If in the old days many tourists went abroad solely for the sake of relaxation and sightseeing, today taking care of their health is also relevant on such trips. This is why medical tourism in Europe is gaining momentum.

The main goal of health tours is the treatment of one or another pathology, as well as its prevention. The branch of medicine that studies medical tourism is called balneology. Taking this into account, European medical tourism can be divided according to the types of resorts.

Balneological. The main healing factor is mineral waters.
Climatic. For treatment, climate, temperature and air features that have certain beneficial properties are used:
— mountain, because rarefied air is useful for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, tuberculosis.
— seaside, the main healing factor of which is sea air, useful for bronchopulmonary pathology and for general strengthening of the body.
— desert, where water evaporates from the body, are useful for kidney diseases.
Mud resorts are recommended for diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The properties of mud are not lost even during transportation.
Combined(universal) – include a combination of several therapeutic factors.

Medical tourism is most popular in Europe. The local clinics and sanatoriums have long established themselves as the best. Qualified, experienced specialists, excellent environmental conditions, and the latest modern equipment contribute to the fact that health tours are so in demand here. Popular places for medical tourism in Europe include the foothills of the Alps (Austria, Germany, Vichy France, Northern Italy), the western part of the Czech Republic (Karlovy Vary), Hungary, the Dead Sea of Israel...

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European resorts for medical tourism

Austria

In addition to mountain lakes, picturesque peaks and a mild climate, the country is known for its well-developed healthcare system. Here there are medical and health resorts with mineral salt- and iodine-containing, radon and sulfur waters, which are used to treat various pathologies using balneotherapy. The most famous Austrian resorts are Bad Gastein, Bad Blumau, Bad Ischl, Laa an der Thaya, Loipersdorf.

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Germany

Picturesque and ecologically clean places, thermal springs, healing mud and mineral waters attract people from many parts of the world to Germany. Baden-Baden can be called the Mecca of European medical tourism. Local springs are rich in microelements (zinc, cobalt, copper) and minerals (magnesium, cesium, manganese, lithium, etc.). Other resorts in Germany include Scheidegg, Bad Fussing, Bad Tölz, and Hindeland.

France

Some of the most expensive medical resorts in Europe are French. They are distinguished by their special sophistication and high service. France is famous for its thalassotherapy centers and mineral water springs. The country's most famous resort is Vichy, which has 15 mineral springs. Water from them is indicated for people with metabolic disorders, diseases of the musculoskeletal system, digestive organs, depression, and fatigue.

Italy

Italy is rich in lakes and surrounded by four seas, making it the founder of thalassotherapy and the SPA industry. Picturesque landscapes and a wonderful climate have a beneficial effect on restoring psychological comfort among vacationers, which is very important for effective recovery. In the north of Italy there are large private clinics known for their innovative diagnostic techniques. The most famous resorts in the country are Abano Montegrotto and Abano Terme.

Czech

The Czech Republic is rightly called the state of mineral healing springs. known throughout the world, because they can successfully treat gynecological pathology, metabolic disorders, diseases of the musculoskeletal system and digestive organs. Therapeutic mud and peat are also used. However, medical tours to the Czech Republic are not limited to this resort. For those who want to improve their health, we can recommend Trzebon, Teplice.

Hungary

Hungary is famous for its large number of thermal springs and excellent infrastructure. Famous baths are Harkany, Lake Heviz, Miskolc-Tapolca, Budapest, Debrecen.

Geographical location of the region. Popular places of tourism and recreation, established resorts and tourist excursion centers (historical, cultural, religious, ethnographic). Characteristics of the main economic and social recreational resources.

Implementation of preventive health improvement of the population, rehabilitation of patients and organization of animation and leisure activities in the sanatorium-resort complexes "Volzhsky Utes", "Sergievskie Mineralnye Vody", "Samara", "Mozhaisky" of the Samara region.

Functions of the modern resort and recreational system in Russia: health, rehabilitation, preventive, recreational and animation. Resort and recreational potential of the Chelyabinsk region. Mineral mud of Lake Podbornoe. Medical tourism centers.

Location of Evpatoria, natural conditions of the resort. Assessment of conditions and factors of resort development. Sanatorium-therapeutic possibilities of Evpatoria. Socio-economic conditions of development and environmental condition of the resort. Transport accessibility of the resort.

Health resort characteristics of balneological and mud resorts of the Stavropol and Krasnodar territories. The main healing factors of resorts: mineral waters, balneological resources. Multidisciplinary resorts, effective treatment of diseases.

Classification of resorts. Organization of treatment and preventive activities. Specifics of the sanatorium-resort regime. Basic elements of treatment and preventive activities. Management of treatment and preventive activities in resort institutions.

Characteristics of Romania. Romania is a country with a favorable geographical location, rich natural resources and many unique historical and cultural monuments. Resorts of Romania. Balneo-mud resorts. Climatic resorts. Ski resorts.

Familiarization with the history of creation, climatic conditions, indications for treatment (diseases of the musculoskeletal system, post-burn scars) and the range of available procedures (hydrogen sulfide baths, massage) at the balneological resort of Matsesta.

Ugra as a unique natural complex, features of its climatic conditions and relief, diversity of flora and fauna. Types of tourism developed in Ugra and their future prospects. Prevalence of balneological tourism in resorts.

Kaliningrad territorial resort management of trade unions. New methods of diagnosis and treatment. Rational operation of resorts. The specialization of Kaliningrad resorts is climatotherapy. Republican status of the resort.

