Case Study: Spa Hévíz Health Tourism in Hungary Mark Kincses international market development manager South East European Tourism Conference Beograd, 30. September 2015

What is health tourism? „All the intentional mobility related to health, where the main reason for travelling is healing (medical treatment), rehabilitation, health improvement (wellness, recreation, etc.) accompanied with tourism service.” Source: Dictionary of Medical Sciences (Egészségtudományi Fogalomtár, GYEMSZI)

Wellness Medical Holistic Medical wellness Leisure and Recreation Medical (therapical) Medical (therapical) Medical (surgical) Medical (surgical) Spiritual Beauty Treatments Therapeutic Recreation Rehabilitation (illness related) Rehabilitation (illness related) Cosmetic Surgery Yoga and Meditation Sport, fitness Rehabilitation (lifestyle related) Healing& Recuperation Dentistry Occupational Wellness Pampering New Age Operations Nutritional & Detox Programmes Thalassotherapy Source: Smith M. – Puczkó L /Smith, M Types of health tourism

Leading contries in the field of Medical Tourism source:

Hungary has tradition and good position in the international market of medical and wellness tourism The Hungarian health tourism is based on unique natural resources

Health tourism driver natural resources Healing waters: Musculoskeletal disorders (locomotor diseases), gynecological and skin diseases Healing cave: for curing asthma and allergies Mofetta: Natural carbon dioxide gas – diseases of the circulatory system, musculoskeletal, gynecological and skin diseases Climate Therapy – Thyorid diseases

„… IN HEALING, WATER IS THE BEST METHOD!” – HIPPOCRATES

Hungary’s current supplies thermal springs 385 settlements across Hungary are offering thermal or spa bath 17 qualified health resorts (Hévíz, Bükfürdő, Sárvár, Balf, Zalakaros, Harkány, Balatonfüred, Parád, Lillafüred, Kékestető, Eger, Mezőkövesd, Debrecen, Hajdúszoboszló, Gyula, Nyíregyháza-Sóstógyógyfürdő, Szigetvár) 36 qualified thermal spa resorts 83 qualified thermal baths 5 thermal caves 251 qualified mineral waters, 266 healing waters 5 healing mud occurence 2 mofetta (Mátraderecske, Parádfürdő)

Health tourism in figures Health tourism is an important motivation for domestic and international travellers too: 8.3 % of the guest nights on average, 7.6% of the domestic guest nights and 9.0 % of the foreign guest nights were spent in Medical Spa Hotels in Hungary. 16% of foreign visitors spending min. four nights in Hungary came to our country with a purpose to heal The most important source markets for medical spa hotels are Germany, Russia and Austria Source: Hungarian Central Statistical Office Prepared by: Hungarian Tourism Ltd.

Source: Hungarian Central Statistical Office Prepared by: Hungarian Tourism Ltd.

…the fountain of life! Nomen est omen – The town called „hot water”

Local population: 4950 Accommodation supply: guest-beds Visitor figures: guest nights/year The most visited town in Hungary after Budapest (with the highest capacity of accommodation) Hévíz – the spa town

What gives the secret power of Hévíz? - The guarding cherubs? - The prayer of Flavius Theodosius? - The legacy of Count György Festetics?

On the thermal water and the mud based years old traditional cure, - professional doctors and therapists - individual therapy program - vocation for health prevention and recovery. Best for Musculoskeletal disorders (locomotor diseases) The core product: Hévíz Traditional Cure

The termal water and the treatments can succesfully used for the following problems: Rheumatic locomotive problems For joint gout problems if the acute stage is over Treatment before and after arthritic surgery post-treatment after surgery Dermatological problems Gynaecological diseases Prevention The therapies are allways controlled by a doctor. …the fountain of life!

The effectiveness of the therapies of Hévíz are already proven by recent researches. The following research was also presented at an international congress: Examination of the medical effects of Lake Hévíz in patients with knee joint degenerations. Other researches were also successful hold in the following themes: weight bath, Hévíz mud, complex physiotherapy of Hévíz in case of a specific autoimmune disorder, Cardiospa. Proof, not promises!

Very important proof: 80% of spa guests in Hévíz are regular guests. …the fountain of life!

8380 Hévíz, Rákóczi u Tel.: Fax: Wide selection of health-tourism services - Beauty treatments from organic to „high-tech” products - Plastic surgery - Dental clinics - Fasting cure - Fitness programs, personal training - Life style consultation Widening the product range

Lake Balaton, Keszthely, Small-Balaton Supplementery products

More information about the town, programs, accommodation: …the fountain of life!