. The immediate consequence is the strengthening of domestic tourism, the humanitarian character, and the softening of seasonality with the decentralization of holidays. However, the future and outlook of social tourism are determined by both the exploitation of international demand and the development of alternative forms of tourism such as medical and therapeutic tourism, where there is a combination and targeting (Kourtsetas G., 2007).
Family tourism concerns the destinations that meet family budget expectations, family mobility habits, accommodation, entertainment, training, and occupation are increasingly part of travel agency packages. However, it is necessary to create suitable infrastructures, such as kindergartens, playgrounds, specialized staff, etc., to accommodate them (Kourtsetas G., 2007).
1.2.12 Wellness and Medical Tourism
Tourism is an economic and social activity “... essential to peoples' lives because of its indirect effects on the fields of society, culture, education, and the economy but also on international relations” (WTO, 1980). Due to the importance of tourism as a phenomenon with an enormous impact on economic and social life, it is necessary to collect data for its study and understanding. In addition, it was required to be determined, mostly for statistical purposes. Thus, tourism is defined in terms that relate either to the activities of tourists/visitors or to the activities of tourism service providers, i.e., terms of supply or demand (WTO, 1992). The World Tourism Organization in 1991 during the Conference on Travel and Tourism Statistics held in Ottawa, Canada, accepted the “demand” side of travel and identified tourism as “the activities of people traveling to a destination outside their place of residence and staying there for no more than one year for leisure, business or other
Postgraduate Dissertation 19 purposes” (WTO, 1992). Thus, travel, that is, the movement of man from the place of his permanent residence to another place, is the main characteristic of tourism. According to this definition, the concept of tourism becomes widespread because it included several other activities, in addition to the narrow concept of leisure and recreation. This widespread concept of tourism offers the possibility to identify, as tourism, diverse and often controversial scientifically relevant forms such as conference tourism, exhibition tourism, etc. The so-called “medical tourism” is part of this wide range of forms of tourism. According to academics and researchers, “medical tourism” and “health tourism” are one of the fastest-growing areas of academic-research interest, and despite the contradictions, the term is widely used. (Horowitz, Rosensweig, & Jones, 2007), (de Arellano, 2007), (Burkett, 2007) (Leahy, 2008), (Whittaker, 2008), (Heung, Kucukusta, & Song, 2010), (Hopkins et al., 2010), (Kangas, 2010), (Karuppan and Karuppan, 2010), (Morgan, 2010), (Underwood and Makadon, 2010).
The term “medical tourism” did not exist a few years ago. It appears as a term in the 20th century, with the rise of people moving across national borders in search of treatment that cannot be offered, for various reasons, at their place of residence. At the same time, there is an increase in the number of countries being promoted on the international market as medical and wellness tourism destinations. A number of businesses operating as medical tourism agents have also emerged, with figures showing a significant upward movement of traffic, particularly from professional and destination countries (Connell, 2011). However, there are no official statistics to record health movements, and there is a tendency of over- inflating and often journalistic exaggeration (Connell, 2012).
The term medical tourism, despite its widespread use, especially in the field of advertising and marketing, supported by journalistic research, remains a paradox. Its central questions have not been identified, for example, what are the characteristics of medical tourism that distinguish it from other forms of tourism, and which do not in themselves contradict the concept of tourism, which may be classified as medical tourists, by what criteria do tourists differentiate from patients, what criteria do they calculate their exact number, etc. The term “medical tourism” is defined by an apparent contradiction, which is inherent, as tourism and hospitalization are concepts that cannot coexist. Tourism usually requires staying in tourist accommodation, and hospitalization acquires treatment or intervention that is generally provided by a hospital. These are two different activities of human social life that are not only incompatible but conflict because tourism requires good physical and mental health,
Postgraduate Dissertation 20 the lack of which inevitably leads a person to a health institution for medical care. Tourism as an activity of human life presupposes certain elements not included in hospitalization such as:
1. voluntary activity,
2. leisure activity,
3. assumes free time and no obligations and external restrictions, and
4. the primary motivation is the rest and recreation.
This activity appears to be in direct contrast to medical care and hospitalization. It happens because hospitalization includes elements such as a) it is usually forced activity, b) it is not a leisure activity, c) it does not require leisure time (in most cases it requires time to be spent, at the expense of any other activity), d) The main motivation is health, not rest, pleasure and enjoyment. So while tourism is associated with freedom of choice, pleasure, enjoyment, hospitalization is a compulsion and involves restrictions and misery. Ross (Ross, 2001) rightly pointed out that “... the dentist's chair and the antiseptic smell of a hospital waiting room are synonymous with pain and a sense of hopelessness. They just don't fit in with travel and vacations.” Whittaker (Whittaker, 2008) regards the term “medical tourism” as a pseudonym, which conveys not always travel-related enjoyment and blurred boundaries between the patient and the tourist for recreation. The free movement of goods and services under the auspices of the World Trade Organization and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (Smith, 2004 & Smith et al., 2009) accelerated the liberalization of trade in health services, as well as the developments on the use of regional and bilateral trade agreements. Health care is primarily a service industry, and this has made health services the world's most marketable goods. An important new element of this trade has been the movement of patients across national borders with the pursuit of medical and health care to another state, a phenomenon called “medical tourism”. Consuming health services in another country than that of permanent residence is not a new phenomenon. As mentioned above, travel was recorded for health reasons. However, the changes that are taking place in relation to travel for health reasons are quantitatively and qualitatively different from previous forms of travel related to health. The main differences are the reversal of this flow from developed to less developed countries, more regional movements are recorded, and a new 'international market' for patients emerging. People who travel for medical reasons also consume tourist services, such as accommodation, transport, food. But is the journey to healing, tourism? A
Postgraduate Dissertation 21 question that is reasonably asked since, as mentioned earlier, in this transition, some basic elements of leisure tourism are usually missing.
1.3 Sustainable Tourism Development and its Benefits
In 1965, Hetzer formulated the sense of sustainable tourism, which derives from the principles of minimum interference in the natural environment, respect of differences in cultures, high level of participation on behalf of local communities which provide the services of tourism, and increased tourists’ gratification. The development of tourism should be based on the local community in a way that is slow and controlled and simultaneously preserving the phenomenon low-toned (Kowalczyk, 2011), (Wheller, 1993).
Mihalic (Mihalic, 2016) supports that the beginning use of the term sustainability in tourism started in the 1990s by Inskeep defining the main factors of sustainable tourism: economic and social responsibility, responsibility towards the environment, and tourists’ gratification, and worldwide fairness and equity.
Tourism will continue to develop increasingly due to rising tourism demands and emerging new transport networks. Tourism's exponential growth will help the world economy develop and offer unique benefits for most of the countries involved. However, in most parts of the world, especially in developed countries, it is also supposed to have an adverse impact on the environmental and socio-cultural heritage. The degradation of both the environmental and cultural climate poses the possibility of a rising number of visitors in the destination areas. Nonetheless, the tourism industry is still pursuing the growth of new destinations. It could facilitate the industry to deal with the rise of tourism, but in addition, it would also damage the previously undisturbed areas.
The results of tourism during the 1980s and 2000s, as well as other forms of global growth that have local consequences, indicate the need to avoid the degradation and preservation of natural resources and destination areas, particularly local communities. Although admitting that past growth was unsustainable, in the late 1980s, sustainable development of tourism has been suggested. Consequently, numerous alternative forms of tourism have been introduced both as solutions to the growth of traditional tourism and as new products of commercial tourism.
Postgraduate Dissertation 22 A new growth model is known as “Sustainable Development” focuses on “Sustainability”. The development of the previous era was mainly unsustainable due to the degradation of the environment and the natural resources (Payutto, P. A., 1998). The incremental awareness of the greenhouse effect, ozone reduction, the rising occurrence of dangerous viral and bacterial mutants, and unchecked desertification was followed by the assumption that these were the “naturally occurring effect of the predominant western environmental trend” (Weaver and Oppermann, 2000). This challenge may be presented as a “green example”. Any of the green example's key concepts are: humanity is a part of nature, the reality is both absolute and comprehensive, convergent mechanisms are required so as a stable state to be preserved, community focus is a priority, and soft (eco-modern) use of technology is made, etc. In the Brundtland Report (Our Common Future), the term “sustainable development” was defined as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (Brundtland and WCED, 1987). Criticism on sustainable development argues that the concept is oxymoronic and mutually exclusive between sustainability and growth. Thus the idea is exceedingly difficult to put into practice (Weaver and Opperman, 2000). Another criticism (Payutto, P. A., 1998) is that the “environment” and “development” are significant and non-negotiable parameters of sustainable development which are inextricably linked with the use of science and technology, while it puts aside the “cultural development”, which should be one of the most basic factors of development. The emergence of sustainable tourism is a component of this agreement. The “alternative form of tourism”, which began in the 1980s and primarily focused on implementing sustainable concepts, nowadays plays a vital role in the development and promotion of tourism. Some of the terms that have been used by many researchers to characterize this kind of tourism are “new tourism” (Mowforth and Munt, 2003), or “new age tourism” (Gee et al., 1997) or “new forms of tourism”. Butler (Butler, 1993) framed sustainable tourism development as:
“tourism which is developed and maintained in an area (community, environment) in such a manner and at such a scale that it remains viable over an infinite period and does not degrade or alter the environment (human and physical) in which it exists to such a degree that it prohibits the successful development and well being of other activities and processes.”
In fit with the strong worldwide trend towards sustainable development, the idea of sustainable tourism has centered on handling the whole tourism sector. It encompasses all
Postgraduate Dissertation 23 aspects of tourism; that is, it is understood that all kinds of tourism should be “sustainable tourism” (Dowling, 1995). This leads to the very conscientious assumption that it is important for the tourism industry to ensure that frequent tourist visits are sustained and that tourism services remain desirable forever. Trading services must be efficient and competitive, but major investments might be needed on a regular basis to retain or improve facilities to satisfy the needs of the growing, perceptive, and innovative market of tourism. This plan must be accomplished through industry management based on sustainable development principles (TISTR, 1997).
There is a strong bond between the principles of sustainable development of tourism and the natural and environmental resources, as well as the intense compulsion for sustainable development at both the global and local levels. More significance, though, must be given to the fact that the touristic demands are changing due to the appearance of new trends, rendering the actualization of sustainable tourism development weighty pivotal for the sector. The effect of tourism’s latest trends in relation to the sustainability of the industry has been approved and commonly accepted by many researchers. (Meyer, 2010)
Being aware of the importance of tourism growth, political authorities at the global level make attempts towards tourism development in order to succeed higher benefits for their economies. The growth of tourism is being achieved, driven by the rules of sensible use of tourism resources, the continuous rise of productivity and quality of tourism, but always in relation to the maximum fulfillment of tourists’ needs and desires. Tourism growth and development contributes important benefits to the economies, and developing countries such as Greece have significant results in many sectors of their economy (Dritsakis and Athanasiadis, 2000):
Employment of the periphery stays strong, preventing people from immigrating. Support of the business sector through increased production in order to cover the needs of tourists for food, shopping, transport, banks, etc. Enforcement of wealth distribution through the spending of tourists’ income among weak economies of the periphery, which financially rely on the periods of tourism. Tourism also offers a cultural advance in regions that the phenomenon is intense. The fiscal sector is significantly affected by the benefits of tourism in public economies, but mainly the local ones.
Postgraduate Dissertation 24 The rising number of tourists, in combination with the changing and evolving tourist profile, request new ideas and infrastructure concepts. The friendly environment of Greece, with its exceptional flora and fauna and some of the most beautiful regions in the world, creates a vast range of opportunities for potential investors. The rich heritage of Greece gives access to the growth and development of many targeted parts of tourism, such as incorporated resorts, renovated marinas, sports tourism, wellness and health tourism, thermal spa centers, agrotourism, religious tourism, etc. According to SETE and the Bank of Greece, tourism accounts for 20,8% of Greece’s GDP, employs almost 950.000 people, and the revenues from tourism reach 17,7 billion € annually (SETE, 2019).