Consideration of the essence, tasks and functions (treatment, rehabilitation, cultural and educational recreation) of balneology. Familiarization with the main problems of the development of the resort business in Russia. Features of the current state of health tourism in the country.

Natural medicinal resources of Russia as the basis of the state's resort industry, assessment of their reserves and prospects for production in the future, classification and varieties. Medical and health tourism in Russia, areas and features of the use of natural resources.

Wellness holiday – comprehensive assistance to everyone who wants to improve their health, get medical advice from specialists. Features of medical and health tourism. The meaning of traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture. Geography of tourism.

Medical and health tourism as a type of ecological tourism and sanatorium-resort treatment. Wellness from the point of view of travel technology. Specifics of medical and health tourism. Examples of wellness programs offered at resorts.

The specifics of organizing resort and health tourism as one of the main types of tourism and its impact on the country’s economy. Resort and health tourism in Russia and abroad. Prospects for the development of types of international tourism activities.

Typology and general characteristics of Russian resorts, developed and used for the purposes of treatment, recovery and rehabilitation of natural areas. A study of the organization of medical and health tours using the example of the Blue Bird sanatorium. Analysis of sanatorium services.

The current state of health tourism in Russia, prospects for its development. The history of the emergence of medical resorts in the country. Analysis of natural healing factors and tourist infrastructure in the sanitary-resort complex of the Krasnodar region.

Characteristics of the Stavropol Territory. Analysis of therapeutic and health factors of the Caucasian Mineral Waters. Balneological resorts of the region, ecological, water and mountain tourism. Development strategy for the sanatorium-resort and tourist-recreational complex

Features and types of medical and health tourism. Analysis of recreational and health resources on Sakhalin that contribute to the development of medical and health tourism. Characteristics of the sanitary-resort business on Sakhalin and prospects for its development.

Abstract outline: Treatment at resorts……………………………..………...2 Balneological resorts…………………………………3 Resorts with carbonated waters……… …………………….3 Resorts with hydrogen sulfide waters……………….………4

Introduction

1. Features of medical and health tourism

1.1 Medical and health tourism as the main type of tourism

1.2 Types of resorts

2. Medical and health tourism in Europe

2.1 Medical and health tourism in Northern and Southern Europe

2.2 Medical and health tourism in Eastern and Western Europe

Conclusion

Bibliography

Application

Introduction

Modern political scientists and futurologists predict that post-industrial society will have information and services as the main sphere of the economy, and the main type of its resources will be environmental health and information technologies. Currently, the share of services in the structure of gross domestic product in developed countries of the world fluctuates between 30–35%. In Sweden this share is 61.4%, in Denmark – 54.7, in Canada – 54.1, USA – 51.4, UK – 50.8, in Russia – only 31.3%.

In the service sector itself, tourism occupies a special place. It accounts for about 10% of the world's gross national product. The material base of tourism consists of accommodation facilities: hotels, boarding houses, tourist centers, holiday homes, motels, campsites, alpine shelters, etc. tourism is becoming one of the leading and dynamic sectors of the world economy. According to forecasts by the World Tourism Organization (WTO), in 2010 the number of international tourist trips doubled to 937 million, and tourism receipts reached 1.1 trillion. US dollars.

Tourism (French tourisme, from tour - walk, trip), travel (trip, hike) in free time. Tourism is the most effective means of satisfying recreational needs, since it combines various types of recreational activities - health improvement, knowledge, restoration of human productive forces. Tourism is an integral part of healthcare, physical culture, and a means of spiritual, cultural and social development of the individual.

According to the assessment of the scale of the tourist movement existing in world practice, tourists “include all persons who have temporarily and voluntarily changed their place of residence for any purpose other than activities remunerated in the place of temporary residence.” Persons who spend less than 24 hours in their free time in any area are considered excursionists. Travel within one’s country is united by the concept of “domestic (national) tourism”, and outside its borders – “foreign tourism”.

The practice of organizing a tourism business, guided by a more precise definition of the main goal, identifies specific types of tourism: recreational, medical and health, sports, business, timeshare, or club holidays, ecological, religious tourism, etc.

This course work examines health tourism in detail.

The purpose of the work is to determine the role of this type of tourism and its significance in the modern life of people.

The object of the study is Europe and its health resorts.

The subject of the research is medical and health tourism in Europe.

1. Features of medical and health tourism

1.1 Medical and health tourism as the main type of tourism

Medical and health tourism in importance can be called the main type of tourism, since it is based on concern for human health as the main value of life. Medical tourism has a long, rich history. In each country it developed taking into account the availability of natural resources and socio-economic conditions.

Health tourism is the most widespread and popular area of medical tourism; it has existed since ancient times. Already the ancient Greeks, in order to improve their health, went to the sanctuary of the healing god Asclepius in Epidaurus - there were hotels, baths, palaestra (gymnastics schools). The ruins of structures for treatment with mineral waters from the time of the Roman Empire have been preserved in the areas of many famous European resorts.

Times have changed, but the motivation for traveling remains the same. The healing properties of natural factors, as before, attract patients to resort areas. The flows of tourists for medicinal purposes are not yet as numerous as the masses of those wishing to relax and have fun, but they are growing rapidly and their geography is expanding.

Resortology as the basis of health tourism began to actively develop in Europe, starting from the 17th century. In the 20th century, a whole resort industry emerged in the world, covering almost all countries and continents. On the basis of traditional climatic, balneological, and mud resorts, new forms of healing have appeared - SPA, wellness, fitness. The list of services provided by modern resort and sanatorium establishments often includes check-up programs.

