Dr Melanie Smith (PhD) Lecturer, Researcher and Consultant Tourism Competence Centre Corvinus University of Budapest, Hungary

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Dr Melanie Smith (PhD) Lecturer, Researcher and Consultant Tourism Competence Centre Corvinus University of Budapest, Hungary"

Alexandra Murphy
5 years ago
Views:

1 Dr Melanie Smith (PhD) Lecturer, Researcher and Consultant Tourism Competence Centre Corvinus University of Budapest, Hungary

2 Holistic Leisure and Recreation Medical Wellness Medical (therapeutic Medical (surgical) Spiritual Beauty Treatments Therapeutic Recreation Rehabilitation (illness related) Cosmetic Surgery Yoga and Meditation Sport & Fitness Rehabilitation (lifestyle related) Healing & Recuperation Dentistry New Age Pampering Occupational Wellness Operations Thalassotherapy Nutritional & Detox Programmes

3 Holistic Leisure and Recreation Medical Wellness Medical (therapeutic Medical (surgical) Spiritual Beauty Treatments Therapeutic Recreation Rehabilitation (illness related) Cosmetic Surgery Yoga and Meditation Sport & Fitness Rehabilitation (lifestyle related) Healing & Recuperation Dentistry New Age Pampering Occupational Wellness Operations Thalassotherapy Nutritional & Detox Programmes

4 Medical (therapeutic) tourism Leisure spa tourism Body Thalasso Tourism Medical (surgical) tourism Spirit Holistic Tourism Occupational Wellness Tourism Yoga and Meditation tourism Spiritual Tourism Mind

5 Medical (therapeutic) tourism Leisure spa tourism Body Thalasso Tourism Medical (surgical) tourism Spirit Holistic Tourism Occupational Wellness Tourism Yoga and Meditation tourism Spiritual Tourism Mind

6 History of Health and Wellness in Europe 14th Century discovery of warm springs in Central Europe (e.g. Buda, Karlovy Vary) 15th Century concerns about hygiene & morality of public bathing (e.g. Britain) 16th Century boost to balneotherapy Mineral properties of spa water discovered in mid-17th Century Late 18th Century recognition of the benefits of sea water First modern hydrotherapy spa developed in the early 19th Century Turn of 19th Century promotion of health treatments of air & sun cures Early 20th Century, benefits of spas for warwounded recognised all over Europe, & visits to seaside recommended for industrial workers

7 Thalassotherapy in Europe: A Tradition Based on the Four Elements? FIRE e.g. sunshine for Vitamin D, mood enhancement EARTH e.g. mud, sand, seaweed for skin AIR e.g. salty, seaside air good for lungs WATER e.g. healing elements of sea water, relaxation

Health & Wellness Tourism in Europe Today 1,200 spas and health resorts (ESPA, 2007) Many spas declined (e.g. UK) BUT Saturation of industry in some countries (e.

8 Health & Wellness Tourism in Europe Today 1,200 spas and health resorts (ESPA, 2007) Many spas declined (e.g. UK) BUT Saturation of industry in some countries (e.g Germany, Austria) Prolific growth of wellness hotels Popularity of holistic tourism (e.g. in the UK, Netherlands, Germany) Regeneration of medical spas in CEE Caves and salt mines (e.g. Poland) Thalassotherapy still popular and growing (e.g. in France, Greece)

9 ESPA Criteria for Thalassotherapy Thalasso therapy should only be described as such if it meets the following criteria: 1) Therapeutical concept for defined indications under medical control. 2) Situated directly by the sea under the direct influence of sea climate. 3) Sea water for inhalation and/or bathing for example in tubs or in pools or in the sea. 4) Products of the sea such as mud or algae for different treatments. 5) Helio Therapy primary use of natural sunbeams and if weather conditions are unfavourable; the sunlight can be replaced by artificial UV rays. 6) Sea air containing a low level of harmful substances and allergens to be used at long stays in the fresh air. 7) Regulated stays in the fresh air and training near the seaside. 8) Measures accompanying health main point: detention, healthy food and activity of the body. (II International Thalasso Congress on the Isle of Usedom, 2008)

Western and Central and Eastern European Approaches to Health and Wellness Western Europe Preventative Emphasis on mental as well as physical

offer relaxation and beauty treatments CEE Curative Emphasis on treatments and therapies for the physical body Limited knowledge of

10 Western and Central and Eastern European Approaches to Health and Wellness Western Europe Preventative Emphasis on mental as well as physical health Lifestyle-based approach to health and wellness Complementary and alternative (drugfree) treatments growing in popularity Spas tend to offer relaxation and beauty treatments CEE Curative Emphasis on treatments and therapies for the physical body Limited knowledge of lifestyle-based wellness Mainly conventional medicines administered by doctors or through pharmacies Spas usually offer medical treatments supervised by practitioners

11 Northern and Southern European Approaches to Health and Wellness Northern Landscape-based tourism (e.g. fjords, lakes, forests) Active outdoor recreation (e.g. Nordic walking) Healthy gastronomy based on fresh fish, berries, rye and oats Saunas Cold water treatments (e.g. Lake Wellness) Geothermal hydrotherapy Protestant simplicity Southern Seaside-based tourism Passive relaxation (e.g. siesta, sunbathing) Healthy cuisine based on olive oil, fresh fruit, vegetables and fish Sunshine Sea water treatments (e.g. thalassotherapy) Thermal spas Catholic spirituality