1.4 General conditions for the application of regional Alternative Tourism
According to Andriotis (Andriotis K., 2008), there are certain conditions for the right and sustainable implementation of alternative forms of tourism in regions that purpose on tourism development:
Protection and exploitation of the special characteristics of the area, which are the milestone of creating new jobs. Exploitation and promotion of local products, reducing the need for imports from large urban centers, and avoiding the risk of tourist monoculture. Proper distribution and diffusion of tourist flow in the area in order to avoid increased pressures on specific resources and the construction of extensive infrastructure that the area cannot withstand. Development and exploitation of all tourist resources of the region, especially the touristic ones. Finally, the complementarity of two or more alternative forms of tourism that have common characteristics, able to support both resources’ saving and incentives’ provision that lead tourists to choose the alternative forms.
However, it is necessary to support those mechanisms that will mobilize local agencies and human resources in the required direction. For the development and implementation of a program of alternative forms of tourism, it is considered necessary to create a legislative framework that will be based on international experience, information of stakeholders, and information of local agencies involved in tourism development. The training requirements
Postgraduate Dissertation 25 of the institutions and agencies, the residents and the visitors themselves are fundamental. There is a need for retraining of public and private sector executives in the field of alternative tourism, in order to acquire necessary know-how in order to set the stable base of tourism development (in the form of seminars, courses in countries that have experience and tradition in alternative forms of tourism). For all these reasons, the competent services should prepare and implement specialized studies that ensure the quality and sustainability of all alternative forms of tourism that are to be implemented.
One of the main problems for the operation of alternative tourism businesses is that many of the inland residents do not have the necessary knowledge, education, and experience regarding tourism (Busby and Rendle, 2000). Residents of areas that welcome tourists must be actively involved in the development process and be in line with the development of alternative tourism in their area (Andriotis Κ., 2008).
2. Thermal Centers and Thermal Resources
2.1 General characteristics
Therapeutical tourism is a form of social tourism that uses thermal springs mainly for therapeutic purposes. In international terminology, the terms are used: thermalism and hydrotherapy, but without synonyms.
Thermalism includes all the actions used to treat the human body using the thermo-metallic waters of thermal springs. Hydrotherapy is a medical treatment method and can be internal or external. It is external with baths or interior with the consumption of these fluids.
In Europe, the term “spa” is used to describe units that use natural mineral water, hot water, and clay for therapeutic purposes. In Greek, this indicates a thermal spring. In America, “spa” serum is used to describe all forms of hydrotherapy and does not require the use of thermal water or is an autonomous unit. It can be part of a large hotel complex, or it can also be services offered to tourists as part of a cruise along with other forms of tourism.
The serum used to date in Greece for thermal springs with suitable facilities for spa therapy is “thermal baths”. This serum is not very modern, because it cannot describe the nature of the services provided to tourists.
Postgraduate Dissertation 26 From ancient times the healing properties of the therapeutic thermal waters have long been known in ancient times to be used to treat various ailments. Greek mythology often mentions the miraculous healing properties of many thermal springs. In 50 BC, The “Asclepieia” are built near the thermal springs, where many people came to be cured of various diseases.
Bath therapy is a form of external hydrotherapy that uses thermal water or clay to treat many diseases: rheumatic, arthritic, gynecological, nervous, cardiovascular, etc. In the areas where thermal springs are located, cities have long been developed, where thermal resorts are the main reason for attracting tourists. These cities are called spa towns or thermal centers.
2.2 Thermal centers and springs in Greece
Greece is abundant in thermal springs with waters of a range of physicochemical composition and ideal for modern natural hydrotherapy applications. Only the type of treatment is encountered in all the thermal springs operating in Greece and not the offer of services related to organism rejuvenation. That is, the centers operating in Greece are hot spring tourism centers and not health tourism centers.
Hydrotherapy forms used in Greece are a.) bath and clay therapy, b) positherapy, and c) inhalation therapy, respectively. Hydrotherapy may be in-house or out. Internal hydrotherapy involves positherapy, dental, gastrointestinal, gynecological washes and inhalation treatment. Outside hydrotherapy includes spa and clay therapy.
The new methods of spa therapy, such as catheterization, hydromassage, hydrokinetic therapy, gymnastic exercises, physiotherapy, etc. are also applied in some of the thermal springs in Greece, which have modern equipment.
The following significant thermal centers of Greece are briefly mentioned with the most known treatments and therapies that are being provided to the visitors at the moment (Hellenic Association of Municipalities of Thermal Springs) :
Edipsos: The thermal baths of Edipsos have been known since ancient Greek times. The thermal springs of Edipsos have a history of more than 20,000 years. They are mentioned by Aristotle and Strabo, and today they are perhaps the most famous spa town in Greece. In Northern Evia, Edipsos Baths are known for the healing properties of the waters that gush
Postgraduate Dissertation 27 at high temperatures. In the area of thermal sources, there are hydrotherapy centers and hotels. Among them is the EOT hydrotherapy center, which is considered to have the most modern and complete hydrotherapy and physiotherapy facilities in Greece. An important acquisition for Edipsos’ thermal sources is the operation of the new hotel complex “Thermae Sylla”. Temperature water of 37 ° C can be used by those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, chronic rheumatoid arthritis, and general arthropathy, gallstones, nephrolithiasis, bloodstream infections, cataracts and eczema, and skin diseases, both in the individual baths and in the large pool and at the edges of the thermal - river in natural openings (troughs).
Services provided to visitors by the medical centers of Edipsos:
Anti-Stress Program Detoxification Program Classical Therapeutic Treatment Weight Loss Treatment Detoxification Treatments Facial treatments Massage Therapies Thermal Bath Therapy (with mud) Skin Hydration Treatments Toning & Tightening Treatments Nail & Hair Removal Treatments Aqua Fitness Yoga Physiotherapy
Thermal springs of Pozar (Aridaia): The thermal center is built in a green forest of unsurpassed beauty. It is crossed by the thermal river, which springs from the north (Kaimaktsalan) with crystal clear gurgling water. It is characterized by rich, warm aquifers (650 Km / h), the changing landscape, and a healthy environment. The forms of hydrotherapy that are applied are spa therapy and positherapy. For the application of the Bath Therapy, there are three hydrotherapy centers with two hubs, eight group pools, of which six are new, and individual baths. The thermal springs of Loutraki or Pozar Baths gush at an altitude of 360 - 390 m. in the bed of Thermopotamos.
Postgraduate Dissertation 28 They are created by rainwater that penetrates the ground and reaches great depths, where it is heated, rises higher, and in the course of it, is enriched with metals and other ingredients. As a result, the hot springs of Pozar owe their creation to the rise of geothermal fluid through faults to the surface.
At the main point of discharge (hydrotherapy center), the water has a temperature of 37.2°C, the source of the square 36.4°C, and the cold one, which is also located in the square 15 °C.
The healing properties of water are recommended for diseases of the circulatory and respiratory systems, rheumatism, gynecological and skin diseases. It is also indicated for the treatment of liver, kidney, bile, digestive, and urinary tract diseases.
The thermal center of Pozar has the following facilities at the disposal of every visitor.
Outdoor facilities:
Natural waterfall with a pool Artificial waterfall with a pool Outdoor Olympic-sized thermal water pool
Indoor facilities:
Thermal springs Six different pools within two buildings Hammam with gravel Indoor pool with waterfall and rock Jacuzzi & Spa
In the area of the thermal center and nearby regions there are many hotel units and restaurants and numerous offered activities:
7 Guesthouses 9 Hotels 5 Restaurants – Taverns Climbing Hiking Mountain Cycling Wild bird observatοries Kayak
Postgraduate Dissertation 29 Rafting Skiing – Routes The center has an equipment rental shop, two ski and snowboard schools, snowmobile rentals, luxury rooms for rent, a restaurant, cafe, bar, snowboard at an altitude of 2,069m and many outdoor activities. 4x4 Routes: Special routes and river crossings are organized in the enchanting environment of Mountainous Aridea. Horseback riding. In the municipality of Aridea and the village of Orma, there is and still is an equestrian club and a riding school that, with specially trained horses, offer routes to adults and children. Local tradition Museum. At a distance of 13 km from Aridea are located the “Loutra”, a paradise of natural beauty in the center of which is the Paleontological - Physiographic & Folklore Museum of Almopia. It was founded in 1991 and is the only one in Greece with a mixed character. Cultural events
Thermal springs of Kamena Voulrla: In the most important thermal springs of the country and in Europe in general, the springs of Kamena Vourla are classified by experts. They were created by the geological changes of Maliakos bay and the mountain range of Kallidromo - Knimidos. They became known due to their rare composition in natural minerals, salts, and radon. The thermal springs of Kamena Vourla gush at the foot of Mount Knimis, having different temperature and radioactivity. There is a radioactive source, a source of hydrogen sulfide chloride, a ferruginous source, and the cosmetic source of Aphrodite, which is sulfuric. The temperature of the springs is 35 - 36°C, and their waters are suitable for many different diseases.
The thermal waters of the springs of Kamena Vourla supply the city's two hydrotherapy centers, “Hippocrates” and “Asclepius”, which have thermal baths, swimming pools and a modern outdoor pool, located in the area around the hydrotherapy centers. Eucalyptus trees have been planted in the same area, which intensifies the beneficial effect of the waters. During the summer months and the first months of autumn, Kamena Vourla is flooded with
Postgraduate Dissertation 30 people of mainly older age who arrive from all over Greece to reap the beneficial ingredients of the thermal waters of the area.
In Kamena Vourla there are two facilities for thermal baths:
The hydrotherapy centers of Kamena Vourla Thermal springs of Aphrodite and Mylos Koniavitis
Around the area of the thermal center, there are 26 hotels, 19 guesthouses, 31 businesses that provide food (restaurants-taverns-bakeries-fast food), and plenty of activities in the disposal of the visitors such as hiking, diving, and sailing.
Thermal center of Smokovo (Karditsa): The beneficial ingredients of its thermal water cure a wide range of diseases, with rheumatism and respiratory diseases being the first. The hottest sources’ temperature is 41.6 ° C, while the average water temperature since 1662 is 40.2 ° C. The water is collected in a tank from which it is transferred to the hydrotherapy center for the bath, the inhalation department, the department of nasal washes and the group hammam department through thermal insulation pipes. Each bathtub has a hydromassage and a temperature regulator in order to correspond to the temperature recommended by the doctor. A drilling takes 18 ° C cold water of the same composition and mixes it with the hot water.
The thermal center of Smokovo is located at the 35th km of the Karditsa - Rentina road at an altitude of 450 m. They belong to the Municipal Department of Loutropigi and have been operating in the form of a community enterprise since 1982.
Access by car is quite easy, and during the summer period, daily itineraries are performed by the KTEL of Karditsa. There are fully renovated B 'C' and D 'category hotels of the Municipal Enterprise of Smokovo (Agrafa, Thessaly, Meteora, Pindos, Tempi) as well as guesthouses (Haido, Athena, Kalypso) next to the modern hydrotherapy center. The capacity of the infrastructure is close to 250 rooms.
It has a complex of shops with a bakery, cafe, patisserie, grocery store, restaurant, kiosks, etc. Near the springs, there is also the tavern of Mr. Kyrtsas, private guesthouses, and restaurants of good standards.
The official bathing season lasts from June 1st to mid-October.
The thermal waters gush from five springs at a natural temperature of 37 to 40.2 degrees Celsius and are channeled to the hydrotherapy center. They have a sulfate alkaline
Postgraduate Dissertation 31 composition, slightly hydrogen sulfide odor, and are considered to be among the best in Greece.
