TRANSFORMATIONS IN THE CONCEPT OF SPA TOURISM IN EUROPE
Keywords:
spa tourism, spa destinations, Europe
Abstract
Spa tourism is one of the oldest forms of tourism, with a long history of using mineral waters for healing since ancient times. Originally, spa resorts developed as places where people came to bathe and drink mineral water to improve their health. Over the years, however, spa tourism has expanded beyond medical treatment to include a wide range of wellness services, relaxation opportunities, and lifestyle programs. This paper explores the evolution of spa tourism in Europe, highlighting how traditional practices have been integrated with modern tourism offerings. The study focuses on Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic and Montecatini Terme in Italy, two destinations that successfully combine historic spa traditions with contemporary wellness and leisure services. The findings aim to provide insights for policymakers, spa managers, and researchers interested in enhancing the appeal and competitiveness of spa tourism today.
Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
References
Aluculesei, A. C., Nistoreanu, P., Avram, D., & Nistoreanu, B. G. (2021). Past and future trends in medical spas: A co-word analysis. Sustainability, 13(17), 9646. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179646
Amatya, B., & Khan, F. (2023). The efficacy of climatotherapy on medical rehabilitation outcomes: a systematic review. Journal of the International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine 6(3), 47-59. https://doi.org/10.1097/ph9.0000000000000011
Arsić, M., Vujko, A., & Knežević, M. (2024). Development Perspectives on Wellness and Spa Tourism in the Context of Tourism Business Sustainability. Sustainability, 16(20), 8760. https://doi.org/
10.3390/su16208760
Čeperković, J., & Čerović, S. (2023). Dynamics of Spa Tourism Statistics in Selected Countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Economic of Agriculture, 70(1), 217–236. https://doi.org/10.59267/ekoPolj2301217C
Czech Spa Association. (n.d.). Healing procedures. Retrieved March 15, 2026, from https://www.lecebnelazne.cz/en/about-the-spa/czech-spas/natural-healing-resources
Dimitrovski, D., Milićević, S., & Lakićević, M. (2021). Specific Types of Tourism. Faculty of Hotel Management and Tourism in Vrnjačka Banja, University of Kragujevac. [in serbian]
Dini, M., & Pencarelli, T. (2021). Wellness tourism and the components of its offer system: A holistic perspective. Tourism Review, 77(2), 397-398. https://doi.org/10.1108/TR-08-2020-0373
European Spas Association (ESPA). (2023). ESPA Brochure [Brochure]. Retrieved March 15, 2026, from https://europeanspas.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ESPA_Brochure_2023.pdf
Ghasemi, P., Mehdiabadi, A., Spulbar, C., & Birau, R. (2021). Ranking of sustainable medical tourism destinations in Iran: an integrated approach using fuzzy SWARA-PROMETHEE. Sustainability, 13, 683. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13020683
Hall, C. M. (2011). Health and medical tourism: a kill or cure for global public health? Tourism Review, 66(1/2), 4-15. https://doi.org/
10.1108/16605371111127198
KarlovyVary (n.d.). Retrieved March 15, 2026, from https://www.karlovyvary.cz/en
Karlovy-Vary. (n.d.). Retrieved March 15, 2026, from https://www.karlovy-vary.cz/en/about-karlovy-vary
Marinoski, N., & Nestoroska, I. (2016). Balneological values in function of tourism development in the Republic of Macedonia. In Tourism International Scientific Conference Vrnjačka Banja – TISC, 1(1) (pp. 241–257). Vrnjačka Banja, Serbia: Tourism International Scientific Conference.