12 Why not just Sun-Sea-Sand Tourism? Late 20th Century tradition of sun-sea-sand Sun-bathing the main attraction Rise of skin cancer Little emphasis on healing properties of sea air Less activity on the beaches (e.g. walking, games) No proper attention to seaside cuisine Relaxation and fun more important than health

Post-Millenium Revival of Thalassotherapy SpaFinder predicted a revival of interest in Thalassotherapy in 2006 II International Thalasso Congress 3 5 April 2008 organised by European Spas Association

13 Post-Millenium Revival of Thalassotherapy SpaFinder predicted a revival of interest in Thalassotherapy in 2006 II International Thalasso Congress 3 5 April 2008 organised by European Spas Association to encourage tourism players in seaside spas and resorts to start providing thalassotherapy again and to highlight the various ways in which it can be applied. New Premium Europe Thalasso award designed to maintain very high standards of quality at seaside spas and resorts was presented by the European Spas Association during the congress.

14 Examples of Thalassotherapy Destinations Northern Europe: Varbergs Kusthotell & Kurort in Sweden: Seaweed massages, algae body packs and mud treatments. North-West Europe: Kilkee Thalassotherapy Centre in Ireland is 100 metres from an EU Blue Flag beach: The centre offers traditional seaweed baths, seaweed body wraps, hydrotherapy, massage, marine based facials, sauna/steam rooms, beauty treatments and sun bed. South-East Europe: Thalassotherapia Opatija in Croatia: Sea-water baths, fango wraps, helio-marine therapy & climatological treatments for skin conditions. South-West Europe: Gran Hotel Elba in Estepona in Spain: 1500 m2 of best health & beauty thalasso treatments (all with fresh sea-water). Stress management, detox, weight loss, regneration

15 A Case Study of France: The Thalasso King of Europe? First Thalassotherapy Centre opened in Roscoff in 1899 With 1,600 miles of coastline, France is a perfect location for the seaside spas that practice thalassotherapy Around 55 thalasso resorts along the Channel, the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Thalassa Sea & Spa, a division of the French multinational Accor Group, introduced the practice of thalassotherapy to European spa-goers more than 20 years ago. A survey of spas in France estimated that 200,000 people would have thalassotherapy in French spas in Since 1986 France Thalasso has helped to guarantee the quality of Thalassotherapy in France. There are currently 38 accredited centres. Recommends at least 6 days of treatment for maximum health benefits.

16 France Thalasso Quality Charter An exceptional seaside location, a protected environment. Thalassotherapies are exclusively in a prime location by the sea. The use of natural seawater. Fresh seawater heated to a comfortable temperature recharges the body by transferring minerals and trace elements through the skin. It is never kept more that 24 hours. Medical surveillance for a serene cure. A medical check up is advised when starting a cure. The doctor will work with you to create your schedule and to respond to your need for advice. A qualified and attentive team of professionals. Treatments carried out and supervised by experienced staff, trained in different treatment techniques: physiotherapist, hydro-therapist, dietician, sports instructors, beauticians etc. An optimal hygiene and security guarantee. Thalassotherapy centres are subjected to very rigorous regulatory constraints especially controlling seawater quality & marine products used during treatments. Standardized and well-maintained systems. Accredited centres have specially designed, top quality high-tech equipment, that is constantly serviced to comply with the quality standards and to optimise the use of seawater

17 Problems with Thalassotherapy Does not always take place by or near the sea! Standardised treatments everywhere (i.e. no uniqueness, innovation) People come to the seaside for relaxation and fun rather than health Thalassotherapy lacks the glamourous image of other spa treatments Not enough research on thalasso spas or tourism

18 How to Create Uniqueness in Thalassotherapy? Signature treatments from the area (i.e. based on local ingredients or traditions) Evidence-based healing (e.g. special, scientifically proven qualities of seawater, mud, algae) Developing, using, promoting & selling your own beauty & therapy products Promote your distinctive climate (e.g. hot & sunny; cool & refreshing) Cuisine based on products from the sea and local area History and heritage (e.g. attractive seafront architecture, traditional-style hotels or spas) State of the art architecture Natural setting Leisure and recreation spaces beyond the hotels (e.g. promenades, parks) Using the beach for interesting activities (e.g. Nordic walking in Estonia; Pilates in Germany)

19 Conclusions: From Health to Hedonism and Back Again... Thalassotherapy represents a revival of seaside tourism New focus on old tradition of health tourism at the seaside (not hedonism) Greater need for differentiation of destinations, products and services As with all the best spa activities, global quality should be combined with local uniqueness...

UNWTO BUDVA 2015 JOÃO PINTO BARBOSA ESPA PR & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER. SOME NOTES TO SUPPORT THE PRESENTATION AND Q&A Session 2

UNWTO BUDVA 2015 JOÃO PINTO BARBOSA ESPA PR & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER SOME NOTES TO SUPPORT THE PRESENTATION AND Q&A Session 2 23.06.2015 Brief information about the Association ( structure, objectives,