SLOVAK SPA in the CONTEXT of CHANGE – CURRENT CONDITIONS, ISSUES and CHALLENGES Matlovičová K.– Kolesárová J

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

SLOVAK SPA in the CONTEXT of CHANGE – CURRENT CONDITIONS, ISSUES and CHALLENGES Matlovičová K.– Kolesárová J Matlovičová K. , Kolesarová J. Židová A. (2013): Slovak spas in the context of change – current conditions, issues and challenges, in Dej M., Huculak M., Jarczewski W. (Eds) (2013): Recreational use of geothermal water in Visegrad Group countries, © Copyright by Institute of Urban Development, Kraków 2013, ISBN 978-83-89440-67-9, pp. 161 – 173 SLOVAK SPA IN THE CONTEXT OF CHANGE – CURRENT CONDITIONS, ISSUES AND CHALLENGES Matlovičová K.– Kolesárová J. – Židová A.1 Introduction Current literary resources offer many approaches to the definition of spa tourism. Basically, they can be divided into two groups. The first one is composed of views deriving the essence of this form of tourism from the water and its beneficial effects on the human health (thermal or mineral springs). This definition builds on the historical principle and stems from the origin of the name “spa”, which is an abbreviation derived from the Latin „sanitas per aqua“ (i.e. health through water) (Smith, Jenner 2000). Even today, some of the dictionaries define „spa“ as a place where the water has special minerals in it (e.g. Oxford Dictionary). By the gradual development and expansion of the range of therapeutic treatments, particularly of those nature-based, as a primary, in terms of differentiation of the term spa tourism, became the emphasizing of the medical, recovery and recuperative aspects associated with the stay in facilities specific by their location or equipment. In addition, these facilities have to meet a number of well-defined criteria and standards. In a broad sense (sensu largo) spa tourism is seen as a form of tourism, the main aim of which is the treatment, recovery and relieve of specific chronic diseases symptoms, and overall improvement of the physical or mental well-being. Although the current perception of the spa centres, in terms of achieving a certain degree of biological recovery, is much wider than in the past, after all, water of various types (healing, thermal as well as mineral or tapped water as a part of the swimming pools, whirlpools etc.) is considered to be their essential part. Spa tourism in Slovakia - a brief outline of the historical context Slovakia is considered a traditional spa destination within a European context, since the establishing of the first settlements located close to the thermal or mineral springs, has a long history. The first direct written documents providing evidence of the spa towns existence, include the documents from the era of Belo IV. from the year 1247 or there are also later ledgers of the early 16th century (Sedlák 1970). At that time, in 1549, J. Wernher also wrote the document „De admirandis Hungariae aquis hypomnemation“ (About the Miraculous Waters of the Hungarian Monarchy). Moreover, there is still preserved a report about mineral and thermal springs located in Austro- Hungarian monarchy which was written two centuries later, in 1763. (Eliašová, 2009, Rebro 1996). The oldest spa centres in Slovakia include Bardejovské kúpele, Bojnice, Piešťany, Sklené Teplice, Trenčianske Teplice and Turčianske Teplice. 18th century was an important milestone in the development of the spas in Slovakia. At that time, as a result of increased scientific research on the beneficial effects of mineral and thermal springs on the human health, the first spa centres were built (Husovská, 2001). Later on, these centres also served as potential places for rest and recreation. Slovak spa centres were thriving during the inter-war period. This was happening largely thanks to the clients coming from the Czech regions. Eliášová (2009) refers to this period as marked by efforts to remove Austro-byzantine and Hungary-jewish aspects of the Slovak spa in the general. On the other hand, the post-war period is considered as the most depriving one, because of the massive nationalization of the private property, including the spa centres. The shift towards the better prospects appeared in 1960s, when the investments into the infrastructure were made and also many changes concerning management and promotion abroad were adopted in the Slovak spa centres (Eliašová, 2009). The other major turning point in the development of the Slovak spa was the year 1989. Due to the societal changes, there were also many significant changes in the field of spa centres ownership. The last but not the least of the important historical milestones is the year 2004, 1 University of Presov in Presov, Slovakia, Faculty of Humanities and Natural Sciences, Department of Geography and Regional Development, Ul. 17. novembra 1, 081 16 Prešov, Slovakia, E-mails: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] 161 when the Slovak Republic became a member of European Union. This joining has undoubtedly opened a space for the further development, but also has brought new challenges in terms of increased competition, particularly from the neighbouring countries. Therefore, the current situation in the Slovak spa is largely marked by