Several hotels are built very close to the hydrotherapy center, and all have views of the main square where most of the shops are located. After their recent modernization, they are all in excellent condition and are classified into various categories to meet customers of all requirements and financial capabilities.
The Hydrotherapy Center is one of the most modern, and since June 2009, the new SPA complex has started its operation, which in combination with the beneficial and therapeutic properties of the thermal springs, offers visitors relaxation and wellness. The new complex features a swimming pool, a fully equipped gym, two classic and two inter-thermal saunas, two hammam rooms, and two relaxing massage rooms. There are also individual inhalers, nasal washers, and individual large, comfortable, and clean bathtubs that, when pressed by a button, become hydromassage (jacuzzi). During its operation, specialized personnel is hired in all positions, and there is a doctor permanently in the spa town.
Thermal springs of Mytilene: The hottest springs in Europe, gushing through volcanic primary and secondary porous rocks. The water temperature is between 67 and 92 degrees Celsius and in the baths between 42 and 44 degrees Celsius. They have healing properties (in addition to relaxing) for chronic rheumatism, arthropathy, chronic spondyloarthritis, lumbosciatica, secondary skin diseases, gout, inflammatory diseases, gynecological disorders, etc.
Thermal Springs of Thermi (“Thermal city”): Recommended for the treatment of rheumatism, gynecological, skin diseases, and circulatory diseases. Thermi (Municipality of Thermi’s “Thermal city”), which is located 11 km from the city of Mytilene, is the center of the surrounding area and is divided into two parts, Kato and Ano Thermi. Thermal springs of Eftalou: With temperatures of 43.6°C - 46.5°C, it is indicated for the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis, sciatica, neuralgia, cholelithiasis, gynecological and skin diseases. Area: Molyvos (Mithymna).
Thermal springs of Mylos island: The island has a variety of thermal springs, with different temperature and water composition with the most important being the Lakkou Adamas spring, the Makrinos or Haro sprig, the mud baths in the cave of Alykes, the steam
Postgraduate Dissertation 32 baths in Ai-Giannis Provatas, the warm sea baths of Kanavas and the vapors in Kalamos. Warm sea baths can be enjoyed in other coastal areas of the island, such as Tria Pigadia, Schoinopi, and Paliochori.
The water temperature is 35°C - 41°C Characterization: Thermometallic, Sulfur, ferric, Chloronatrix thermal water of the municipality of Milos Therapeutic indications: Chronic rheumatism, arthritis, myalgias, gynecological diseases, neuralgia and general diseases of the peripheral nerves, skin diseases The operating period is from July 15 to October 15 from 7 am to 1 pm.
The following table includes all the thermal springs of Greece and the healing properties of each one.
Postgraduate Dissertation 33 THERMAL NATURAL RESOURCE RHEYMATIC GYNAECOLOGICAL SKIN NEUROLOGICAL RESPIRATORY URINARY GASTROINTESTINAL Agiasmata √ √ √ √ Agios Fokas √ √ √ √ √ Agios Varvaros √ √ √ √ Agia Paraskevi √ √ √ √ Agioi Apostoloi Agia Kyriaki √ √ √ Agkistro √ Agrapidia (Limnohori) √ √ √ Aidipsos √ √ √ √ Akriton Amarantos √ √ √ Ammoudara √ √ √ Anthemion Asklipiou √ √ √ Dranista-Kaitsa √ √ √ Ekkara √ √ √ Eleftheres √ √ Eftalou √ √ √ √ Genisaias(Potamia) √ √ √ Giannes √ √ Iraia √ √ √ Kavasila & Pixaria √ √ √ √ Kaiafa √ √ Kallidromos √ √ √ Kalithea √ √ Kamena Vourla √ √ √ √ Kivotos √ √ √ √ Kimolos Kokkino Nero √ √ Kokkino Stefani √ √ √ Kolpou Geras √ √ Kremasta Valtou Krinides √ √ √ √ √ √ Kythnos √ √ √ √ √ Lagadas √ √ √ √ Lakkos Adamanda √ √ √ Loutraki (Agioi Theodoroi) √ √ √ √ Loutrohori √ √ √ √ Mandraki √ √ Methana Nea Apollonia √ √ √ √ √ Orea Eleni √ Palaiovraha √ √ √ Paralitheon (Rizoma) Pikrolimnis Plaka Limnos Plaka Santorinis Platystomo √ √ √ √ √ Pozar √ √ √ √ Polichnitos √ √ √ √ Preveza √ √ √ Psarotherma √ √ √ Sedes √ √ √ √ Sidirokastro √ √ √ Smokovo √ √ √ √ √ √ Soulanta √ √ Souroti √ √ Spilaio-Thermo Lefkados √ √ √ Thermes Nigritas √ √ √ √ Thermon Apollona √ √ √ Thermopiles √ √ √ Thermi Thermia √ √ Therma Limnos Therma Kalymnou √ Traianoupoli √ √ √ √ √ √ √ Xino Nero Ypati √ √ √ √ Table 1: List of Greece’s thermal springs and the treatment they are recommended for. Source: Hellenic Association of Municipalities with Thermal Springs
Postgraduate Dissertation 34 2.3 Thermal centers/Spa centers in Europe
Many centers in spa towns now operate throughout Europe and specifically in Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Russia, Hungary, the Czech Republic.
In the Mediterranean, in addition to Greece, Italy, and Spain, Israel, Tunisia, Cyprus, and Morocco have developed thermal tourism and health tourism.
In Russia, one in three Russians visits health spas.
Europe has a total of 1,400 developed spa towns, employing 750,000 people with an annual turnover of 45 billion. Hungary, one of the most developed countries in the world, has 120 spa resorts with full equipment and infrastructure. 22% of foreign visitors to the country are destined for these centers. At this point, it is important to refer to some significant examples of active thermal centers in Europe (Global Wellness Institute):
Grand Resort Bad Ragaz (Switzerland) 5*
It is the largest spa resort in Switzerland
Visitors are given the opportunity to feel the power of Bad Ragaz's thermal water with its balanced mineral content and the healing properties that were confirmed by Paracelsus several centuries ago. The temperature is 36.5 ° C - ideal for relaxation, rest, and harmony.
The thermal water is the most valuable feature of the resort, which springs from Tamina Gorge since the Middle Ages. In the “Thermal Spa”, you can find extensive aquaculture that includes the swimming pools Hele-nabad (34 ° C), and Sportbad (28 ° C). From May to September, the Garden Pool is also open.
- “Helena” Swimming Pool, about 34 ° C - 125 to 140 cm deep - “Sports” Swimming Pool, 28 ° C - 115 to 150 cm depth - “Garden” Swimming Pool, 28 ° C - 130 cm deep - Tamina Gorge (Kneipp zone) - Tamina Spa (public space)
Recommended bathing time: maximum of 20 to 30 minutes.
- It has private Spa spaces - It has sauna programs and spaces
Postgraduate Dissertation 35 The Tamina thermal pool contains thermal water in its pure form. The sauna area offers a wide range of massage and beauty treatments. A variety of different activities and four various therapeutic bath programs are provided to improve the physical and mental condition of the visitors.
Figure 1: Tamina thermal pool
Grand Resort Bad Ragaz has a long history of caring for sick patients who have been using the healing water of the Tamina spring for centuries to relieve illness and pain. The resort continues this tradition with the Medical Center, which opened in 2014. It provides the following treatments:
Classical Hydrotherapy (15 minutes)
The contracted muscles are stretched, the joints become more agile, and the weak muscles are strengthened. Aquatic exercise is especially suitable for recovery and postoperative stages as well as for aerobic training.
Aqua Pilates (45 minutes)
Improve the posture of the body through the activation of the “power house” (abdomen, pelvic area, and muscular complex of the back). The emphasis is on endurance and muscle building, through dynamic movements in the water, combined with the classic pilates method.
The Ragaz Ring Method (30 minutes)
The ring method developed at Bad Ragaz Medical Center is a special aqueous treatment with resistance exercises performed within the thermal spa. This treatment improves flexibility in patients with chronic joint problems and helps in the recovery process. It is a very suitable method for strengthening the muscles, gaining more agility, improving the coordination of the musculoskeletal system, and relieving pain.
Postgraduate Dissertation 36 The spa resort also provides to the visitors:
Physiotherapy Medical Massage Nutritionists Holistic Aesthetics Dental treatments Plastic surgeries Laser sessions Excursions in the village of Spa and porosity therapy from the thermal water of Tamina spring
The Gainsborough Bath Spa (England) 5*
Facilities
Three natural thermal baths, from the exploitation of the natural thermal water of Bath: Main thermal bath heated to about 35 °C Small thermal bath heated to about 40 °C Small thermal pool heated to about 35 °C for water treatments and exclusive use infrared Sauna Traditional Sauna Ice chamber Steam room Relaxation terrace Thermal water fountain Treatment waiting room 11 treatment rooms, including: Two tamami rooms A double VIP room with bathtub with thermal water A double treatment room Hair and beauty salon Member seating room
Postgraduate Dissertation 37 Exercise room with aerobic machines and Technogym resistors Private exercise room for personal sessions or small group sessions Trials with shutters with a locking system with individual code
Figure 2: The Gainsborough Bath Spa
Exercises with the use of thermal water
Spa Village Bath Aquasana (45 minutes)
This session is a variation of the classic yoga. Continuous stretching is enhanced by gentle tai chi and dynamic karate movements to enhance balance, mobility, and flexibility. It is recommended for anyone who is able to withstand the water for about 45 minutes. Group or individual sessions are available.
Release (45 minutes)
Movement of the body through the water with the support of the hands of a capable therapist. Dynamic pull in a relaxation position that this shot is mainly experienced only during the fetal condition.
Personal Aquatic Session (45 minutes)
A customized session to suit the personal needs of each visitor, with a specialist in aquatic exercise.
Therme Erding – Thermal center (Germany)
It is the largest Spa in the world.
Postgraduate Dissertation 38 1. Facilities & Benefits
Thermal Springs
Indoor Vitality Pool Surface: 1,200 sq.m.Thermal waters: 34 ° C Outdoor Swimming Pool It is located right next to the lake Thermal waters: 34 ° C It has a whirlpool and a water channel
Pool on the terrace Thermal waters: 34 ° C A la carte meals are served
Meditation Pool Unlike the outdoor pool, it is quiet with soft music Free Water Balance courses are offered (max. 8 participants) several times during the day Thermal waters: 34 ° C
Springs of healing Benches are placed around the thermal spring Footbath with thermal bubbles gushing from the source rock Water temperature: 40 °C Used as an intermediate station between sauna sessions for warming up and relaxing the body respectively
Sources of vitality
Specific areas include:
Three pools with calcium, selenium, iodine and Dead Sea salts Starting from the pool with calcium and ending up in the pool with the minerals, the skin absorbs valuable ingredients in just 5 to 10 minutes in each pool.
Postgraduate Dissertation 39 Every day from 18:00 the visitors of the sauna have the opportunity to use the sources of vitality without swimsuits. Until 17:30 they are part of Vitality Oasis with clothes and are accessible through a revolving door.
Canal Grande Three pools with calcium, selenium, iodine and Dead Sea salts A pool of cold thermal water temperature 26-28 °C 20 meters long Located inside the Palazzo Veneziano, a replica of the Private Doge Palace in Venice Indicated as an intermediate destination between sauna sessions Veneziano Ristorante and Veneziano Café & Bar are included in the facilities, where they serve Italian specialties in the pool.