The most widespread and popular are resorts offering several therapeutic and health factors, especially SPA resorts or SPA hotels. The latter can be located not only in resort areas, but also in large cities, and also provide health and relaxation services.

Many resorts offer wellness programs (health, anti-stress, cosmetology) that are suitable for absolutely healthy people. Hotels with thalassotherapy centers are in constant demand at seaside resorts.

Medical and health tourism has a number of distinctive features. Firstly, your stay at the resort, regardless of the type of illness or disease, must be long, at least three weeks. Only in this case the desired healing effect is achieved. Secondly, treatment at resorts is expensive. Although relatively cheap tours have recently begun to be developed, this type of tourism is designed mainly for wealthy clients who are increasingly focused not on a standard set of medical services, but on an individual treatment program. Another feature is that people of the older age group go to resorts when chronic diseases worsen or their weakening body is unable to cope with everyday stress at work and at home. Accordingly, these tourists choose between resorts that specialize in the treatment of a specific disease, and mixed-type resorts that have a general strengthening effect on the body and help restore strength.

European centers of medical and health tourism are widely known throughout the world. The Czech Republic leads in the number of foreign tourists arriving for resort and sanatorium treatment. Every year it is visited by 50,000 people from more than 70 countries. The famous Czech health resort Karlovy Vary receives medical tourists from all five continents. This balneological resort is especially loved by residents of the CIS countries.

There are more than 300 resorts in Germany, which welcome over 1 million people from Europe, the USA and Canada. The mountain and balneological resorts of Austria and Switzerland are also the main European destinations for health tourism. Many world-famous resorts (Vichy, Evian) and thalassotherapy centers are located in France. Italy has a number of excellent balneological resorts. Medical and health tourism is developing rapidly in Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and Bulgaria. Romania and the republics of the former Yugoslavia also offer health programs at seaside and balneological resorts. Spain, Portugal and Greece attract tourists as seaside resorts.

On the American continent, the leader in health tourism is the United States. Most North American resorts are balneological, but they are visited mainly by Americans themselves. There are also climatic resorts, but US residents prefer to receive treatment and relax in the resorts of Cuba, the Bahamas and Central America. Australia has all the natural resources for health tourism, but due to the remoteness of the Green Continent, its resort hotels, like in the USA, are focused on receiving “domestic” tourists.

In Africa, health tourism began to actively develop not only due to an increase in the number of tourists in already known recreation and health areas (for example, in Egypt) but also in Tunisia, Morocco, Kenya and South Africa.

Traditional places of health tourism for residents of the CIS countries remain Israel (Dead Sea resorts), Egypt and Turkey with their sea climatic resorts.

A fairly developed resort infrastructure is also available in the CIS countries. In Russia there are now 45,000 health resorts, the most famous are the resort complexes of Greater Sochi and Caucasian Mineralnye Vody. The resorts of Crimea and Truskavets (Ukraine), Jurmala (Latvia) are also widely known in neighboring countries. However, due to the discrepancy between the level of service and high international standards, most of these resorts attract only residents of these countries.

Over the past 10 years, taking into account the growing needs of vacationers and the latest trends in the development of global health tourism, this area has been developing rapidly in India and the countries of Southeast Asia (Singapore, Thailand, China, Malaysia). As a rule, wellness in newly built luxury SPA hotels and wellness centers also includes methods of oriental medicine, which are increasingly in demand among supporters of a healthy lifestyle.

All over the world, scientific and technological progress is accelerating, urbanization processes are underway, which has both positive and negative consequences for human health. There is a decrease in the functional capabilities of the human body, which is manifested in the deterioration of the activity of its most important life-supporting systems. There is both an increase in the incidence of the population and the emergence of new, dangerous diseases; Stress loads increase significantly, and physical and mental fatigue accumulates in the human body.

At the same time, there is a trend in the world towards realizing the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Caring for health and increasing vital activity has become an integral part of the modern value system. There is a growing number of people seeking to maintain good physical fitness along with spiritual enrichment. The way employers view their employees has also changed.

All this creates the prerequisites for the accelerated development of medical and health tourism throughout the world.

According to the World Tourism Organization (WTO), treatment and recovery are among the most important tourist motivations. Over the past 15 years, the number of trips for treatment has increased globally by 10%. Today, medical and health tourism is acquiring a truly global scale. And we can say that the process of formation of the global medical tourism market is actively continuing.

There are still debates about which types of tourism should be classified as medical tourism and which as health tourism - if we use the purpose of travel as a criterion, then we can distinguish separately medical tourism and health tourism.

Medical tourism is carried out for the purpose of improving health and involves staying in sanatorium-resort institutions. The purpose of “treatment” is distinguished separately in the classification of travelers recommended by the WTO.

Medical and health tourism as a type of tourism

Tourism is temporary trips (travels) of people to another country or locality other than their place of permanent residence for a period of 24 hours to 6 months or with at least one overnight stay for entertainment, recreational, sports, guest, educational, religious and other purposes without engaging in activities paid for from a local source. A person making such a trip is called a tourist.

Tourism is usually divided into two types:

recreational tourism is a classic type of tourism, including:

wellness (“beach”);

educational (excursion);

nostalgic tourism;

dental tourism;

sports types.

business tourism:

business tourism;

congress tourism;

Each of these types of tourism can be divided into more specialized subtypes - pedestrian, water, space, disabled, religious, automobile, etc.

