Cluster practices in health and SPA tourism in Bulgaria

1. Development of SPA tourism in Bulgaria2. SPA regions in Bulgaria3. Challenges for the sector4. SPA and other tourism types5. NTC “Bulgarian Guide”

Agenda

1. Development of SPA tourism

• Thracian times• Roman times - many Roman emperors like Maximilianus

and Justinianus used the curative mineral waters

• SPA centers: • Augusta (Hissarya) • Dezudava (Sandanski) • Pautalia (Kyustendil) and• Serdica (Sofia)

1.1. Resources

• Bulgaria – among the richest on mineral waters regions in the world

• Diversity of hydro-mineral, bioclimatic and mud resources, thalassotherapy and others

• Mineral springs, representing 75% of all mineral waters with different healing abilities

1.2. Water contents and its healing power

•Over 800 different types of mineral water•Temperature – 37-104 ⁰C•Mineral content: varied chemical composition •Rich mineral and micro component structure

2. SPA regions in Bulgaria

Over 25 SPA destinations in Bulgaria

2.1. Pillars of health

SPA Treatment

2.2. Diseases cured by SPA treatment• Degenerative joint diseases – arthrosis• Inflammatory joint diseases – rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing

spondylitis, etc.• Disk disease and diseases of the nervous system• Traumatic diseases of the musculoskeletal system• Osteoporosis and Hypertension• Respiratory diseases – chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma• Exchange endocrine diseases – gout, diabetes• Kidney-urological diseases: nephrolithiasis, pyelonephritis• Overweight – obesity and Peripheral vascular diseases, etc.

2.3. Treatments

• Swimming pools • Steam bath, Turkish bath, Egypt bath• Underwater massage bath-tubes, Jacuzzi • Vichy shower• Massage, Ayurveda • Аroma therapy • Sauna, solarium

3. Challenges for the sector

• Insufficiently effective use of mineral resources

(Ex.: in Sofia there are over 40 mineral springs and ar. 20% of them are utilized)

• Lack of consistent marketing and recognition of the country as a SPA destination

• Lack of integrated tourist products (Opera and SPA tourism)

4. SPA and other tourism types

16.20% of the tourists visiting Bulgaria would like to combine SPA tourism with other tourism types!

5. National Tourism Cluster “Bulgarian Guide”

•First Tourism Cluster with National scope•Integration of all types of specialized tourism

Subject: Organizing of initiatives for promotion and sustainable development of specialized types of tourism, incl. SPA, medical and health tourism

• Promotion of the Bulgarian specialized tourism types, incl. health, wellness and SPA tourism

• Implementation of Joint innovative technology for interactive and integrated promotion of the tourism services

• Attracting a larger share of tourist looking for the different, authentic and personal experience

5.1. Objectives

The “seeking” tourist• Individual demands• Accent on nature and authenticity • Spiritual and cultural values• Active communication

Synergy between the specialized tourism types• SPA, medical and health tourism• Cultural-historical • Ecological, mountainous and pedestrian• Wine and culinary

5.2. Focus

• Uniting 11 companies

• Covering key tourism branches

• Joint actions

• Sirona Tour

Bulgarian tour operator, specialized in health tourism

Part of “Sirona” International Association for Balneology and Tourism

www.sironatour.com

5.3. Members

Thank you for Your Attention!

Milena Vladimirova, Cluster CoordinatorNational Tourism Cluster “Bulgarian Guide”Sofia, BulgariaE-mail: info@bg-guide.org, milena_vladimirova@abv.bg www.bg-guide.org