Vitality Basin The central point of Roman Villa Glass opening roof Roman art decoration It includes underwater music
Hot Spring in Roman Villa Pool located inside Roman Villa Thermal water: 34 ° C It has places with headrests for relaxation It has alternating air jets that are activated at regular intervals
Kneipp Course Foot baths with special rubber Frozen water Repeated baths to strengthen the immune system Facilitates metabolism Increases blood circulation Detoxifies the body Kneipp foot baths are located between saunas
Postgraduate Dissertation 40
Figure 3: Therme Erding
2.4 Thermal Resource of Trikala
Natural therapeutical (thermal) water resources are considered natural water resources (cold or hot), natural gases, or clays, which have medical properties that have been recognized in accordance with the provisions of the law, (Law 3498/2006). The thermal natural resources that are used today both in Greece and internationally belong to the vast majority of them in geothermal fluids (water and gases). That is, as raw material, they belong to the natural resources that are located mainly in the subsoil and are renewable in the sense of natural replenishment if their use is done at such a rate and without exceeding the limits of the system.
Liquids: Hot or cold mineral waters of springs or boreholes.
Solids: Clay minerals, organic or mixed.
Thermal (therapeutical) source: It is a natural gushing or pumping of thermal water or gas.
Thermal waters and Gases: They are groundwater or gaseous waters or gases that gush in a natural way. They are obtained by technical work, which, due to their physical or chemical properties, have healing properties that are recognized on the basis of the law framework set by the state. Thermal waters contain mineral ingredients such as sodium, potassium,
Postgraduate Dissertation 41 calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, oxygen, and other essential elements that determine their value and properties.
At 29/7/2018, with the signature of the Minister of Tourism, Elena Kountoura, the natural resource of Rizoma (Paralitheon) in the Municipality of Trikala was officially recognized as a Thermal-therapeutical resource (spa) and was published in the Government Gazette (3047 / 29-7-2018). Specifically, the natural resource of Rizoma of the Municipality of Trikala (pumped drilling) for “bath therapy” is recognized as thermal, with thermal properties that are indicated for rheumatic diseases, chronic rheumatism, sciatica, back pain, neurological diseases. The location is considered ideal, as it is located close to tourist businesses and Trikala, while at the same time, the place’s nature favors thermal/spa tourism, peace, and quiet.
According to Dr. Miltiadis Tsaligopoulos Professor of the Medical Department of the School of Health Sciences of AUTh, the thermal resource of Rizoma (Trikala) based on physical, chemical, microbiological and radiological parameters, is characterized as a warmish, hydrogen sulfide, oxygen carbonate, alkaline, fluoride, contains minimal radioactivity, while at the same time does not contain any microbial load.
Therefore, the thermal resource of Rizoma is indicated for the development of the following treatments:
Hydrotherapy with the method of positherapy in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Mouthwashes to enrich the liquid environment of the oral cavity with fluoride. Spa therapy in diseases of the covering system and rheumatic and autoimmune diseases, with the method of inhalation therapy to improve the symptoms in cases of mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and with a combination of inhalations and nasal washes in cases of nasal diseases.
At the same time, the water content of this source in acidic carbonates, sulfur, hydrogen sulfide, and fluoride makes the natural resource suitable for:
Positherapy. The water of this natural resource can be freely consumed in an amount of 1 L/d for a period of 20 days for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and urinary tract.
Postgraduate Dissertation 42 Mouthwashes freely if the water is not swallowed, due to the high fluoride content, to treat caries. Bath therapy in cases of diseases of the covering system and in diseases of the musculoskeletal system as well as rheumatic and autoimmune diseases, with guided active physical exercise in the water. Immersion and physical exercise in water is an effective complementary part of physiotherapy in infants or toddlers, who due to damage to the central nervous system develop neuromuscular or developmental disorders, looking forward to improving their functional movement.
2.5 Relationship between Thermal Tourism and Health tourism
Health tourism is a wider term that covers all services related to health. It is classified into three sectors: wellness tourism, spa tourism, and thermal tourism. Wellness tourism is focused on encouragement by healthy people who plan to travel to boost or preserve their health-being by improving the strength of the body and rejuvenating it in general. Thermal tourism applies to the provision of visitor facilities in locations with thermal springs, where natural thermal properties are used for wellness (preventive or therapeutic), physical therapy, or rejuvenation purposes under supervision by specialists.
The key distinction between wellness tourism and thermal tourism is that the usage of a natural healing element is not needed for wellness tourism. Yet thermal tourism also involves recreational and rejuvenation practices (sports rooms, rooms for physiotherapy, entertainment centers, beauty salons).
One of the different types of tourism is thermal tourism, provided that there is a powerful and unique incentive that corresponds to travel. Such tourism further contains a social context: the tourist looks forward to genuine familiarity and interaction with the reception location without degrading the importance of recreation at the same time.
In order to grow thermal tourism as a particular type of tourism, it is important to adopt the concept of sustainable tourism, with the principles of sustainable development as long as the key goal and the main purpose of the harmony between culture, economy, and climate.
Postgraduate Dissertation 43 2.6 International trends in Health tourism
International trends in health tourism indicate that so many customers are shifting to wellness and rejuvenation programs, as well as natural remedies through the therapeutic potential of water, though noteworthy is the fact that young people between the ages of 31- 55 are increasingly growing their involvement. This is largely attributed to the high rates of work and living in cities, constant pressure young people's consciousness about preventive care (Papadimopoulos, Christodoulou, 2007).
The steady rise in visitor traffic posed by health tourism, and in particular thermal tourism, is associated with the general change of the populace to natural therapies, although it is closely related to the resting holidays, whose socio-psychological meaning is escalated. Since no time of year is “prohibitive” to health tourism, it will offer a significant contribution to extending a destination's tourist season.
Experts' research (Papadimopoulos and Christodoulou, 2007) established a range of major global financial, socioeconomic, and market trends projected to have a substantial effect on health tourism:
Pursuing longevity and better quality of life. The increasing surplus of customers in the developed world promotes the quest for a premium lifestyle. Looking for socialization in a spa atmosphere. Raise the number of pensioners who could consider moving in search of new or unique types of tourism under the shield of a sufficient pension; The group of younger generations has more financial resources for the non-essential requirements. The first market they are addressing is leisure, a lot of wellness travel, and thermal tourism since it is also linked to health, which is of greater concern for the people of this age. The growing awareness of the new generation, which in turn also focuses on the consumption of tourism health and wellness services The increased knowledge of the younger generation, which in fact concentrates on the consumption of health and wellness services in tourism Different forms of consumers arose, such as groups of friends, families with young children, and groups of professionals.
Postgraduate Dissertation 44 Thermal tourism is environmentally friendly and can be associated with ecological and green types of tourism growth. In a wider tourism sense, human wellbeing may be paired with “the planet's wellbeing” and the ecosystem. Thermal tourism may be connected with aspects of cultural tourism, such as a tour of historical places where prior thermal baths operated. In tandem with people's health concerns, companies are gradually looking to fresh and diversified sustainable ventures in recreational facilities.
There are also certain characteristics, according to SETE (Papadimopoulos and Christodoulou, 2007), that distinguish the health tourist from the basic tourist:
Tourism demand is not seasonal because a journey led by healthcare incentives or revitalization is not necessarily linked to a certain time of year. Health tourists usually travel with an accompanying person, at least. Health tourists are generally of the higher socio-economic community. Health tourists are not usually price-sensitive. The factors influencing their preference are related to the standard of the services offered and to the additional benefit of the services (e.g., a range of wellbeing programs). In addition to the main tourism factors, along with travel agents and tourist amenities, national health systems and insurance institutions, in particular, are also involved.
Wellness Tourism is anticipated to grow by 2020 at a rate of over 9 percent per year, nearly 50 percent faster than the overall Tourism & Travel market. This constitutes 6 percent of both international and national travel (524.4 million). Europe leads the market, first among all, with EUR 203 million wellness trips annually. By 2020, it is expected to have a growth rate of more than 7 percent a year, with stronger growth from Russia and Poland. Six of the ten countries with the largest spending on wellness tourism are all in Europe (Germany, France, Austria, the UK, Italy, and Switzerland). In terms of overall travel and spending (foreign & domestic), Germany leads Europe, with 49.3 travel and 30.7€ billion in revenues, with a 10 percent market share (international transactions). Germany is followed by France with 27.3 million travel and 17.5€ billion of expenditure and Austria with 11.3 million travel and 10.2 billion euros of expenditure. Greece ranks 9th, with 4.5 million travel and €2.4bn., just before Portugal with 3.4 million travel and 2.5 billion euros (SETE).
Furthermore, according to the report of SETE (2014), Wellness hotels & Spa resorts will remain the most common commodity in wellness tourism, especially in Southern Europe,
Postgraduate Dissertation 45 where the trend towards holistic treatments is expected to expand. In Central and Eastern Europe, the trend towards natural resource resources (such as thermalism) will be reinforced, especially in the Baltic countries, while in Northern Europe, the trend towards well-being combined with “good life”, natural climate, and rural activities will be strengthened.
The possible trend of spending cuts by government agencies and insurance funds will lead to developments targeting customers who are themselves covering the costs.
The ability to track the health and effectiveness of treatments and services delivered across the sector spectrum will be enhanced.
Customers would recognize the distinction in terms of goods and wellness services, with a stronger preference for authentic, locally produced products.
Sensitivity to nature and ecological practices in health and wellness tourism will become ever more relevant. This impacts not just the goods but the implementation of a green economy in the service of wellness and spa facilities more generally.
The Internet and social media tend to have a strong impact on user habits and decisions.
The figure of the international trends complete the tendency of the following demographic characteristics:
The 60-plus age group is the biggest visitor in Europe to spas and thalassotherapy services. Wellness & Spa becomes more and more popular with couples, women, and families, which is the newest “group” among client groups, Spa destinations and spa hotels are Europe's most expensive tastes and wellness tourism services and attract higher-income customers. Wellness tourism customers pay up to 130 percent more than the average visitor. The average European Wellness Tourism consumer is wealthy, cultured, middle- aged, and demanding, preferring to travel within Europe for health and therapeutic reasons or wellness facilities.
Postgraduate Dissertation 46 2.7 Impact of Wellness Tourism on Regional Growth
Wellness is a big and increasing part of the global economy. This accounts for about 5,3 percent of global economic production, most recently estimated by the Global Wellness Institute at $4,2 trillion in 2017. From 2013-2017, the health market has risen from $3,4 trillion to $4,2 trillion, or 5,8 percent annually – a five-fold development pace as high as global economic growth (1,1 percent per annum). Wellness currently accounts for almost half the amount of global health spending, measured at $7,3 trillion in 2015. Wellness, as a sector, is a major player in the world economy, close to the ICT industry and greater than sports, pharmaceutical products, and the classic tourism industry. And still, wellness market development has become mostly a trend of the private sector, off of the sight of most political officials, decision holders, and economic planners. Many broad and fast-growing sectors-from high-tech and engineering to health and tourism-are strongly desired by regional developers across the world and gain from massive investments by marketing strategies, investment opportunities and promotion, job preparation, site growth, and so on. Wellness has not earned much of this attention yet, probably because it is so fresh and a little-understood industry.
Figure 4: Global Wellness Economy
Postgraduate Dissertation 47 The development of wellness industry implicates many possible cross-cutting effects, not just in terms of economic prosperity, productivity, and advancement, but also in the fields of health, community policy, environmental and cultural protection, workforce, equality and diversity, social and cultural relations, and far more. More generally, wellness offers a different perspective in which progress, beyond conventional economic growth strategies, will deliver wide-ranging benefits to individuals, culture, and the world (planet).
Figure 5: Global Market Size of Wellness
Wellness’s market of $4 trillion is fast-growing, robust, and omnipresent. The driving forces that lead people to spend money on wellness are powerful enough that progress in the wellness industry across the world was resilient and surpassed GDP growth, even during the years of the shrunk world economy. Such trends are anticipated to remain, with most of the growth in the market powered by domestic demand and encountered through domestic supply. Since many of the wellness companies are tiny, service-oriented, entrepreneurial, and women-led, wellness advancement has the ability to fuel substantial economic development and employment creation in cities, regions, and nations around the globe.
