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.