GEOTOUR & IRSE 2012.pdf - Fakulta BERG - TUKE

GEOTOUR & IRSE 2012
Tab. 1 Natural healing factors and thermal baths of the Hungarian regions (2011)
Ther
Climati
Therma Thermal
Medical Medical
mal
c health
l water Bath
mud gas
cave
resort
Northern Great
Plain
61 8 0 2 0 2
Southern Great
Plain
42 11 0 1 0 1
Western
Transdanubia
40 11 0 2 0 4
Southern
Transdanubia
26 10 1 0 0 1
Central
Hungary
26 13 1 0 0 0
Northern
Hungary
20 7 2 0 1 4
Central
Transdanubia
9 3 1 0 0 1
Hungary 224 63 6 5 1 13
Source: Own compilation based on the data of the National Public Health and Medical Officer Service
Thermal water can be explored almost under the whole country but the regions of the Great
Plain can‟t be beaten nor in quality nor in quantity but the distribution of thermal baths is
more balanced with the exception of Central Transdanubia (Table 1).
Several internationally known spas are available in Hungary many of them are meeting the
international standards and provide quality services. Although the National Public Health and
Medical Service Office ensures that all spas meet the applicable requirements adequate
facilities –thanks to the lack of resources- have not been available in many places.
The expected medium and long-term growth of domestic and foreign demand and the
expansion of the (high-speed) road network will stimulate reconstruction and enlargement of
the less known and peripheral resorts however the lack of sufficient capital, appropriate
marketing and specific knowledge can lead to non sustainable operation.
Hungary‟s main competitors are the neighboring countries and EU Member States. Spa
services are generally extremely high-priced and high quality products on the international
tourism markets. Because of the moderate supply of these services in Hungary, Austria
Germany Switzerland or Italy are often chosen by the market segments of high demand.
Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania and Poland have become stronger competitors in the
recent years too (Figure 3).
Despite the fact that Hungary has excellent conditions for health tourism, strengthening
competition is expected in the future. In the recent years wellness tourism which is less
dependent on natural resources have had definitely significant growth in comparison of
medical tourism. This is both opportunities and threats for the country because „cheap‟ and
good quality water is almost everywhere but it is not unique from the viewpoint of the
tourists.
In my opinion the existence of the healing thermal water can be a good communication point
of the future.
Today Hungary has only 197 acknowledged as healing water of the potential 1372. Assuming
that other waters which are not registered have similar characteristics it would be appropriate
to support the official recognition procedure.
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