Creating employment and growing small enterprises. A significant majority of healthcare and industry practices are service focused and thus continue to build employment. Moreover, other health markets are characterized by small and regional companies targeting a regional customer base and use local goods and services (e.g., yoga
Postgraduate Dissertation 48 centers, exercise centers, spas, grocery, conventional/native and alternative medicine therapists, nutrition experts, etc.). Therefore, a rising lifestyle market provides incentives for micro/medium enterprises, startups, and innovative business models.
Promotional strategy of locally produced goods and services. Wellness consumers are gradually favoring and ready to pay a higher price for authentic, natural, locally produced and viable products (e.g., fresh food, skincare, and hygiene products, herbal based and traditional treatments, etc.) Wellness market growth will promote the production of indigenous goods and services, thus enabling regions to appreciate their own history and special location-based product offerings.
Empowerment of females, and gains for societies. Numerous health users are women, and several wellness-associated professions are historically women-dominated (e.g., massage practitioners, traditional therapists, travel and retail staff, etc.). Hence, this industry’s development encourages women’s employment expansion. Additionally, traditional awareness of wellness, such as healing methods, herbal treatments, etc., is also conveyed along matriarchal lines, flowing from grandmother to mother to daughter. The growth of the wellness sector provides business incentives and opportunities for females and thereby reinforcing the protection of cultural identity and native traditional skills.
Lifestyles, attitudes, effects on health, and survival of individuals are often influenced by socio-environmental variables beyond the scope of healthcare systems. Wellness industry expansion could really help in addressing the increasing worldwide health epidemic, enhance public health, and strengthen the economic viability of the healthcare sector.
Mitigation of the growing expense of healthcare. Healthcare spending in countries across the world is, at an unsustainable pace, fueled by the increase in people living with chronic diseases and mental disorders. The best way to tackle significant risk factors is wellness projects that rely on preventive practices and healthier habits.
Enhancing equity in health through community engagement of wellness employees. Since they are active, trustworthy, and rooted in the neighborhoods they represent, community health workers are ideally placed to better translate dietary recommendations and safe lifestyle practices to local environments, offer a culture-based framework for health messaging, and participate in mental wellbeing discussions.
Postgraduate Dissertation 49 Tackling the increasing crisis of mental health. Wellness phenomenon is a driving influence drawing focus around the globe to the increase in depression, anxiety, isolation, and other mental health disorders.
Embracing and utilizing the awareness of practices and methods of indigenous wellness. Development in the fitness sector encourages the renaissance, modernization, and pervasiveness of various health practices and therapeutic modalities from countries across the globe. For instance, traditional Asian practices, traditional Chinese Medicine, Tibetan medicine, yoga, meditation, tai chi, etc. have become popular and available in countries worldwide.
When wellness customers are increasingly informed and perceptive, they continue to think more about where goods come from, how items are made, and how local residents and societies affect their purchases. The growth of the wellness movement creates opportunities for cities and areas to preserve and draw upon their valuable natural and cultural properties as an economic growth tool.
Security of the climate. It is widely recognized that human wellness is inseparably related to the well-being of the planet. Wellness goods, facilities, and companies are now continually centered on quality and environmental protection while supplying the customer with wellness and well-being. Areas and legislators are urged to adopt sustainable growth policies that ensure a protected and sustainable environment.
Maintain and cherish the local history and culture. Wellness customers are finding products that are genuine, natural, and original; wellness markets and companies are gradually embracing and cultivating local cultures and traditions instead of just mass- produced products in response. This, in addition, encourages national initiatives to create culture, diversity and inclusion, life quality as well as market differentiation through the place-based branding and the exploration of innovative local cultural-rooted goods and services in the areas of self-care, nutritious and medicinal.
Alleviate problems connected with the tourism. Effective creation of wellness tourism depends on eco- and socially-sustainable destinations that conserve and promote the special nature and local culture of the region. Wellness attracts tourists with higher consumption habits, interest in getting off the usual path, and interest in off-season travel. Hence it presents opportunities for areas to tackle a variety of growing challenges in relation to tourism, which include seasonal variation, mass tourism, and over-tourism. The numerous
Postgraduate Dissertation 50 thermal spring resources in Asia, Latin America, Europe, and other regions, in general, provide opportunities to transmit the beneficial effects of wellness to regions that are less- visited.
The wellness revolution draws a sharp focus on the vital connection between health and well-being for individuals and profitability and success for the industry. Wellness in the workforce is a booming sector of the wellness market that is evolving innovative ideas and approaches that support both companies and their workers.
Our living conditions have a tremendous effect on the individual way of life, behaviors, health, happiness, and also on relationships, societies, and social capital. As the green or sustainable building concept has moved from niche to widespread over the past few years, the latest wellness real estate trend is starting to shift towards growth, through infrastructure and planning solutions with human-focused priorities that collectively increase the quality of life and person, society, and planet's well-being.
Viewing the economic benefits of wellness tourism, most governments around the globe are interested in investing in local infrastructure growth to gain more international wellness tourists from developed countries. They need to develop improved roads, public transport, water and sanitation systems, etc. to satisfy high-end wellness visitors. Updated infrastructure not only promotes tourism but also raises the local residents' standard of living.
In addition, certain wellness destinations influence international travelers and compel them to visit the place from time to time or even inspire them towards becoming permanent citizens of that destination or city, which means increasing demand for housing and other necessary resources and consequently overall growth (Global Wellness Institute).
3. The city of Trikala
3.1 General characteristics
The wider area of Trikala offers a variety of tourist attractions such as natural landscapes, cultural heritage monuments, sports, and other activities.
Postgraduate Dissertation 51 The composition of its tourist product (ecosystems of high aesthetic, ecological, physical, cultural, and historical value), in combination with the climatic conditions, enforces its tourist utilization for all seasons.
Places of great interest are the city of Trikala, Kalambaka, Pyli and the traditional villages of Pindos and Acheloos (Aspropotamos), Elati and Pertouli with remarkable tourist infrastructure and many opportunities for winter tourism, as they have mountain shelters and ski resorts.
Meteora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a place of visit for travelers and tourists who want to admire the imposing shape of this rare geological phenomenon. They also attract the interest of mountaineers as they are an excellent climbing site.
3.2 Sights
The Asclepieion of ancient Trikki. The oldest and most important in Greece, according to Strabo. It is probably located below the Varoussi district. At present, Roman baths and mosaics have been excavated in the area, as well as a public building of the Hellenistic period with a mosaic, which depicts the king of the Idons of Thrace, Lykourgos.
The Byzantine Castle of the city. It was built by Justinian on the ancient Acropolis of Trikki during the 6th century AD., with a triple wall. It was later rebuilt by the Ottomans, who in the 17th century also placed a huge clock on a tower, accompanied by a 650-kilogram bell. In 1936, another clock was placed by the mayor Theodosopoulos, and the trademark of the city remains to this day. In the third decoration of the fortress, from the bottom of a well, begins a tunnel that crossed the hill of Prophet Elias and ended on the road to Kalambaka. Today the Fortress hosts the open-air theater of the Municipality, while the clock can be visited with a view of the whole city.
The Osman Shah Mosque. 16th-century building designed by Mimar Sinan. The mosque is also called Kursum Mosque from the Turkish word kursum, which means lead, as its dome is lead-covered. It is located near the Litheos River and behind the mosque is the mausoleum of Osman Shah, the nephew of Sultan Suleiman, which is an octagonal plan building covered with a hemispherical dome. According to tradition, Osman Shah built the mosque because in Trikala he was cured of an illness that afflicted him. Near the Kursum Mosque, next to the Temple of St. Constantine, is the Hamam of Osman Shah, and together
Postgraduate Dissertation 52 with the mosque was part of a complex of buildings, founded by the commander of the Sandzak of Trikala, Osman Shah. After transformations in the form of the building, the city's prisons were hosted there from 1893 to 2006. Now the hammam has been restored and is open to the public, while the upper floor of the building houses the Tsitsani Museum. The mosque is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and serves as a venue for mild events.
Figure 6: The Osman Shah Mosque
The old town. It consists of the districts of Varousi and old Manavika. Varousi is located on the outskirts of the Fortress. During the Turkish occupation, it was a Christian district until the 1930s, the aristocratic neighborhood of Trikala, and today it is preserved in its entirety. The old Barousian houses built between the 17th and 19th centuries and the numerous churches reflect the economic and cultural flourishing of the 18th and 19th centuries, which was the result of the development of trade and crafts.
Continuation of the Varoussi district up to the main square is the old Manavika (grocery stores), a neighborhood of the old town with characteristic, uniform architecture. There are located some of the best taverns and coffee bars in the city.
The Litheos river crosses the center and divides the city in two, while the Central Bridge connects the main square with the pedestrian street of Asklipiou and is built in 1886 by French engineers. Characteristic is the statue of Asclepius on the homonymous bridge of Litheos.
Postgraduate Dissertation 53
Figure 7: The Central Bridge of Trikala Figure 8: The statue of Asclepius
Kalambaka. Kalambaka is a town in the prefecture of Trikala and the capital of the homonymous Municipality. It is located in the center of Greece and extends to the northwestern part of the Thessalian plain. It is built next to the rare geological phenomenon of Meteora, while the Pinios river passes near it. It has been inhabited since ancient times under the name Aeginio. Every year more than 2,000,000 tourists visit Kalambaka. Kalambaka is a city with a rich history and famous monuments. It is a base for its visitors who want to get to know the monuments and the beautiful locations of Aspropotamos, Hasia, Koziakas, and mainly Meteora. Kalambaka is known all over Greece and the world by the famous Monasteries that are built on the tops of the rocks of Meteora and are located east and north of it. Millions of visitors flock from all over the world every year to admire and worship them.
Figure 10: Holy Trinity Monastery Figure 9: St. Stephens’s Monastery
Postgraduate Dissertation 54 Theopetra Cave. 4 km from Kalambaka ισ located the cave of Theopetra. It is at an altitude of 280 meters from the sea, and its main chamber is about 500 square meters. Archaeological research shows that the cave was first inhabited during the Middle Paleolithic and was inhabited continuously until the Neolithic period around 3000 BC. Excavations at the cave have revealed a number of impressive findings. The famous human footprints of Theopetra are considered to be of particular importance.
Paleokarya Bridge. Imposing and beautiful, the bridge of Paleokarya with its two artificial waterfalls has been standing there since the 16th century. It is a single-arched stone bridge 26 meters long. The waterfall behind the bridge is 12 meters high, and the falling water creates a beautiful, awe-inspiring image. In front of the bridge of Paleokarya, there is a stretcher, a place that is suitable for a short stay in the area. Many families and nature lovers choose this place for spring excursions in nature or even to dine outdoors.
Figure 11: Paleokarya Bridge
3.3 Museums
Municipal Folklore Museum. It was founded in 1991 and operates at 6. Garibaldi Street. The collection also includes photographs and publications of the same period, while the museum, in collaboration with the Association of Friends of the Folklore Museum, organizes events and revivals of traditional customs.
Municipal Historical Sports Museum. It was founded in 1998 based on the collectibles of Vassilis Peligos, the archive of Spyros Bonotis, and donations of athletes and anonymous people. It is housed in a two-floor neoclassical building, and the presentation of the exhibits is structured in three rooms, where the sports' history of Trikala from 1896 until today is presented. There is also a Trophy Hall of the local sports as well as a reading room with a library and multimedia.
Postgraduate Dissertation 55 Museum of the Holy Metropolis. It is housed in the Metropolitan Palace of the city and consists of the following rooms: Ecclesiastical Museum, with ecclesiastical items, icons and vestments, Folk Museum with folklore and everyday objects of previous years, and Library that also functions as a reading room open to the public and includes 19,000 titles.
