The Transformation of Medical Spas into Modern Spa Centers in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

Globalization and lifestyle changes have led to health becoming a major social preoccupation of the population. Spas are no longer just centers for disease treatment, but a means of preventing diseases and protecting human health. An increasing number of young people are trying to improve their health through spa treatments. This is why there is a growing tourist offer of spa centers. Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) has rich natural resources that are conducive to the creation of spas. Therefore, this study looked into spa offers and evaluated the transformation of medical spas into modern spa centers in order to improve competitiveness. Spa transformation survey was conducted on the example of spas in B&H. Six, out of a total of fifteen registered spas in B&H, have been chosen randomly. The spa offer was evaluated by applying the decision-making model and expert decision-making. The obtained results showed that the spas of Ilidža - Gradačac and Ilidža - Sarajevo have "good" transformation; the spas Dvorovi and Mlječanica have "middle" transformation, while the spas of Gata and Sanska Ilidža have "bad" transformation in the process of creating modern spas. Based on the results of this study, spa managers can obtain the necessary information on how to adjust the offer to make those spas more competitive. In addition, the spas will also generate higher revenues. The decision-making model used has shown good results and can be applied to future studies and research.

Therapeutic Landscape as Value Added in the Structure of the Destination-Specific Therapeutic Tourism Product

“…The perception of therapeutic landscapes in spa resorts not only through the prism of their natural assets and therapeutic infrastructure but also using the word zdrój, bad, Teplice, is a source of additional values (e.g., clean air, clean water, green areas, healing climate) in creating an augmented product of DSTTP. Furthermore, it is worth underlining the intangible aspect of the physical environment in the form of a hospitable attitude and atmosphere in a therapeutic tourism destination and its authenticity (Beganović et al, 2021). Thus, the competitiveness and attractiveness of DSTTP can be created by the therapeutic landscape as value-added, responsible for how those products are delivered.…”