Medical and health tourism is driven by the need for the treatment of various types of diseases and the recovery of the body after illnesses. Here we can talk about tours with exclusively therapeutic purposes, for the treatment of any serious illnesses, rehabilitation after injuries, accidents, operations and medical and health tours, with the aim of maintaining youth, beauty and health, relieving stress and fatigue.

Resorts and their typology

A resort is a territory that has natural healing factors and the necessary conditions for their use for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes. Resort is an area that has valuable natural properties suitable for treatment with mineral waters, therapeutic mud or special climatic conditions (seas, lakes, mountain landscapes, forest areas, steppes, etc.). The following requirements apply to resorts:

1) the presence of natural healing factors that ensure the normal functioning of the resort;

2) the necessary technical devices and buildings for the rational use of resort factors (swimming pools, mud baths, beaches, etc.);

3) specially adapted premises for treatment and housing (sanatoriums, rest homes);

4) the presence of medical and preventive institutions providing medical care for patients and vacationers;

5) the presence of health facilities, sports facilities and playgrounds;

6) the presence of public institutions, catering establishments, trade and consumer services, cultural and educational institutions;

7) convenient entrances and means of communication;

8) landscaped territory, engineering and technical structures providing electricity and water supply, sewerage.

The specialization of any resort is determined by resort factors - natural healing factors used for the purposes of prevention, therapy and medical rehabilitation of patients at resorts. Main resort factors:

landscape and climatic conditions;

healing mud;

mineral water.

All resorts can be divided into 6 types:

1. Balneological mud resort - a type of resort where mineral waters and therapeutic mud dominate as the main healing factors.

2. Balneoclimatic resort - a type of resort where climate and mineral waters are the main healing factors.

3. Balneological resort - a type of resort where mineral waters are used as the main healing factors (for internal and external use).

4. Mud resort - a type of resort where therapeutic mud acts as the main healing factors.

5. Climato-kumys-therapeutic resort - a type of resort where the steppe and forest-steppe climate and kumiss - a fermented milk drink made from mare's milk - are used as the main therapeutic factors.

6. Climatic resort (seaside climatic resort, mountain climatic resort).

At the balneological resort, natural mineral waters are used as the main healing factor. They are recommended for external use (baths) and internal (inhalation, drinking, etc.) consumption. Mineral waters help cure many ailments. Among the patients coming to balneological resorts are mainly people with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular and nervous systems, respiratory tract and musculoskeletal system. Treatment at these resorts gives results comparable to the effects of conventional medications, but it eliminates the side effects that are inevitable when taking medications, lengthens the period of remission, and reduces the likelihood of subsequent exacerbations and their intensity. Mud resorts are tied to deposits of therapeutic mud (peloids). Mud therapy is indicated mainly for pathologies of the joints, nervous system of traumatic origin, as well as for gynecological and some other diseases. Climatic resorts are as varied as the climate itself. In the structure of climatic resorts in the world, forest (plain) resorts account for approximately 11.3%, mountain resorts - 24.2%, and climatic-kumys-therapeutic resorts - about 4.2%. Each of them has a unique combination of climatic and weather factors (temperature, atmospheric pressure, solar radiation, etc.), which are used for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes. The profile of the resort depends on the combination of these factors. If forest resorts with a continental climate are indicated for people suffering from diseases of the upper respiratory tract, asthma, and nervous system disorders, then staying in mountain resorts is recommended for initial forms of tuberculosis and anemia. The most common and popular type of climatic resort is seaside. These resorts make up 60.3% of the structure of climatic resorts in the world. An increasing number of tourists are discovering the opportunity to combine a seaside holiday with effective treatment. The maritime climate has a beneficial effect on people with diseases of the blood, bone tissue, and lymph glands. Along with the three main types of resorts - balneological, mud and climatic - transitional types are distinguished. They use several natural healing factors at once, for example, mineral waters and mud or climate and mineral waters. Transitional resorts are widespread in Europe and are increasingly attracting tourists from different countries. In recent years, spa resorts have become widespread. Such resorts are organized not only in recreational areas, but also in large cities, even in hotels intended for business tourism.

Differentiation of the development of medical and health tourism in the south of Russia

Medical and health tourism involves the movement of residents and non-residents within state borders and beyond state borders for a period of at least 20 hours and no more than 6 months for health purposes...

Medical and health tourism

Recently, the health tourism market has been undergoing changes. Traditional sanatorium resorts are no longer a place of treatment and recreation for the elderly, but will be replaced by multifunctional health centers...

Medical and health tourism in importance can be called the main type of tourism, since it is based on concern for human health as the main value of life. Medical tourism has a long rich history...

Medical and health tourism in Europe

The main areas of health tourism in the Old World are located in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as Western Europe. Former socialist countries have rich traditions of resort business...

Medical and health tourism in Europe

Today in Europe there are more than 3 thousand resorts, which are modern health centers. They play a significant role in shaping the gross national product of the member states of the European Union...

Medical and health tourism in Europe and Russia

General characteristics of Spain

Spain has many thermal springs, from Celtic and Roman baths to large balneological resorts. Mineral waters are used for baths, drinking treatments and inhalations. And the range of diseases recommended for treatment is wide...

Organization and conduct of medical tours using the example of the Krasnodar region

The concept of “medical tourism” does not have a clear definition. Based on the classification of travel purposes, then medical tourism can be conditionally classified as a special type of tourism - namely, tourism for medicinal purposes...