Matsopoulos Mill. It was built in 1884, and today is a historic-industrial park and cultural center. It also houses the Municipal Cinema and Theater as well as a conference center and every Christmas the “Mill of the Elves”.
Figure 12: Matsopoulos Mill (Mill of the elves)
Tsitsani Museum. Next to the river Litheos, on the upper floor of the old prisons, operates the Research Center - Museum “Vassilis Tsitsanis” dedicated to the life and work of the great Greek composer and lyricist. A work inspired by the life of the people, full of images and emotions that are reflected through the dozens of songs of rare beauty and authenticity.
Figure 13: Tsitsani Museum
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3.4 Alternative tourism in Trikala
Trikala is one of the most popular winter holiday destinations where you can visit during the summer, offering a variety of alternative forms of tourism, such as nature, culture, sports, winter tourism, rural tourism, religious tourism, etc.
The wider area of Trikala attracts tourists who are interested in sports and winter tourism, as there is a multitude of tourists’ needs that can be covered by the following structures:
Mountaineering Shelters:
In Koziakas, in the place “Astrapi”, the shelter HATZIPETROU, altitude 1,738, with a capacity of 15 people, fireplaces and stoves, kitchen, spring water, toilets outside. In Trigia, in the “Spring Closure” location, the TPIGIA shelter, altitude 1,400, with a capacity of 32 people, fireplaces and stoves, kitchen, spring water, toilets inside.
Ski Center: In Koziakas, at the location “Pertouliotika Livadia”, altitude 1,170-1,340. It has three tracks, two slides, and one airlift, chalet (restaurant, coffee bar), ski school, ski equipment rental shop, parking.
Sports: Climbing to Meteora. Every year, thousands of climbers make appointments in Meteora to climb the impressive rocks, choosing one of the hundreds of different difficulty levels. Dupiani is the most well-known climbing field, but there are still many places to climb. Other sports include hiking, mountain biking, rappel, rafting, canoe kayaking, horseback riding, and archery.
3.5 SWOT Analysis of Trikala
SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis is a framework used to evaluate a company's competitive position and to develop strategic planning. SWOT analysis assesses internal and external factors, as well as current and future potential (www.investopedia.com). For a better interpretation of the following findings, Trikala should be considered as a company that examines the potentials of operating in the field of alternative tourism.
Strengths:
The geographic location of the prefecture.
Postgraduate Dissertation 57 Easy access to the city with relatively good road and rail network, with possibilities for advancement. Wealthy heritage in terms of nature and environment. Intense cultural life and events. Emphasis on the use of emerging technology. Ever-increasing tourist visits to the prefecture's mountainous region (Elati, Pertouli, Meteora).
Weaknesses:
There is a lack of primary analyses and integrated planning, as well as systems of monitoring, information, and research concerning the use of the natural environment. Creation of tourist facilities (accommodation) without taking the appropriate care to develop-provide other corresponding services available. Small percentage of properly educated staff in the tourism sector.
Opportunities:
Developing new types of tourism would help to minimize the desertification of agricultural, mountainous, and semi-rural regions Development of tourism will encourage the creation of skills which, in addition to tourism, will allow the increase of employment and job positions in other parts of the tertiary sector. Avoiding isolation through the creation of tourism infrastructures will enhance population retention and provide new opportunities for further economic development in mountainous and remote areas. Developing alternative forms of tourism based on local resources (natural, cultural, traditions, lifestyle, etc.) will help to save the region's traditional image and integrate tourism into the region's social, cultural, and economic fabric. The creation of unique tourist packages that can use natural resources or culture as a specific tourist tool and put tourists into interaction with Thessaly's natural environment, monuments, rituals, and practices will be an important motivation for the protection and replication of cultural and natural resources where possible. Cooperation between hoteliers and local investments in the primary or secondary sector would promote the local economy, ensuring a local demand for goods and
Postgraduate Dissertation 58 services manufactured and provided in the area, thereby improving and ensuring the quality of what is offered to the tourist.
Threats:
Tourist traffic increase only in certain developed areas. The growth of tourism in many areas has led to land uses being modified, disputes being generated, and the traditional economy being altered. The provision of poor quality services risks the profitability of the region's tourism commodity, as it reduces the tourist’s satisfaction with fair long-term negative outcomes. 4. Research Methodology and Results
4.1 Purpose of the research
The first and main purpose of this research is to record the actual structure and organization of the market for the product of thermal/wellness tourism, as well as to assess its development potential in the area of Trikala, from the aspect of existing regional businesses (hotels and guesthouses) in the tourism sector. To answer research questions such as how feasible seems the idea of exploiting a thermal resource in the context of thermal/wellness tourism in Trikala, what prospects are being developed in Trikala for its development, to demonstrate the necessity and benefits for the regional tourism through its development and through the collaboration with local tourism businesses, as well as to demonstrate potential weaknesses of the model, which are a barrier to the effort to develop this form of tourism, in order to offer practical suggestions and guidance, not only through the analysis of the relevant literature but also through the practical research and analysis of data using qualitative and mostly quantitative criteria.
It also explores the potentials of thermal/wellness tourism’s financial contribution to the overall development of Trikala and therefore of Greece, especially in the context of a generalized economic crisis, where new resources and ways of job growth are constantly being sought to increase the revenues of the state since tourism is an important source of revenue. Consequently, this research focuses on capturing the potentials of exploiting the thermal resource of Trikala as an alternative form of tourism, through the opinion of the local massive tourism sector and their interest to collaborate and benefit from this effort.
Postgraduate Dissertation 59 Summarizing the above statements, the crucial questions that the research is called to answer are:
How developed is the alternative tourism in Trikala, and in what forms? Are there any thermal springs in the broader area that could be utilized towards the development of wellness tourism? Which way of exploitation of the thermal resource could meet the tourism development objectives of the area? Could the creation of a thermal/spa center meet the above objectives, and in what way? What is the opinion of the businesses involved in the sector? What are the benefits of the tourist sector and the whole prefecture’s economy in general?
4.2 Research methodology
A questionnaire was created to conduct this dissertation survey. Depending on the data collection process, the questionnaire is a way of communication between the researcher and the respondent, either directly or indirectly. The Questionnaire Method was considered to be the most suitable method for this data collection, which enables info to be transmitted and collected in a relatively short period of time.
The Prefecture of Trikala includes about 140 tourist accommodations (hotels, guesthouses, rental rooms). According to the evaluation index (stars*), 90 accommodation businesses were chosen (businesses with the most stars*), in which the questionnaire was delivered by e-mail. 71 answered questionnaires were finally collected. The questionnaire includes 31 questions with provided answers. In 6 of the questions, the respondents were required to pick 1 of the answers presented, and in 2 of them, they were allowed to choose more than one answer. For each of the remaining 25 rated questions, each respondent was requested to determine the degree of their agreement, with the following questions noting a single choice in every statement, from 1 to 5, where 1 = Not at all, 2 = A little, 3 = Enough, 4 = A lot, 5 = Very much. The questionnaire has been conducted and edited by the researcher and includes some demographic questions (concerning the operation of the businesses and their visitors) and mainly topic-centered inquiring questions.
Postgraduate Dissertation 60 Consideration was granted to three main parameters while developing the questionnaire, such as:
The extent to which the questionnaire encourages completing it and thus the response index. The questions are structured in such a way as to be easy for the responders to understand and answer clearly. The questionnaire design to facilitate the coding and the study of data.
Within this research, there was a clear reference to the participants' personal details regarding their protection. The researcher attributed to maintaining and preserving the anonymity of the participants, and all information was handled with total confidentiality.
4.3 Data analysis
Quantitative analysis criteria were used for the statistical analysis of the survey data and for the answers to the questionnaire. The analysis of the data was carried out with the statistical package of excel (Data analysis of excel). After collecting the data, they were registered in the corresponding excel database. Descriptive statistics were performed, with the calculation of absolute and relative frequencies, means of values, standard deviation, mediums, as well as the corresponding graphs for the best presentation of the results.
A total of 71 hotel and guesthouse owners participated in the survey. Of these, 33 are active for more than 5 years in the tourism sector, 16 are active for 3-5 years, 16 are active for 1-2 years, and 6 of them less than 1 year; that is 46.5%, 22.5%, 22.5% respectively.
Question: How long have you been involved in tourism sector?
Figure 14: Years of professional activity in the tourism sector
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In the second question, about which of the following categories most visitors of the wider area of Trikala belong to, there is a percentage of agreement between the respondents 74.6%
Question: To which of the following categories do most visitors belong concerning the wider area of Trikala?
Figure 15: Categories that most visitors of the wider area of Trikala belong to
As for the question of how seasonal is the tourism of a wider area of Trikala, 40 owners (56.3%) answered that it is from “a lot” to “very much” seasonal. We have to note that there is also a significant percentage (28,2) that responded that there is enough seasonality in the area’s tourism.
Question: Do you think that the tourism of the wider area of Trikala is seasonal?
Figure 16: Area’s tourism seasonality
Asked about the degree of developed alternative tourism in the region of Trikala, the majority of the respondents (92.9%) agree that the alternative is from “a little” to “enough” developed.
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Question: How developed is the alternative tourism in the prefecture of Trikala and the wider region?
Figure 17: Degree of developed alternative tourism in Trikala
In the question about the forms of alternative tourism that are most developed in Trikala, the respondents agreed that the forms that meet the highest development at the moment are Religious tourism (87.1%), Adventure trips and activities (58.6%), Sports tourism (58.6%), and Geotourism and Cultural tourism (38.6%)
Question: Which of the following forms of alternative tourism have been developed in the area?
Figure 18: Developed alternative forms of tourism in Trikala
Asked about the regional supporting infrastructures of the alternative tourism, 38.6 % of the respondents answered that there are few infrastructures, and 45.7% answered that there are enough infrastructures for the support of alternative tourism.
Postgraduate Dissertation 63 Question: Do you think that there are infrastructures to support alternative tourism in the wider area of Trikala?
Figure 19: Degree of supporting infrastructures of alternative tourism in Trikala
In the question about the provision of the following wellness services at the facilities of their accommodation businesses, the majority of the owners (54.9%) responded that none of them is provided at their facilities.
Question: Choose which of the following services are provided at your accommodation facilities:
Figure 20: Offered wellness services at the facilities of the inquired owners
As it concerns the knowledge of the existence of a thermal resource in the area of Trikala, after the related question, most of the respondents (70.4%) answered “yes”.
Postgraduate Dissertation 64 Question: Do you have knowledge of the existence of a thermal resource (spring) in the area of Trikala?
Figure 21: Knowledge related to the existence of thermal resource in Trikala
In addition, owners were asked to use their experience in the sector in order to choose the rate of expected demand for the following wellness services in a future thermal center in Trikala. The service that is considered to attract the most visitors (after data analysis) is “Thermal baths” (4,49/5). The service that collected the lowest grade of demand is “Leisure activities such as painting, dancing, etc.” (2,59/5).
Question: To what extent do you think the following services would be in demand in the thermal resource?
Figure 22: Expected rate of service demand in the Thermal Center
Postgraduate Dissertation 65 A significant advantage of a thermal/spa center creation in Trikala, which gathered a high percentage of positive answers is the enforcement of regional touristic development since the 36.6% of the respondents answered “a lot” and the 39.4% answered, “very much”.
Question: How much do you think that the creation of a spa center will help the tourist development of the prefecture of Trikala?
Figure 23: Degree of tourism development in Trikala through the creation of a thermal/wellness center
Concerning the question about the effect on demand for additional tourist services such as restaurants, shopping, and more, through the creation of a thermal center, most respondents (57.7%) answered “very much”.
Question: Do you think that the use and exploitation of the thermal resource will affect the demand for additional tourist services (such as catering, shopping of local products, etc.)?