efforts to improve the quality of services that still do not reach a required level in many ways. These efforts should be seen in the context of attempts to strengthen the overall position of tourism in the national economy. Spa tourism in Slovakia – current conditions In the European context, the region of Slovak Republic is relatively rich in springs of thermal and mineral waters, which belong to the valuable natural resources. In general, thanks to their health, economic and social significance, they are considered as an important part of the national natural heritage. Geographic location of the Slovak Republic, in the western Carpathian arch, creates the great conditions for development of the spa tourism based on the healing, mineral and thermal waters. These resources appear in a great number thanks to the favourable local geological structure. Their common occurrence is related to the areas of tectonic disruption and to the transitional areas of mountains and valleys. At these places, ground water is becoming surface water. The varied geological structure contributes to the formation of the full range of mineral water types. Here can be found almost all known types of mineral waters (excluding radioactive). Their chemical composition and physical properties are the important distinctive features which differentiate them from the ordinary water. They can be divided into: natural mineral waters, natural healing waters and natural mineral table waters (ASK 2013). As already indicated, nowadays, also the other natural preconditions are of great importance for the development of spas. Suitable climate conditions (especially mountain and alpine climate), which can have beneficial effect on human health and regeneration, are the other important natural resource in case of Slovak Republic. In 2011 there were 21 spa towns with 31 spa treatments providers (map 1, table 1, 2) and 89 accommodation facilities in total (47, 2% of which was hotels and pensions). In comparison with the year 2005, there was increase in their number in 24,7%. The total bed capacity was 11795 beds in 6003 rooms. During the last six years, there was not observed any significant change concerning this indicator (bed capacity in 2005 was 11 804 beds). Only the proportion of the beds in hotels was changed. This proportion decreased in 27,3 % compared to 2005 (graph 1, 2). (Statistical Office of the SR, 2012) Map 1: Spa centres in Slovakia 162 Table 1: The list of companies with permission, for the operation of the natural health spa resorts, received from the Spa State Commission of the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic Spa town Nature Health Spa Spa treatments providers 1 Spa Trenčianské Teplice Inc. Trenčianské Teplice Health Spa Resort of Ministry of Interior of 1 the SR, ARCO, Trenčianské Teplice 2 Bardejovské Spa Ltd. Bardejov - Health Spa Resort of Ministry of Interior of Bardejovské kúpele 2 the SR, DRUŽBA, Bardejovské kúpele Bojnice 3 Spa Bojnice, Inc. Dudince 4 Spa Dudince Inc., Dudince SLOVTHERMAE, Slovak Health Spa Resort, Dudince 3 soe., Diamant, Dudince Spa and Rehabilitation Institute of Ministry of Liptovský Ján 4 Interior of the Bystrá, Liptovský Ján Lučivná 5 Spa Lučivná Inc. 6 Spa Nový Smokovec, Inc. 7 Spa Horný Smokovec Ltd. 5 Military medical centre, Inc., Tatranské Zruby Vysoké Tatry Sanatorium Dr. Guhra n. o., Tatranská 6 Polianka 7 Sanatorium Tatranská Kotlina n.o. 8 TATRASAN, Ltd., Nový Smokovec 8 Slovak Health Spa Piešťany, Inc. Piešťany Military medical centre Inc. Spa resort Piešťany 9 Piešťany Smrdáky 9 Slovak Health Spa Piešťany Inc. 10 Wellness Kováčová, Ltd.. Kováčová Specialized Sanatorium Marína, soe., Kováčová 10 Kováčová Sliač 11 Spa Sliač Inc.. Sklené Teplice 12 Health Thermal Spa Inc., Sklené Teplice Štós 13 Spa Štós, Inc. Rajecké Teplice 14 Slovak Health Spa Rajecké Teplice, Inc. Nimnica 15 Spa Nimnica, Inc. Brusno 16 Spa Brusno, Inc. Lúčky 17 Liptov Health Spa, Inc.., Lúčky Číž 18 Natural iodine bath Číž, Inc. Turčianske Teplice 19 Slovak Health Spa Turčianske Teplice, Inc. Vyšné Ružbachy 20 Spa Vyšné Ružbachy, Inc. Červený Kláštor 21 Pieniny resort, Ltd. Source: Ministry of Foreign affairs of the SR (2013) 163 Table 2: Slovak spa according to the indications and natural resources Spa Indications Mineral or thermal spring Oncological diseases - Natural healing water, low/medium mineralisation, Circulation system disorders and the springs are classified as hydrocarbonic Digestive organs diseases containing chloride, sodium, and iron. It is cold and Metabolism and endocrine glands hypotonic water, which has a relatively high level of diseases boric acid Non-tuberculosis diseases of the - the total mineralisation ranges from 1600 mg/l to Bardejovské Kúpele airways 9400 mg/l Locomotive organs disorders - CO2 - from 2200 to 3800 mg/l, Kidney and Urinary system disorders - Temperature: 7-10°C. Gynaecological diseases Occupational diseases http://www.kupele-bj.sk/ Nerve diseases - natural healing water, classified as hydrogen-carbon- Locomotive organs disorders sulphate, calcium –magnesium, hypotonic, Kidney and Urinary system disorders acratotherma Gynaecological diseases - 9 springs with the flow 40 l/s Bojnice Occupational diseases - Depth - 1200-1500 m.