Milićević, S. (2015). From Traditional Spa Resorts to Health Tourism Destinations. Faculty of Hotel Management and Tourism in Vrnjačka Banja, University of Kragujevac. [in serbian]
Montecatini Terme. (n.d.). Retrieved March 15, 2026, from https://montecatinitermetourism.com/en/
Munteanu, C., & Munteanu, D. (2019). Thalassotherapy today, Balneo Research Journal 10(4), 440-444. https://doi.org/10.12680/
balneo.2019.278
Nestoroska, I., Petrevska, B., & Angelevska-Najdeska, K. (2024). Revitalizing spas for wellness: A new challenge for Macedonian tourism. In INSCOSES 2024 – XVII International Scientific Conference on Service Sector (pp. 81–89). Ohrid, North Macedonia: INSCOSES.
Okech, R. (2014). Promoting the Spa Tourism Industry: Focus on Coastal Resorts in Kenya. Athens Journal of Tourism, 1(1), 67-77. https://doi.org/10.30958/ajt.1-1-4
Protano, C., Vitali, M., De Giorgi, A., Marotta, D., Crucianelli, S., & Fontana, M (2024). Balneotherapy using thermal mineral water baths and dermatological diseases: a systematic review. International Journal of Biometeorology, 68, 1005-1013. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-024-02649-x
Puška, A., Beganović, A. I., & Šadić, S. (2017). Situation and Prospects of Balneo-climatic Treatment in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Serbian Journal of Engineering Management, 2(1), 61-69. https://doi.org/10.5937/SJEM1701061P
Stamenković, B., Nedović, J., Stojanović, S., Aleksić, I., & Jocić, J. (2017). Primena balneoterapije u reumatskim bolestima. Acta Rheumatologica Belgradensia, 47(1), 113-117.
Terme di Montecatini (n.d.). Retrieved March 15, 2026, from https://www.termemontecatini.it/en/wellness/health-on-holiday/
Traasgpu (n.d.). Thalassotherapy. Retrieved March 15, 2016 from: https://bs.traasgpu.com/talasoterapija/
Turski, I., Mashika, H., Tkachenko, T., Khmara, M., Komarnitskyi, I., & Oliinyk, М. (2021). Medical Tourism: Analysis of the State of International Tourism and Prospects for Domestic Development. Universal Journal of Public Health, 9(2), 27-34. https://doi.org/10.13189/
ujph.2021.090201
UNESCO. (2021). The Great Spa Towns of Europe. Retrieved March 15, 2026 from http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1613
Yurcu, G. (2017) Wellness and Spa Tourism. Journal of Tourism & Hospitality, 6(2), 274. https://doi.org/10.4172/2167-0269.1000274
Amatya, B., & Khan, F. (2023). The efficacy of climatotherapy on medical rehabilitation outcomes: a systematic review. Journal of the International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine 6(3), 47-59. https://doi.org/10.1097/ph9.0000000000000011
Arsić, M., Vujko, A., & Knežević, M. (2024). Development Perspectives on Wellness and Spa Tourism in the Context of Tourism Business Sustainability. Sustainability, 16(20), 8760. https://doi.org/
10.3390/su16208760
Čeperković, J., & Čerović, S. (2023). Dynamics of Spa Tourism Statistics in Selected Countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Economic of Agriculture, 70(1), 217–236. https://doi.org/10.59267/ekoPolj2301217C
Czech Spa Association. (n.d.). Healing procedures. Retrieved March 15, 2026, from https://www.lecebnelazne.cz/en/about-the-spa/czech-spas/natural-healing-resources
Dimitrovski, D., Milićević, S., & Lakićević, M. (2021). Specific Types of Tourism. Faculty of Hotel Management and Tourism in Vrnjačka Banja, University of Kragujevac. [in serbian]
Dini, M., & Pencarelli, T. (2021). Wellness tourism and the components of its offer system: A holistic perspective. Tourism Review, 77(2), 397-398. https://doi.org/10.1108/TR-08-2020-0373
European Spas Association (ESPA). (2023). ESPA Brochure [Brochure]. Retrieved March 15, 2026, from https://europeanspas.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ESPA_Brochure_2023.pdf
Ghasemi, P., Mehdiabadi, A., Spulbar, C., & Birau, R. (2021). Ranking of sustainable medical tourism destinations in Iran: an integrated approach using fuzzy SWARA-PROMETHEE. Sustainability, 13, 683. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13020683
Hall, C. M. (2011). Health and medical tourism: a kill or cure for global public health? Tourism Review, 66(1/2), 4-15. https://doi.org/
10.1108/16605371111127198
KarlovyVary (n.d.). Retrieved March 15, 2026, from https://www.karlovyvary.cz/en
Karlovy-Vary. (n.d.). Retrieved March 15, 2026, from https://www.karlovy-vary.cz/en/about-karlovy-vary
Marinoski, N., & Nestoroska, I. (2016). Balneological values in function of tourism development in the Republic of Macedonia. In Tourism International Scientific Conference Vrnjačka Banja – TISC, 1(1) (pp. 241–257). Vrnjačka Banja, Serbia: Tourism International Scientific Conference.