Figure 24: Additional demand for tourist services and products due to the thermal center
In the question about the degree of attraction of new investments in the area through the creation of the thermal center, a high percentage of the respondents (52.1%) answered “a lot”.
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Question: Will the establishment of a Thermal/Spa Center attract new investments in the region?
Figure 25: Degree of new investments attraction due to the creation of a thermal center
Furthermore, the participants of the research were asked to answer the question of how much will the existence of a thermal center help the economic growth of Trikala. Most of the respondents (43.7%) stated that it would help “a lot” towards the direction of growth.
Question: Will the existence and operation of a Thermal/Spa Center contribute to the economic growth of the region?
Figure 26: Rate of thermal center’s boost to the local economy.
One of the questions researched the belief of the respondents to the competitive advantage that will be offered by the collaboration with the thermal center in the context of visitors accommodation to the existent hotels/guestrooms and the provision of thermal and wellness services by the thermal center. The majority of them (53.5%) answered “a lot” as we can see to the following graph.
Postgraduate Dissertation 67 Question: Do you think that you will gain a competitive advantage over competing companies in case you participate in a cooperation program with the Thermal/Spa Center?
Figure 27: Intensity of the competitive advantage gained by the collaboration between the respondents and the thermal center
The next question concerns the intensity of positive effects from the existence and operation of a thermal center to the employment and new jobs. The respondents answered, “a lot” at a high percentage of 52.1%.
Question: Will employment and new jobs be positively affected by the creation of a Thermal/Spa Center in the area?
Figure 28: Intensity of effect on employment and new jobs
The participants of the survey were also asked to state the rate of expansion in the tourism seasonality of Trikala in case of thermal resource exploitation and the creation of a thermal center. The higher percentage of the respondents (50.7%) answered “a lot”.
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Question: Will the tourist season in the wider area of Trikala be affected (expanded) with the coexistence of a Thermal/Spa Center?
Figure 29: Intensity of effect on tourism seasonality
In the question about the rate that the thermal center will evolve into a new point of interest, the majority of them answered from “enough” to “very much” as follows:
Question: To what extent will the creation of a modern Thermal/Spa in the area be a new point of interest?
Figure 30: The thermal Center as a new point of interest
The next question concerns the interest of the participants in cooperating with the future thermal center in the context that was described before at the issue of comparative advantage. The majority of the respondents (45.1%) agreed that they are “very much” interested in participating in such a concept.
Postgraduate Dissertation 69 Question: To what extent would you view positively the possibility of your participation in a program of cooperation with the Thermal/Spa Center?
Figure 31: Interest in collaborating with the thermal center
After that, the participants were asked to answer if they believe that the occupancy in their accommodation facilities will be increased (how much?) in the so-called “dead seasons” due to the coexistence and cooperation with a thermal center on the broader area. Most of them agreed (57.7%), stating that the occupancy will be increased “a lot”.
Question: Do you think that the occupancy of the tourist accommodation in the area will increase during the so-called “dead periods” through cooperation with a modern Thermal/Spa Center?
Figure 32: Increase in occupancy of existent facilities due to the operation of a thermal center
The next question refers to the support of local agencies and the state for the development and exploitation of the thermal resource and how important it is. Most of the participants (47.1%) answered “a lot,” and a bit fewer (31.4%) answered “very much”.
Postgraduate Dissertation 70 Question: How important do you consider the support of local agencies and the state for the development of the Thermal Resource?
Figure 33: Level of importance of local agencies’ and state’s support for the exploitation and development of the thermal resource
In the last question, the participants were asked to state which of the following schemes would be more efficient and feasible for the exploitation of the thermal resource. The majority of the respondents (58.6%) preferred the scheme of cooperation between the local agencies, the state, and a private investor.
Question: What would be, in your opinion, the best model for the development of the Thermal Resource?
Figure 34: Best scheme for the exploitation and development of the thermal resource
4.4 Discussion of results
Market research in the area's hotels has shown considerable value in developing a Thermal/Spa Center. Most of the accommodation facilities do not have spa facilities so that they would benefit from a wellness center operating in the city. At the same time, they agree that concentrating on wellness and health services would help boost wellness tourism, resulting in improved occupancy during the low season. The hotel representatives expressed their great willingness to participate and consider the establishment of a Thermal
Postgraduate Dissertation 71 Center of utmost importance for the region. The thermal center in Rizoma can be a pole of attraction, due to the specialized services it will provide, in addition to the usual treatment methods and uses of the waters of the thermal spring. The majority of the survey’s participants agreed on the high demand of the most services of health and wellness that were being suggested through the questionnaire and concern the potential establishment of a thermal center, (such as yoga, spa, thermal baths, hydromassage, sauna, massage/hammam, physiotherapy care, outdoor activities).
Through the research and the answers of the hoteliers, which indicate a decrease in seasonality and rise of regional tourist development, it may also be concluded that there will also be noted an increase in tourist traffic in the area of Trikala. In addition, most participants agree with the creation of a modern thermal/spa center. As it is easy to understand, the implementation of a project that stands out for the Greek and European facts will be a milestone for the tourist development of the Municipality of Trikala. Its appearing evolution to a new point of interest for the wider area of Trikala (according to the respondents) makes sure that its contribution to the overall development of the region will be remarkable and will make it an essential destination for domestic and hopefully European and international tourism.
Attracting different groups of the population to the Rizoma thermal resource. As it has been referred before, the thermal and wellness tourism attracts people of all the age groups. Overall, heterogeneity will arise in the usual tourist public of Trikala as it will consist of visitors from different backgrounds with different interests. Furthermore, most of the respondents consider the support of local agencies important for the exploitation of the thermal resource and the potential thermal center. Support of local agencies usually includes the improvement of road networks, public infrastructures, etc. In addition, according to the participants of the research, the exploitation of the thermal resource is expected to contribute towards the touristic and economic development of the area, concluding that, after that, most of them will be willing to upgrade their accommodation facilities. The integrated public and private facilities of the area will fulfill the wishes of more potential tourists, thus achieving a greater range of visitors.
Postgraduate Dissertation 72 Reduction of seasonality of the tourist traffic in the area of Trikala. Thermal/spa centers are able to be visited every time of the year and by different age group visitors. Greater diversity in the incoming population will bring uniformity to the rates of traffic in the area, as the time when the different groups of tourists visit the area of Trikala is defined according to their specific destination. The above statements are confirmed by the respondents through the questions concerning the seasonality and the increase of occupancy during “dead” seasons, which results from the exploitation of the thermal resource and the potential establishment of a thermal center.
Strengthening the local economy. A local economy consists of an interdependent network of enterprises, which is influenced by the current conditions of the domestic market and interactions. The construction of a large thermal center that will attract a large number of visitors will contribute to the development of the local economy through consumption in businesses, mainly of a tourist nature, and will promote entrepreneurship. There will be local economic development, as tourists who will visit Trikala to use the services of the thermal center in Rizoma, will make use of additional tourist services, such as restaurants or other similar food service operations, entertainment venues, local transport, local products, etc. The above conclusions are supported by the hoteliers of the research who agreed with their answer to the questions about the economic development and the effect on additional tourist services or products that result from the utilization of the thermal resource as a thermal center.
The majority of the hoteliers who participated in the research operate their accommodation facilities for over five years, and consequently, they have significant experience in the sector in order to transmit this gravity to their answers too. In their opinion, the highest percentage of area’s tourists are people of all ages and of different backgrounds (families with children, young people or groups, older people or groups, individual visitors). In the second place comes the group of families with children and in the last place comes the group of elderly visitors with a low percentage (2.8%). In addition, according to the international trends of wellness tourism that were presented in the 2nd chapter, the age group of over 60 years old is the one that holds the reins of visiting spa facilities all over Europe. Since most of the respondents would suggest the creation of a thermal/spa center for the exploitation of
Postgraduate Dissertation 73 the thermal resource of Trikala, it means that the choice to facilitate accessibility for people belonging to vulnerable social groups (disabled, the elderly, people with reduced mobility, etc.) is a unilateral decision. By providing vulnerable social groups with the opportunity to visit the thermal center, the regular attendance of a particular audience is ensured, which can enjoy the healing services of the thermal source and benefit from them. Since these groups are a major target group, accessibility facilitation becomes extremely important.
According to the literature review and the international trends presented in a previous chapter, the most common perception of exploitation of a thermal resource is the construction of a modern thermal/spa center providing healing and wellness services. This led the researcher to include several questions about the opinion of the area’s accommodation businesses of the tourist sector concerning the exploitation of the thermal resource as a thermal/spa center. One step beyond was the approach of researching the interest of the above businesses in a collaboration program with the potential thermal center since global efforts are made towards the direction of parallel development of wellness tourism with other alternative forms of tourism and massive tourism. In both the above “suggestions”, the correspondence of the participants was really encouraging. Thus, a significant conclusion of the research is that the hotel and tourism businesses that will participate in the program of cooperation with the Rizoma Spa Center will create a competitive advantage over those who will not participate because they will provide additional spa services with thermal waters, which they did not have in their infrastructure. Over time, more and more companies will be motivated to join, making the Trikala area a prominent destination for wellness tourism.
The majority of the respondents supported the above tourism development strategy, will provide promotion of local entrepreneurship and employment by creating new jobs. In addition, due to the great potential of tourist interest, new investments in tourism infrastructure will be made in alternative forms of tourism, making the character of the tourist development of the wider area of Trikala sustainable.
The participants were given the opportunity to choose which of the proposed models is the most suitable for the development of the thermal resource and, therefore, the potential
Postgraduate Dissertation 74 construction of the thermal/spa center. Through their significant experience in the tourism sector, their proposal is clearly (58.6%) towards the collaboration between the local agencies, the state, and a private investor.
Finally, in the context of data analysis, the researcher examined the statistical dependence between the answers on important questions of the questionnaire based on the effect of thermal resource exploitation and the potential establishment of a thermal/spa center in Trikala. The data of the research were imported to SPSS software and were tested using the Spearman test, for non-parametrical correlation since the data are ordinal and consequently non-subject to normal distribution. The variables that were chosen and correspond to the data of six crucial questions are:
Tourist development of Trikala (question 20: How much do you think that the creation of a spa center will help the tourist development of the prefecture of Trikala?) Effect on additional services’ demand (question 21: Do you think that the use and exploitation of the thermal resource will affect the demand for additional tourist services such as catering, shopping of local products, etc.?) New investments (question 22: Will the establishment of a Thermal/Spa Center attract new investments in the region?) Economic growth of Trikala (question 23: Will the existence and operation of a Thermal/Spa Center contribute to the economic growth of the region?) Positive effect on employment and new jobs (question 25: Will employment and new jobs be positively affected by the creation of a Thermal/Spa Center in the area?) Extension of tourist season (question 26: Will the tourist season in the wider area of Trikala be affected (expanded) with the coexistence of a Thermal/Spa Center?).
The Hypotheses tested were:
H0: There is no statistically significant correlation between the two variables
H1: There is a statistically significant correlation between the two variables
Appendix B presents the related pivot table. The corresponding findings demonstrate a significant positive correlation between the above variables (in pairs) at the 0,01 level (2- tailed). For example, when examining the relationship between variables Tourist development of Trikala (question 20) and Extension of tourist season (question 26) we find that there is a strong positive correlation between the positive opinion on the effect of tourist
Postgraduate Dissertation 75 development of Trikala and the positive opinion about the extension of tourist season, which means that those who answer that the thermal/spa center will help the tourism development of Trikala also believe that the thermal/spa center will lead to the extension of tourist season. This indicates that hotel owners believe that the spa center will have benefits for the area of Trikala. The above findings in combination with the high percentages gathered by the responses of the participants on the positive impact of the factors described in the above questions lead to the strengthening of the main research conclusions concerning the frame of the wellness tourism development, the creation of a thermal/spa center, the need for “healthy” co-existence and cooperation with all the forms of tourism, and the benefits for the tourism sector and the prefecture’s economy.