Recommended publications
  • Spa Catalogue 2015/2016
    TRAVELSLOVAKIA.SK Sharing the real Slovakia with you since 2003 CONTENTS Company profile ................................................................................................................... 3 Basic facts and information ................................................................................................. 4 Wellness & Spa in Slovakia .................................................................................................. 5 Piešťany Spa ........................................................................................................................... 6 Piešťany Spa facilities ................................................................................................... 7 Piešťany Spa hotels ....................................................................................................... 8 Piešťany Spa stays ....................................................................................................... 10 Piešťany Spa rates 2015/16 ....................................................................................... 13 Rajecké Teplice Spa ........................................................................................................... 19 Rajecké Teplice Spa facilities .................................................................................... 20 Rajecké Teplice Spa hotels ........................................................................................ 21 Rajecké Teplice Spa stays ........................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • DEVIN, the Name of a Bulgarian Town, Can Be Registered As an EU Trade Mark for Mineral Water
    General Court of the European Union PRESS RELEASE No 162/18 Luxembourg, 25 October 2018 Judgment in Case T-122/17 Press and Information Devin v EUIPO DEVIN, the name of a Bulgarian town, can be registered as an EU trade mark for mineral water The geographical name remains available to third parties not only for descriptive use, such as the promotion of tourism in that town, but also as a distinctive sign in cases of ‘due cause’ and where there is no likelihood of confusion On 21 January 2011, the company Devin AD, obtained from the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) registration of the EU word mark DEVIN for non-alcoholic drinks. In July 2014, Haskovo Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Bulgaria), filed an application with EUIPO for a declaration of invalidity of the contested mark. By a decision of 29 January 2016, EUIPO, in essence, found that the town of Devin in Bulgaria was known to the general public in Bulgaria and a significant proportion of consumers in neighbouring countries such as Greece and Romania, especially as a renowned spa town, and that the name of that town was linked by the relevant public with the designated goods covered by the contested mark, especially mineral waters. EUIPO therefore declared the mark invalid in its entirety. Devin AD brought an action before the General Court seeking annulment of the decision of EUIPO. By today’s judgment, the General Court annuls the decision of EUIPO. The General Court notes first that, for the Bulgarian consumer, even if he recognises the word ‘devin’ as a geographical name, it seems extremely implausible that the trade mark DEVIN has not acquired, at least in Bulgaria, a normal distinctive character, without there being any need to rule on its reputation.