Development of tourism infrastructure in Greece

Medical and health tourism is driven by the need for the treatment of various types of diseases and the healing of the body after illness. Resorts in Greece are very popular for treatment and healing of the body...

§ 4. Geography of medical and health tourism

Traveling for medicinal purposes has a long history. Even the ancient Greeks and Romans used healing springs and places with a favorable climate in order to improve their health. Not only sick people, but also healthy people who wanted to relax and had sufficient funds for this, arrived at the resorts. In Greece Epidaurus and Kos were famous, and in Rome the secular seaside resort of Baiae was famous.

Features of medical and health tourism. Medical and health tourism has a number of distinctive features. Firstly, your stay at the resort, regardless of the type of illness or disease, must be long, at least three weeks. Only in this case the desired healing effect is achieved. Secondly, treatment at resorts is expensive. Although relatively cheap tours have recently begun to be developed, this type of tourism is designed mainly for wealthy clients who are increasingly focused not on a standard set of medical services, but on an individual treatment program. Another feature is that people of the older age group go to resorts when chronic diseases worsen or their weakening body is unable to cope with everyday stress at work and at home. Accordingly, these tourists choose between resorts that specialize in the treatment of a specific disease, and mixed-type resorts that have a general strengthening effect on the body and help restore strength.

Modern transformations of resort centers are due to two circumstances. First of all, a change in the nature of demand for medical and health services. A healthy lifestyle is becoming fashionable, and all over the world there is a growing number of people who want to maintain good physical shape and need restorative anti-stress programs. These are mostly middle-aged people who prefer active recreation and are often pressed for time. According to many experts, type consumers will be the main clients of sanatorium resorts and a guarantee of the prosperity of medical and health tourism in the 21st century.

The second reason for the reorientation of resorts is that their traditional support, including financial support, from municipalities and the state is declining. Health resorts are forced to diversify their product in order to enter new segments of the consumer market and attract additional customers.

While maintaining the therapeutic function, resorts make the program of stay for patients more varied and hold cultural and sporting events. They offer a wide range of health and recuperation services. Thalassotherapy has recently been very popular in seaside hotels; the Anti-Cellulite and Phyto-Beauty-Rejuvenation programs are also in high demand. The duration of treatment and recovery courses becomes more flexible.

At the International Congress on Medical and Health Tourism, held in Spain in 1999, the importance of developing this type of tourism for modern society was noted and, in this regard, the need to conduct a large-scale study of the recreation and treatment market, develop and implement resort service standards was emphasized.

Main types of resorts. There are three main types of resorts: balneological, mud and climatic. At the balneological resort, natural mineral waters are used as the main healing factor. They are recommended for external (bath) and internal (drinking, inhalation, etc.) consumption. Mineral waters help cure numerous ailments. Among the patients coming to balneological resorts, people with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular and nervous systems, musculoskeletal system, etc. prevail. Conducted medical studies confirm the effectiveness of treating a number of diseases at balneological resorts. It gives results comparable to the effects of conventional medications, but it eliminates the side effects that are inevitable when taking medications, extends the period of remission, and reduces the likelihood of subsequent exacerbations and their intensity.

Another type of resort - mud - is tied to deposits of therapeutic mud (peloids). Mud therapy is indicated mainly for pathologies of the joints, nervous system of traumatic origin, as well as for gynecological and some other diseases. Thanks to modern methods and advanced technologies, mud therapy can achieve high medical results, which contributes to the growing popularity of mud resorts among tourists in need of medical care.

Climatic resorts are as varied as the climate itself. Forest (plain), mountain, seaside, climatic - kumys - medicinal - each of them has a unique combination of climatic and weather factors (temperature, atmospheric pressure, solar radiation, etc.), which are used for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes. The profile of the resort depends on the combination of these factors. If forest resorts with their characteristic continental climate mainly accept people with diseases of the upper respiratory tract, asthma, and nervous system disorders, then staying in mountain resorts is recommended for initial forms of tuberculosis and anemia.

The most common type of climatic resort is seaside. More and more tourists are opening themselves up to the possibility of combining a seaside holiday with effective treatment. The maritime climate allows you to cope with many ailments. It has a beneficial effect on people with diseases of the blood, bone tissue, and lymph glands. After completing the course of treatment, patients feel better; they can go without medication for a long time or reduce the dose of medications they take.

Another type of climatic resorts is climato-kumys-therapeutic resorts. They are located in the steppe zone and are famous for their combined treatment method, combining the palatal properties of the arid steppe climate and kumiss, a fermented milk drink made from mare's milk. Kumiss increases the digestibility of proteins and fats and promotes weight gain. The number of climate-kumys-therapeutic resorts in the world is small - about 40. The vast majority of them (about half) are located in the Russian Federation, as well as in the former Soviet republics (Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan).

Along with the three main types of resorts - balneological, mud and climatic - there are transitional resorts that occupy an intermediate position. They use several natural healing factors at once, for example, mineral waters and mud or climate and mineral waters, and cannot be classified into any one of the three types. Transitional resorts are relatively widespread in Europe and attract a growing number of tourists.

Medical and health tourism in Europe. The main areas of health tourism in the Old World are located in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as Western Europe. Former socialist countries have rich traditions of resort business, have a wide range of healing natural and climatic resources, and use modern effective methods of disease prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of patients. By setting relatively low prices for resort services with an equally high therapeutic effect, they have gained a competitive advantage and control a large share of the European health tourism market.