4.5 Proposed model that meets the tourism development of the region
The following proposal is a hypothetical example among several ways of exploitation of the thermal resource and is based on the results of the above research towards the creation of a thermal center and its collaboration with the existent tourist accommodation facilities of the wider area of Trikala.
The model that will meet the strategic objectives for the tourism development of the region of Trikala will be based on the cooperation of the thermal/spa center that will be developed in Rizoma, with hotel units and tourist businesses of the region. Significant support and help to this program will be provided by the collaboration of local agencies, the state, and a potential private investor.
In particular, the hotels and accommodation facilities that will participate in the cooperation program will provide, under a schedule, part of their unoccupied rooms throughout the tourist season and especially during the low demand period provided the significant difference that the end-user during his stay in the hotel unit will have additional benefits. Specifically, for a certain amount of expenditures (for instance, 100 euros) that he will complete during his stay, he will be provided free of charge by some services of the Rizoma thermal center. It will be up to the hotelier to decide on the correspondence of the services of the spa center that will correspond to a certain amount of money per stay.
Postgraduate Dissertation 76 The logic is based on the incremental cost principle. In essence, the cost of maintaining an empty room does not differ significantly from the cost of maintaining it when it is full. Thus, it is advantageous for a hotel to attract occupancy by offering the unavailable room through the proposed program. The cost incurred by the owner of the hotel or accommodation facility to cover the offer that will be provided to the visitors per certain amount of euros of their stay for the use of the services of the thermal center in Rizoma will be compensated by the additional income from the increased occupancy. The hotel owner will be able to vary the number of rooms he will provide through this program.
However, in addition to the hotel units participating in the program, the Rizoma Spa Center will provide guests of all hotels (partners and non-partners) with a specific (e.g., 15%) discount on any of its services.
In addition, visitors to the thermal center will be given a discount coupon on the day of their visit for tourism businesses participating in the program, such as restaurants, business companies (e.g., Rafting, ski resort, etc. ), which will be valid only for the period of their visit to the center. The coupon will indicate the period of the visit to the wellness center, as well as the tourist companies that participate in the program. This particular pioneering strategy, which will create new data of reference in domestic wellness tourism, offers significant benefits to the Municipality of Trikala.
Benefits of hotel units and tourist businesses that will participate in the cooperation program with the thermal center:
Activation throughout their operation and increase their revenue Increase hotel occupancy Significant improvement of cash flow and business viability Creating incentives for interested entrepreneurs for the establishment of new units and the expansion and renovation of existing ones in the wider area of Trikala Hotels increase their fullness, thus covering part of the operating costs and maintenance costs, achieving significant profitability. As a result, sales of hotel services increase (catering, entertainment, etc.).
Postgraduate Dissertation 77 Reducing the dependence of hotels on tour operators The entrepreneur can take advantage of the occupancy of its facilities depending on supply and demand Differentiation of the strategy of shaping the sale price of the rooms is achieved, due to the increased demand in relation to the supply The business value of the hotel complex under these operating conditions rises sharply (increase in occupancy – financial liquidity) By joining the co-operation program with the Rizoma Thermal Center, hotel units and accommodation facilities automatically gain a definite competitive advantage over non-cooperating competitors.
Benefits for hotel guests in the area of Trikala:
Provision of free services at the facilities of the Rizoma Thermal Center per amount of money spent on accommodation in cooperating hotels and accommodation Throughout their staying in all accommodation facilities and hotels (cooperating or not) they will be provided by the wellness center a discount on any of the services provided In addition to the classic holidays, visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy alternative forms of tourism, such as spa and wellness tourism, winter sports, nature tourism, all at preferential prices.
Benefits for the visitors of the Rizoma Thermal/Spa Center:
Use of spa facilities and services with innovative specifications for the Greek facts, combining the therapeutic effects of the thermal waters of the Rizoma source with the specialized spa facilities Provided with a discount to tourism businesses, such as restaurants, souvenir shops, excursions, activities, museums, public transport, local cultural events, festivals, etc. participating in the program during their visit to the spa center
Benefits for the inhabitants of the wider area of Trikala:
Postgraduate Dissertation 78 New point of interest in the area of Trikala, which will be suitable not only for the use of the services of thermal baths, but also for relaxation and recreation facilities. Improving the living standards of the residents of Trikala and the surrounding areas, as they will benefit from the beneficial properties of thermal waters through the treatment and prevention of various diseases.
4.6 Potential problems of exploitation of the Thermal Resource in the prefecture of Trikala
As mentioned previously, the prefecture of Trikala has the inherent comparative advantages (natural environment, central location, archeological sites, culture, etc.) for the development of remarkable alternative forms of tourism, such as the creation of a thermal center, in order to be considered as an important tourist destination for visitors. However, implementation of such environmentally compatible forms of tourism can create serious problems in the structured and unstructured environment if some of the basic conditions necessary for the region's sustainable development are not met first (described in section 1.4). Representative possible issues adapted to the area’s characteristics are:
Anarchic growth of new types of tourism that do not permit action regulation. Tourist traffic increase in only several locations, such as Meteora and mountain settlements that are more utilized and developed than others. Construction approval and execution during expansion of tourist facilities, such as the establishment of the thermal center or other facilities which could have adverse environmental consequences. Visitors often are subject to dangers that risk their physical safety due to the potential inadequate training of their escorts. Creating competitive businesses that operate in areas of particular ecological value uncontrollably. Potential inappropriate use of infrastructure by the relevant authorities, which will finally be characterized as amateurs, without having appropriate education with their subject matter, while the visitors may be treated unprofessionally. Moreover, the expected rise in visitors and those professionally involved in tourism would enhance the expansion of the above-mentioned problems.
Postgraduate Dissertation 79 5. Conclusion
5.1 Summary
The researcher began the present survey studying the sector of tourism in general. Afterward, he made a review of the alternatives forms of tourism, focusing on health and wellness tourism. A special report was made to wellness tourism through the analysis of the current conditions and trends in Greece and internationally, as well as the impact of wellness tourism on regional growth. The researcher’s focal point went from the “forest” to the “tree”, presenting the tourism facts of the prefecture of Trikala and the unexploited at the moment, but a very promising thermal resource. The SWOT analysis made a significant contribution to the survey of the area concerning alternative tourism. The above literature review helped to understand the international tendency towards the development of wellness tourism in general and especially in regions away from the large urban centers with massive tourism and over-tourism. In addition, defining the opportunities and threats (SWOT analysis) of Trikala, we better understand the feasibility and possibility of alternative tourism development and especially the potential of wellness tourism. Next step of the dissertation was the opinion of the regional accommodation businesses concerning significant research questions such as the level of the current development of alternative tourism in the prefecture of Trikala, the exploitation of the local thermal resource towards the development of the tourism sector, the way of their exploitation following the tourism development objectives, the potential creation of a thermal/spa center and the conditions of co-existence with all the forms of tourism in the area, and finally the benefits of wellness tourism development for the tourism sector and the overall regional economy. The results of the above research, as discussed in the previous chapter, demonstrate a strong belief of the regional tourism sector to the need for wellness tourism development and its beneficial advantages for the sector and the area. Special interest on behalf of the tourism sector was also noted in cooperating with the potential thermal/spa center on the purpose of the collective benefit of those involved. The above results led the researcher to conduct a hypothetical model of a thermal/spa operation in the thermal resource towards the tourism development of Trikala. Finally, the overall conclusion of the dissertation is that despite some local limitations of the area at the moment, the future of wellness tourism seems to be significantly promising and strongly beneficial for the tourism sector and the total economy of the prefecture of Trikala. Furthermore, the creation of a thermal/spa center seems to be
Postgraduate Dissertation 80 favorable exploitation of the local thermal resource, which meets the objectives of regional tourism sustainable development.
5.2 Further conclusions
The exploitation and utilization of the thermal spring in Rizoma through the creation of a super-modern Thermal Center will complement the tourist profile of the wider area of Trikala, turning it into a unique destination that combines thermal tourism and wellness tourism with various forms of alternative tourism.
Visitors to Trikala and the surrounding areas will have the opportunity to combine their classic holidays, or the offered alternative forms of tourism with the thermal services provided by the hydrotherapy center in Rizoma. Tourists visiting the Ski Center, sports teams, sports clubs, etc. will have an additional incentive to extend their stay in order to enjoy the facilities of the Thermal/Spa Center.
Trikala has tourist infrastructure in accommodation (hotels, hostels, suites, rooms to let) and tourist businesses (restaurants, souvenir shops, cafes, leisure centers, etc.), where tourist traffic is increased during the winter. With the establishment of the Thermal/Wellness Center in Rizoma, tourists will have the opportunity to visit Trikala and throughout the tourist season, as the tourist profile of Trikala will acquire a thermal/therapeutic character.
The Thermal Resource of Rizoma is an extension of medical tourism, shaping the term health and wellness tourism. The wide variety and quality of services provided have the potential to attract both the patient audience seeking alternative treatment and the population groups that focus on wellness and relaxation, thus being a mixed pole of attraction. The geomorphological uniqueness of this location makes the Thermal Resource usable and promising for domestic and, hopefully, international interest.
Rizoma Spa Center will be a conscious destination of health and wellness, but also medical care, while at the same time, it has the ability to upgrade the domestic tourist image, thus forming a developed and complete set of services and facilities for visitors. As part of this ensemble, but also as a pioneer for the Greek facts project, will compose a nationally renowned product with an international tourist orientation.
The integration of a Thermal Center in Rizoma completes the characterization of Trikala as “the city of Asclepius and Medicine”.
Postgraduate Dissertation 81 5.3 Limitations of the research
The results of this research need to be treated with caution, as they are subject to restrictions. The selection of the hotels and accommodation facilities that participated in the research is a significant part of the regional tourism sector, but not the only one. Thus the results and the findings of the survey were generalized with reservation. An additional restriction concerns representatives’ responses to the closed-ended questions, in which they have chosen answers that are acceptable, but may not represent their full perceptions on the topic since they did not have the choice of developing their full thoughts. In addition, the restriction of participants to closed-ended answers and proposals did not allow for an in- depth discussion of the representatives’ choices since the reasons for choosing their responses were not disclosed. The sample of the research is relatively small, and the researcher could ask or prepare and implement some significant interviews with important local agencies (Municipality of Trikala, Prefecture of Trikala, etc.), that was inevitable due to the pandemic.
5.4 Proposals for further research
Future research needs to further investigate and confirm the above initial findings by conducting both quantitative and qualitative studies that will validly and reliably capture market’s new trends and development in order to ensure the sustainability of such an investment as the creation of Thermal/Wellness Center in the wider area of Trikala. It is proposed in order to achieve the above goal, the development of tools that will make the necessary measurements and will end up a specific model for the exploitation of the thermal resource. Thus, further research is needed in order to take a clear picture of the specific provided services of the Thermal Center and the necessary infrastructures. In addition, economic and technical research is needed in order to examine the budget for the construction of the infrastructures of the thermal Center, the operating costs, the number of staffing, and the identification of the best investment program.
Postgraduate Dissertation 82 Bibliography
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Postgraduate Dissertation 85 Appendix A: Questionnaire
*Compulsory
More than one answers are acceptable
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More than one answers are acceptable
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More than one answers are acceptable
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Postgraduate Dissertation 94 Appendix B:
1. Location of thermal resource
The location of the existent thermal resource of Trikala (Rizoma)
Postgraduate Dissertation 95 2. Correlations
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Author’s Statement: I hereby declare that, in accordance with article 8 of Law 1599/1986 and article 2.4.6 par. 3 of Law 1256/1982, this thesis/dissertation is solely a product of personal work and does not infringe any intellectual property rights of third parties and is not the product of a partial or total plagiarism, and the sources used are strictly limited to the bibliographic references.
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