    [Show full text]
  • Nails South Africa Shines
    THE NO.1 MAGAZINE FOR SPA AND WELLNESS Issue 58 | June/July 2017 | www.europeanspamagazine.com WORLD OF WELLNESS THE BEST OF BRITISH EXPERT GUIDE: NAILS SOUTH AFRICA SHINES Finding balance at Oman's Look inside London's luxurious Invaluable spa mani-pedi How European brands combine Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Lanesborough Club & Spa advice and product innovations with locally inspired treatments DEVELOPMENTSN APPOINTMENTSews INVESTMENT DIARY DATES EDITED BY SARAH TODD Spa town’s legacy ‘recaptured’ in new £9.5m development Rudding Park Spa in Harrogate features a striking roof-top spa garden and will use natural spring waters from the hotel grounds UK: A new £9.5m (E11.24m) spa has launched at In addition, a rooftop spa and garden includes history using natural waters from Rudding the privately-owned luxury Rudding Park hotel in a hydrotherapy infinity pool, a panoramic sauna, Park itself and features an awe-inspiring Harrogate, Yorkshire. experience showers, a garden sauna cabin and rooftop spa and garden to take our guests to Intending to enhance the town’s considerable sun deck. Speaking about his vision for the new heights of relaxation,” said spa director spa heritage, the 4,180sqm Rudding Park Spa rooftop spa garden design, leading horticulturalist Matthew Mackaness. uses natural waters from the surrounding grounds Matthew Wilson said: “I’ve created a space that The spa’s interior fixtures and fittings were and boasts a range of comprehensive facilities to is very calming with its topiary beech domes supplied by interior design company Horsley ‘enhance the wellness of mind, body and soul’.
    [Show full text]
  • 597-614 Goran Peric
    PERSPECTIVES OF DEVELOPMENT OF SPA TOURISM IN SERBIA Lecturer Goran Peri ć Business School of Applied Studies in Blace , Department of Tourism / SERBIA Marija Stojiljkovi ć Business School of Applied Studies / SERBIA Marko Gaši ć Business School of Applied Studies / SERBIA PhD. Vladan Ivanovi ć Business School of Applied Studies / SERBIA ABSTRACT Serbia abounds in thermal mineral springs, which are not tourist valorized and used in the proper way. With more than 50 spas and more than 1000 springs, of which about 500 springs of cold and hot mineral water, as well as the abundance of natural gas and mineral mud, has a huge potential in spa tourism. Because of that, Serbia is so-called “Spa country”. According to the number of overnights and arrivals, spas are the leading tourist destinations in Serbia. The subject of this paper refers to the assessment of prospects for the development of spa tourism. The aim is, based on analysis of the characteristics of spa tourism in Europe, to indicate that the spa tourism in Serbia needs a new development concept in line with modern trends in the tourism market. Special attention will be dedicated to analysis of tourist traffic, considering the key factors for tourist valorization, comparison with contemporary trends in certain spa resorts in Europe, as well as defining the strategic direction of advancement of spa tourism in Serbia. At the end, it was concluded that Serbia, despite extremely favorable natural resources for the development of spa tourism, still counts as insufficient evolutionary destination, and this is of particular importance for the future improvement of this type of tourism and positioning spas as tourist destinations on the international tourism market, is precisely their transformation of specialized hospitals to modern spa centers and wellness tourism.
    [Show full text]
  • General Court: Name of Spa Town Eligible for Registration for Mineral Waters | World Trademark Review
    13/11/2018 General Court: name of spa town eligible for registration for mineral waters | World Trademark Review 12 Nov General Court: name of spa town eligible for 2018 registration for mineral waters European Union - Dr Helen G Papaconstantinou and Partners Law Firm Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry sought cancellation of DEVIN - a Bulgarian spa town - in Class 32 EUIPO found that mark was descriptive of goods’ geographical origin Court found that general interest in preserving availability of geographical name could be protected without cancelling mark In invalidity proceedings between Devin AD, the EU Intellectual Property Oce (EUIPO) and the Haskovo Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Case T-122/17, 25 October 2018), the Eighth Chamber of the General Court has ruled that Devin, the name of a Bulgarian spa town, may be registered as an EU trademark to cover mineral waters in Class 32. Background In 2011 Bulgarian company Devin AD obtained the registration of the EU word mark DEVIN (No 9408865) to cover, among other things, mineral water and other non-alcoholic beverages in Class 32. The Haskovo Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Bulgaria) led a petition for a declaration of invalidity of the mark in 2014, which was upheld by the Cancellation Division of the EUIPO in so far as it was based on Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation 207/2009, and resulted in the mark being declared invalid in its entirety. More specically, the Cancellation Division found that the geographical name Devin would be understood by the general public in Bulgaria, as well as by part of the public in Greece and Romania and, potentially, by a wider public within the European Union, as the geographical origin of the covered goods, due to the marketing efforts and growth of the Bulgarian tourism sector.