The list of European countries leading in tourist arrivals for sanatorium and resort treatment is headed by the Czech Republic. The largest and most famous Czech health resort is Karlovy Vary. According to the National Tourism Administration of the Czech Republic, about 50 thousand people from more than 70 countries of the world visit it annually for treatment and about 2 million tourists.

The history of the resort is inextricably linked with the discovery and development of mineral water sources. According to legend, the first healing spring was discovered by Emperor Charles IV while hunting in these places. Following the first, other sources were found. Today there are officially 12 of them. The most powerful among them is Vřídlo. It is a geyser that throws out about 2000 liters of hot water per minute to a height of 12 m.

In terms of their chemical composition, Karlovy Vary mineral waters are bicarbonate-sulfur-chloride-sodium. A comprehensive scientific analysis of them was carried out by Dr. D. Becher (1725-1792), whose activities were invaluable for the development of balneology in Karlovy Vary. Through his efforts, in 1764 geyser salt began to be produced in large quantities and then exported. Dr. Becher achieved the introduction of progressive treatment methods that have not lost their relevance today. The scientist promoted treatment using baths with mineral water, as well as drinking it directly next to the source, combined with long walks in the fresh air.

Many people came to the resort to improve their failing health. Peter the Great and Karl Marx, Beethoven and Bismarck, as well as Schiller, Goethe, Gogol, Turgenev, Goncharov, Sigmund Freud and others visited here.

Karlovy Vary today welcomes visitors from all five continents. But the resort is especially loved by Russian citizens and German tourists due to the favorable price-quality ratio of treatment.

In addition to Karlovy Vary, in the Czech Republic there is one (the oldest resort in Europe - Teplice, the world's first radon sanatorium resort of Jáchymov, the resorts of Marianske Lazne and Frantiskovy Lazne, Luhacovice, as well as Janske Lazne, where the first sanatorium in Europe was opened, specializing in the treatment of infantile paralysis, etc.

Recently, the country has been taking measures to more actively promote Czech health resorts in the European health tourism market. Resorts are opening intimate theater stages, galleries and exhibition halls, dance cafes, gambling establishments, and nightclubs. They expand the possibilities of active recreation, creating conditions for playing golf, tennis, swimming, yachting, horse riding, karate, hiking and cycling. Treatment and health programs are successfully combined with cultural, entertainment and educational events. Czech resorts hold music festivals, song competitions, spa balls, aerobics marathons, sales exhibitions, and folklore festivals. The now traditional International Feature Film Festival is taking place in Karlovy Vary. These measures, aimed at attracting tourists and expanding their contingent, can revive the former splendor and glory of Czech health resorts.

The main competitor of the Czech Republic in the European health tourism market is Hungary. It is rightly called the thermal baths area. About half a million cubic meters of thermal waters per day flow from natural springs and wells, some of them are used in medicine. In the 19th century Hungary is becoming a European center for hydrotherapy bathing. Today, 22 cities and 62 Hungarian villages have officially recognized healing springs.

Visiting balneological resorts is one of the main motivations for traveling to Hungary. In 1998, every third tourist arriving in this country went to the waters. Holidays and treatment at Hungarian resorts are especially popular among citizens of Germany, the USA, Austria, as well as the population of Hungary itself. These four countries account for over half of all arrivals.

Tourist flows flow in two directions: to and to Lake Balaton. Back in the 19th century. The capital of Hungary, Budapest, received the status of a city of medicinal waters. One of its attractions is the eastern baths, which have been preserved and continue to function since the time of Turkish rule in the 16th-17th centuries. Those tourists who want to combine treatment with water recreation go to one of the largest and warmest lakes in Europe - Lake Balaton. It is an ideal location for fishing, swimming, sailing, rowing and water skiing. Every year up to 100 thousand tourists from different countries come to the lake.

Poland is represented on the health tourism market by balneological and climatic resorts. The main seaside balneological and mud bath resorts - Swinoujscie, Kamen Pomorski, Kolobrzeg - are located on the Baltic Sea coast. They are less known than the Czech and Hungarian ones, and cannot yet compete with them. The lack of proper advertising, the low level of medical care, as well as the cold sea - all this limits the possibilities of Polish resorts.

The development of seaside medical and health tourism in Poland, as well as in the three Baltic states - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, is negatively affected by the unfavorable environmental situation in the region. Coastal areas of the sea are polluted by industrial wastes and emissions. Many enterprises are technically outdated and need to be re-equipped to meet environmental requirements. The bulk of harmful substances enter the sea and atmosphere from sources located along the eastern and southeastern coasts, areas where cities and industrial facilities are concentrated. Due to increased levels of bacterial pollution, some Baltic beaches are closed and a ban on people swimming is established. In such years, tourist flows to the coastal areas of Poland are sharply reduced.

A more encouraging situation is developing for climatic resorts located in mountainous areas. They are very numerous, and mountain climatic tourism can be considered as a branch of Poland’s specialization in the field of health tourism.

The country's mountain resorts are concentrated in the Sudeten and Carpathian mountains. On the eastern slope of the Sądecki Beskids there was a pearl of Polish resorts - the town of Krynica. For centuries it has been known in Europe for its mineral waters and healing mud, and more recently as an important mountain-climatic and sports center.