Milićević, S. (2015). From Traditional Spa Resorts to Health Tourism Destinations. Faculty of Hotel Management and Tourism in Vrnjačka Banja, University of Kragujevac. [in serbian]
Montecatini Terme. (n.d.). Retrieved March 15, 2026, from https://montecatinitermetourism.com/en/
Munteanu, C., & Munteanu, D. (2019). Thalassotherapy today, Balneo Research Journal 10(4), 440-444. https://doi.org/10.12680/
balneo.2019.278
Nestoroska, I., Petrevska, B., & Angelevska-Najdeska, K. (2024). Revitalizing spas for wellness: A new challenge for Macedonian tourism. In INSCOSES 2024 – XVII International Scientific Conference on Service Sector (pp. 81–89). Ohrid, North Macedonia: INSCOSES.
Okech, R. (2014). Promoting the Spa Tourism Industry: Focus on Coastal Resorts in Kenya. Athens Journal of Tourism, 1(1), 67-77. https://doi.org/10.30958/ajt.1-1-4
Protano, C., Vitali, M., De Giorgi, A., Marotta, D., Crucianelli, S., & Fontana, M (2024). Balneotherapy using thermal mineral water baths and dermatological diseases: a systematic review. International Journal of Biometeorology, 68, 1005-1013. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-024-02649-x
Puška, A., Beganović, A. I., & Šadić, S. (2017). Situation and Prospects of Balneo-climatic Treatment in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Serbian Journal of Engineering Management, 2(1), 61-69. https://doi.org/10.5937/SJEM1701061P
Stamenković, B., Nedović, J., Stojanović, S., Aleksić, I., & Jocić, J. (2017). Primena balneoterapije u reumatskim bolestima. Acta Rheumatologica Belgradensia, 47(1), 113-117.
Terme di Montecatini (n.d.). Retrieved March 15, 2026, from https://www.termemontecatini.it/en/wellness/health-on-holiday/
Traasgpu (n.d.). Thalassotherapy. Retrieved March 15, 2016 from: https://bs.traasgpu.com/talasoterapija/
Turski, I., Mashika, H., Tkachenko, T., Khmara, M., Komarnitskyi, I., & Oliinyk, М. (2021). Medical Tourism: Analysis of the State of International Tourism and Prospects for Domestic Development. Universal Journal of Public Health, 9(2), 27-34. https://doi.org/10.13189/
ujph.2021.090201
UNESCO. (2021). The Great Spa Towns of Europe. Retrieved March 15, 2026 from http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1613
Yurcu, G. (2017) Wellness and Spa Tourism. Journal of Tourism & Hospitality, 6(2), 274. https://doi.org/10.4172/2167-0269.1000274
Published
2026-10-16
How to Cite
Milićević, S., Đorđević, N., & Nestoroska, I. (2026). TRANSFORMATIONS IN THE CONCEPT OF SPA TOURISM IN EUROPE. Tourism International Scientific Conference Vrnjačka Banja - TISC, 9(1), 138-148. https://doi.org/10.52370/TISC26138SM
Section
Articles