    [Show full text]
  • Discovering the European Route of Thermal Heritage 25 Towns in Europe Culture - Art - Architecture - History 2
    Discovering the European Route of Thermal Heritage 25 towns in Europe Culture - Art - Architecture - History 2 Bath Find The European Route of Historic Thermal Towns on Facebook www.facebook.com/thermaltravels index The European Historic Cauterets ......................p 15 Thermal Towns Enghien-les-Bains .................p 16 Association (EHTTA) Evian .........................p 17 . p 4 et 5 Vichy .........................p 18 The European Cultural Le Mont-Dore ...................p 19 Route of Historic La Bourboule................... p 20 Thermal Towns Royat - Chamalières .............. p 21 . p 6 Châtel-Guyon .................. p 22 The Route of Spa Towns of the SPAIN Massif Central .................. p 23 Ourense....................... p 7 ITALY UNITED KINGDOM Salsomaggiore Terme.............. p 24 Bath . p 8 Acqui Terme ................... p 25 3 BELGIUM Fiuggi ........................ p 26 Spa .......................... p 9 Bagni-di-Lucca .................. p 27 Montecatini Terme ............... p 28 HUNGARY Budapest.......................p 10 GERMANY Baden-Baden................... p 29 CZECH REPUBLIC Wiesbaden .................... p 30 Karlovy Vary Region (Karlovy Vary, Marianské‘ Lazne,‘ Frantiskovy~ Lazne)‘ ........... p 11 CROATIA Daruvar ........................p 31 ROMANIA Techirghiol......................p 12 Map of the European Cultural Route of FRANCE Historic Thermal Towns Bagnoles-de-l’Orne ...............p 13 . p 32 Luchon........................p 14 Brochure financed by EHTTA members with support from the Council of Europe. Lazne, Frantiskovy Lazne), La Bourboule, Le Mont-Dore, Luchon, Montecatini Terme, Ourense, Royat - Chamalières, Salsomaggiore Terme, Spa, Techirghiol, Vichy, Wies- baden, The Route of Spa Towns in the Massif Central. Tourism offices of Spa, Vichy, Royat - Chamalières. Theatre Baden-Baden interior, Gerd Eichmann. Friedrichsbad Baden-Baden, Kur & Tourismus GmbH. museum Frieder Burda, Burda media Service. Lichtentaler Allee, Markus Brunsing.City of Fiuggi - Daniele Baldassarre’s archive, Bath - M.
    [Show full text]
  • How to Cite Complete Issue More Information About This Article
    International Journal of Professional Business Review ISSN: 2525-3654 Universidade da Coruña Tzedopoulos, Yorgos; Kamara, Afroditi; Lampada, Despoina; Ferla, Kleopatra THERMALISM IN GREECE: AN OLD CULTURAL HABITUS IN CRISIS International Journal of Professional Business Review, vol. 3, no. 2, 2018, July-December, pp. 205-219 Universidade da Coruña DOI: https://doi.org/10.26668/businessreview/2018.v3i2.83 Available in: https://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=553658822005 How to cite Complete issue Scientific Information System Redalyc More information about this article Network of Scientific Journals from Latin America and the Caribbean, Spain and Journal's webpage in redalyc.org Portugal Project academic non-profit, developed under the open access initiative Responsible Editor: Maria Dolores Sánchez-Fernández, Ph.D. Associate Editor: Manuel Portugal Ferreira, Ph.D. Evaluation Process: Double Blind Review pelo SEER/OJS THERMALISM IN GREECE: AN OLD CULTURAL HABITUS IN CRISIS TERMALISMO NA GRÉCIA: UM HÁBITO CULTURAL ANTIGO EM CRISE Yorgos Tzedopoulos ¹ ABSTRACT 2 This paper examines thermalism in Greece both in its historical development and in the context of current challenges engendered Afroditi Kamara by economic recession. The authors’ intention is to discuss bathing in thermal springs as a sociocultural practice deeply rooted in 3 history and collective experience (Erfurt-Cooper & Cooper, 2009), to follow its transformations in the course of time, and to Despoina Lampada analyze the complexity of its present state. The latter issue, which is dealt with in more detail, is explored through academic 4 Kleopatra Ferla literature, the evaluation of quantitative and qualitative data, and empirical research. The last part of the paper discusses the conclusions of our study of the Greek case with a view to contributing to the overall assessment of popular thermalism in Europe.