In addition to the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland, health tourism is developing in Bulgaria, Romania and the republics of the former Yugoslavia. These countries have access to warm seas and offer mainly health programs at resorts of a seaside climatic type. In addition, Europe's only deposit of naphthalan, a type of oil used in medicine, was discovered in Croatia. The Ivanich-Grad resort, created on its basis, accepts patients suffering from diseases of the skin and musculoskeletal system. Slovakia, reviving the resort business, is gradually changing the image of the country of ski tourism. By equipping thermal health resorts with modern equipment and technologies, it will soon be able to, to a certain extent, redirect tourist flows previously heading to the neighboring Czech Republic and take its rightful place in the market of medical and health tourism.

The countries of Western Europe, somewhat displaced by the former socialist states, are distinguished by deep traditions of the resort business. Resorts of world significance are located here: Baden-Baden and Wiesbaden in Germany, Vichy in France, Bath in Great Britain, Spa in Belgium, etc. They became especially popular in the second half of the 19th century, when they developed not only as places of treatment, but and rest. The mixture of architectural styles and colors, the melodic sounds of music heard from the pavilions, concerts, performances and balls, fashion shows and the first cars, gambling, pleasure walks and more gave them a unique flavor.

The most important principles of organizing the resort business in the West, laid down in the 19th century, have not undergone significant changes. Eggs arriving at resorts today are usually not prescribed a strict daily routine; they choose their own time for treatment procedures and are not required to follow medical advice.

The vast majority of resorts in Western Europe are concentrated in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. They are represented mainly by two types: balneological and climatic. In Germany, in addition to the already mentioned Baden-Baden and Wiesbaden, the most famous balneological resorts are Badenweiler, Wildbad and Bayersbronn, located at the foot of the Black Forest mountain range, Bad Homburg and Bad Nauheim - near Frankfurt am Main, Aachen - in the west countries, etc. Among the climatic resorts, mountain and forest resorts predominate (Quedlinburg, Oberhof, Füssen), as well as seaside resorts (Wangeroge, Dame, Travemünde, Heiligenhafen, Flensburg). Although the Germans themselves prefer to relax on seas that are warmer than the North, these health resorts do not experience a shortage of tourists. Every year, German resorts welcome over 1 million people. Preventive and rehabilitation programs offered by German climatic and balneological centers are in demand among residents of France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the USA and Canada.

Austria is rightfully proud of its numerous resorts. The most famous of them, the balneological resort of Bad Gastein, is located in the south of the province of Salzburg, in the valley of the Gastein River. It is created on the basis of hot radon springs.

Bad Gastein began to develop rapidly in 1828 and by the middle of the last century acquired global significance. The resort has hosted many famous guests and crowned heads from all over Europe. Composer Franz Schubert and artist Adolf von Menzel, German philosophers Wilhelm von Humboldt and Arthur Schopenhauer visited here. The German Emperor Wilhelm I and the Reich Chancellor Otto von Bismarck and the Emperor of Austria-Hungary Franz Joseph II were treated in Bad Gastein.

These days, the flow of tourists to Bad Gastein has increased significantly. Some of them come to the resort to relax. For this, all conditions have been created in Bad Gastein: indoor and outdoor swimming pools are open all year round, there is a theatre, casino, discos and other cultural and entertainment facilities. Another part of tourists goes to the resort for medical purposes. On the advice of a doctor, they can undergo treatment courses in the radon galleries of Mount Radhausberg, which help with diseases of the nervous, cardiovascular, bronchopulmonary systems, musculoskeletal system, and hormonal disorders. According to medical statistics, 70% of patients improve after visiting Bad Gastein, so the resort, despite high prices, is more than 90% occupied.

In addition to trips to balneological and climatic resorts, Austria encourages the development of lakeside medical and health tourism. Every year the lakes Attersee, Mondsee, Ossiacher See and Toplitzsee attract about 1 million tourists. In general, more than 20% of tourist arrivals to the country are for medicinal purposes.

Switzerland is somewhat inferior to Germany and Austria in terms of the number of resorts, but as a destination for medical and health tourism it is no less popular. True, resort services in this country are available only to wealthy clients, since their cost is very high.

Balneological health resorts (Baden, Bad Ragaz) and especially mountain climatic resorts (Arosa, Davos, St. Moritz, Zermatt, etc.) enjoy well-deserved fame among the Swiss and guests from abroad. Switzerland was one of the first to practice herbal treatment. A large phytotherapeutic center in Crans-Montana is located here. Herbal decoctions and infusions help activate the body's protective functions, get rid of excess fat, and slow down the aging process. The center successfully treats dermatosis, metabolic disorders, diabetes, joint diseases, and nervous system disorders.

Southern Europe is represented mainly by Italy in the health tourism market. Its balneological resorts are concentrated in the northeast of the country, in the Emilia-Romagna region, and on the island of Ischia, rich not only in thermal waters, but also in healing mud.

Spain, Portugal, and Greece attract tourists with their climatic seaside resorts, which are better known as recreation and entertainment areas. Specialized medical resorts in these countries are few in number, making up only a few percent of their total number.

In Northern Europe, health tourism is poorly developed. The seaside climatic resorts of Denmark and the Netherlands and the lakeside resorts of Norway, Finland and Sweden stand out, but they are of predominantly internal importance.