    [Show full text]
  • Health & Wellness Tourism
    A ROUTLEDGE FREEBOOK HEALTH & WELLNESS TOURISM A FOCUS ON THE GLOBAL SPA EXPERIENCE TABLE OF CONTENTS 004 :: FOREWORD 007 :: SECTION I: INTRODUCTION 008 :: 1. SPA AND WELLNESS TOURISM AND POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 030 :: 2. HEALTH, SOCIABILITY, POLITICS AND CULTURE: SPAS IN HISTORY, SPAS AND HISTORY 041 :: 3. A GEOGRAPHICAL AND REGIONAL ANALYSIS 059 :: SECTION II: CASE STUDIES 060 :: 4. TOWN OR COUNTRY? BRITISH SPAS AND THE URBAN/RURAL INTERFACE 076 :: 5. SARATOGA SPRINGS: FROM GENTEEL SPA TO DISNEYFIED FAMILY RESORT 087 :: 6. FROM THE MAJESTIC TO THE MUNDANE: DEMOCRACY, SOPHISTICATION AND HISTORY AMONG THE MINERAL SPAS OF AUSTRALIA 111 :: 7. HEALTH SPA TOURISM IN THE CZECH AND SLOVAK REPUBLIC 128 :: 8. TOURISM, WELLNESS, AND FEELING GOOD: REVIEWING AND STUDYING ASIAN SPA EXPERIENCES 147 :: 9. FANTASY, AUTHENTICITY, AND THE SPA TOURISM EXPERIENCE 165 :: SECTION III: CONCLUSION 166 :: 10. JOINING TOGETHER AND SHAPING THE FUTURE OF THE GLOBAL SPA AND WELLNESS INDUSTRY RELAX MORE DEEPLY WITH THE FULL TEXT OF THESE TITLES USE DISCOUNT CODE SPA20 TO GET 20% OFF THESE ROUTLEDGE TOURISM TITLES ROUTLEDGE TOURISM Visit Routledge Tourism to browse our full collection of resources on tourism, hospitality, and events. >> CLICK HERE FOREWORD HOW TO USE THIS BOOK As more serious study is devoted to different aspects of the global spa industry, it’s becoming clear that the spa is much more than a pleasant, temporary escape from our workaday lives. Indeed, the spa is a rich repository of historical, cultural, and behavioral information that is at once unique to its specific location and shared by other spas around the world. We created Health and Wellness Tourism: A Focus on the Global Spa Industry to delve further into the definition of what constitutes a spa, and showcase different perspectives on the history and evolution of spa tourism.
    [Show full text]
  • The History of British Spa Resorts: an Exceptional Case in Europe? John K
    1-Teresita_G mez:dossier1 09/12/2008 16:53 PÆgina 28 [138] TST, junio 2011, nº 20, pp. 138-157 The history of British spa resorts: an exceptional case in Europe? John K. Walton Universidad del País Vasco Resumen ste artículo propone que desde el siglo XVIII los balnearios termales del Reino Unido E han seguido una trayectoria única dentro del más amplio contexto europeo, que se concreta en la estructura de la red de balnearios, la falta de dinamismo desde principios del siglo XIX y la ausencia del papel innovador británico que se ha notado en otros aspectos de la historia del turismo. Trata también de explicar el temprano declive de los balnearios ter- males británicos y la ausencia de una respuesta efectiva frente a la competencia europea. Palabras clave: Turismo, Balnearios, Salud. Códigos JEL: N3, N5, N7. Abstract his article argues that the British experience of spa resort development since the T eighteenth century has been unique in Europe, in terms of the nature of the resort net- work, the lack of sustained dynamism, and the failure of the British role in spa tourism to match the dynamic and innovatory influence displayed in other aspects of tourism develop- ment. It also discusses the reasons for the early decline of British spas and their failure to respond effectively to European competition. Keywords: Tourism, Spa resorts, Health. JEL Codes: N3, N5, N7. 05 dossier 20 (J.K. Walton).indd 138 28/7/11 01:14:27 1-Teresita_G mez:dossier1 09/12/2008 16:53 PÆgina 28 [139] TST, junio 2011, nº 20, pp.
    [Show full text]
  • Arrival in Baku Itinerary for Azerbaijan, Georgia
    Expat Explore - Version: Thu Sep 23 2021 16:18:54 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) Page: 1/15 Itinerary for Azerbaijan, Georgia & Armenia • Expat Explore Start Point: End Point: Hotel in Baku, Hotel in Yerevan, Please contact us Please contact us from 14:00 hrs 10:00 hrs DAY 1: Arrival in Baku Start in Baku, the largest city on the Caspian Sea and capital of Azerbaijan. Today you have time to settle in and explore at leisure. Think of the city as a combination of Paris and Dubai, a place that offers both history and contemporary culture, and an intriguing blend of east meets west. The heart of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, surrounded by a fortified wall and pleasant pedestrianised boulevards that offer fantastic shopping opportunities. Attractions include the local Carpet Museum and the National Museum of History and Azerbaijan. Experiences Expat Explore - Version: Thu Sep 23 2021 16:18:54 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) Page: 2/15 Arrival. Join up with the tour at our starting hotel in Baku. If you arrive early you’ll have free time to explore the city. The waterfront is a great place to stroll this evening, with a cooling sea breeze and plenty of entertainment options and restaurants. Included Meals Accommodation Breakfast: Lunch: Dinner: Hotel Royal Garden DAY 2: Baku - Gobustan National Park - Mud Volcano Safari - Baku Old City Tour After breakfast, dive straight into exploring the history of Azerbaijan! Head south from Baku to Gobustan National Park. This archaeological reserve is home to mud volcanoes and over 600,000 ancient rock engravings and paintings.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapters in the History of Karlovy Vary
    Chapters in the History of Karlovy Vary. Dr Stanislav Burachovič 1. The Spa Founded by Emperor Charles IV. The origin and development of Karlovy Vary has always been inseparably linked with the beneficial effects of its local thermal mineral springs. They have marked its history, architecture, economy, and its entire genius loci. The popular legend about the discovery of the local springs in the middle of the 14th century by Charles IV, King of Bohemia and the Holy Roman Emperor, while deer hunting has to be relegated to the realm of fantasy. The establishment of a little spa town on the confluence of the Ohře (Eger) and Teplá (Warm) Rivers during the reign of Charles IV surely wasn’t such a random and romantic enterprise as told in the old legend, but it was the almost expected developmental consequence of a place that had been long known for its curative and cultic traditions. The exact date the town was founded is unknown. The beginnings of a permanent settlement at the thermal site should be placed sometime around the year 1349. However, traces of man’s presence in the vicinity of Karlovy Vary are much older. Archaeological explorations discovered evidence of several settlements situated in the current territory of the town that date back to prehistoric times. It has been clearly shown that people already populated the immediate surroundings of Karlovy Vary in the 13th century. It is presumed that they were already well aware of the healing effects of Karlovy Vary’s thermal waters and were using them for treatment.
    [Show full text]
  • Customer Satisfaction in Slovak Spas: Case Studies of Rajecké Teplice, Piešťany and Brusno¹
    ISSN 0867-5856 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18778/0867-5856.30.2.24 e-ISSN 2080-6922 Tourism 2020, 30/2 Peter Čuka https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8044-2746 Pedagogical University of Kraków Institute of Geography [email protected] Bohuslava Gregorová https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8544-9493 Matej Bel University Department of Geography and Geology [email protected] CUSTOMER SATISFACTION IN SLOVAK SPAS: CASE STUDIES OF RAJECKÉ TEPLICE, PIEŠŤANY AND BRUSNO¹ Abstract: This work aims to present a customer satisfaction model using selected examples from the spa industry. Specifically, it is a presentation of the satisfaction of spa customers and visitors to the Slovak spa of Rajecké Teplice, in comparison with Piešťany and Brusno. Customer satisfaction is a multiple phenomenon which is evaluated mainly by qualitative methods. Our motivation is to draw attention to the difficulty and subjectivity of qualitative research concerning such satisfaction, especially at in-service facilities in selected Slovak spas. Customers ranked them and created a ‘top 12’, according to their importance in the subjective perception of spa environments, services, health services and attractions in terms of satisfaction. In addition, the result is a comparison of the individual satisfaction of spa customers in heterogeneous spa towns. Piešťany is the most important Slovak spa center, Trenčianske Teplice is a medium-sized spa town, and Brusno a small stagnant spa. Keywords: Rajecké Teplice spa, Piešťany spa, Brusno spa, customer satisfaction, elements of customer satisfaction. 1. INTRODUCTION There are 23 official spas in Slovakia (Fig. 1): Barde- The results differ according to the year, but also jovské kúpele, Bojnice, Brusno, Číž, Dudince, Horný according to sources and methodology.
    [Show full text]