Medical and health tourism in America. On the American continent, the undisputed leader in the health tourism market is the United States. Their achievements in the field of healthcare (tissue and organ transplantation, cardiac surgery, plastic surgery) are generally recognized. The medical and auxiliary medical personnel are considered one of the best, if not the most qualified in the world, and the clinical complexes are equipped with the latest science and technology. But medical care in the United States is expensive, so more and more Americans are paying priority to their health, preventing various diseases, and for this purpose they go to resorts. The main type of North American resorts is balneological. They are available in many states. The famous mineral water resorts of Mammoth Springs, Heber Springs, and Hot Springs are located in the south-central part of the United States, in the state of Arkansas. Vacations at seaside climatic resorts are in demand: Long Beach in the suburbs of New York, Hatteras on the Atlantic coast in North Carolina, Miami Beach in Florida, San Diego and Santa Cruz in California, etc. Popular and lakeside resorts, although for the most part Americans prefer to relax and receive treatment in resorts in Central America, Barbados, Cuba and the Bahamas.

Medical and health tourism in the Middle East. In the Middle East, streams of tourists with medical and health purposes are directed along the “road of life” to the Dead Sea. Saturated with salts and minerals, its waters are unsuitable for even the simplest organisms. But tourists coming to the Israeli resorts of Ein Bokek, Ein Bukek, Ein Gedi, Neve Zohar and others located on the Dead Sea know that they will receive first-class therapeutic treatment.

The area of the Dead Sea, or, as it is often called, the Salt Sea, is distinguished by a unique combination of natural healing factors - thermal mineral waters, healing mud and special biometeorological conditions that have a beneficial effect on humans.

About a million years ago, as a result of a shift in the earth's crust, the Dead Sea was cut off from the ocean, turning into a closed lake with a high concentration of salt and minerals. Its waters contain 80 times more bromine, 35 times more magnesium and 10 times more salt than the ocean.

The special chemical composition of water helps restore energy and rejuvenate the body. Bromine calms the nervous system, magnesium stimulates tone and refreshes the skin. The high density explains the phenomenal property of the Dead Sea water, how it holds the human body on the surface, even if he is absolutely devoid of swimming skills. Staying in a state of “weightlessness” in a healing natural bath is not easy fun. This is an effective healing procedure, indicated primarily for people with joint diseases.

The Dead Sea is “fed” by thermal mineral springs, freshwater springs, and mountain streams. All of them carry with them healing mud that settles on the coast. Rich in organic substances, minerals and salts, peloids activate the body's metabolism, accelerate blood circulation, relax muscles and stimulate hair growth. Patients take handfuls of mud from the sea and rub it over the body, covering the face and hair, or apply it to affected areas of the skin and joints. A daily set of mud treatments, along with sulphide baths and swimming, relieves pain and stiffness caused by rheumatoid arthritis.

Muds are also widely used in cosmetology. They make the skin soft, elastic and smooth. People knew about the amazing properties of the Dead Sea peloids back in the time of Queen Cleopatra. This is confirmed by data from archaeological excavations. In the course of them, scientists discovered some kind of cosmetic factory, built to satisfy the whims of the famous Egyptian queen.

Tourists arriving at the Dead Sea are amazed by the local air. It is crystal clear and, due to intense evaporation, is saturated with oxygen, ozone, light bromine and iodine ions. Thanks to this composition, seaside air has a relaxing effect on the body, creating a feeling of comfort in a person.

The main contingent of people heading to the Dead Sea resorts for treatment are patients with psoriasis and dermatitis. Therapy for these skin diseases includes dosed exposure to the sun. On the shores of the Dead Sea, he can sunbathe longer than usual without fear of burns. The harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation are not so noticeable here due to the unique geographical location of the sea. It is located 395 m below sea level. At this lowest point on the earth's surface, the thickened atmosphere and vapor layer in the air act as a kind of filter that prevents the penetration of ultraviolet rays. After just ten sessions of sunbathing, patients’ well-being improves, the skin gradually becomes clean and smooth, maintaining its restored qualities after the end of the course of treatment.

Therapy at the Dead Sea resorts radically changes our ideas about the healing process. Here it is more reminiscent of pampering relaxation and entertainment rather than some set of procedures.

Medical and health tourism in Asia, Oceania and Africa. In the countries of South Asia, East and Southeast Asia, medical and health tourism is poorly developed. Alternative medicine, herbal medicine and acupuncture, which are widespread in the East, are not so attractive to foreign tourists.

Australia has all the natural resources necessary for health tourism. The large balneological resorts of Daylesford, Morck, and Springwood are concentrated in the southeast of the mainland. The seaside climatic resorts of Australia are also famous in the world. The Gold Coast, Daydream Island, and Cairns are considered ideal places for relaxation and treatment. However, Australia's remoteness from Europe and America - the main regions generating tourist demand - prevents the expansion of incoming tourist flows, therefore Australian resorts, like American ones, are focused on receiving mainly domestic tourists.

In Africa, health tourism is gaining momentum. The popularity of Tunisian resorts is growing. In 1996, a new Water and Mud Treatment Center was opened here, which became one of the largest in the world. It is equipped with modern equipment and highly qualified personnel. Treatment at the Center includes various types of massage using sea water and mud.

On the northern coast of Africa there are seaside climatic resorts. In Egypt, this is Hurghada, a recognized tourist center on the Red Sea, the international class resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, as well as Dahab and Nuweiba; in Morocco - Agadir, Mohammedia, Tangier, El Hoceima, etc. The seaside resorts of Kenya are located on the Indian Ocean coast: Mombasa, Kipini, Malindi, Lamu, Kilifi. There are several resorts in South Africa. The rest of Africa has neither natural resources nor the means to develop the resort business.

BASIC CONCEPTS

Spatial structure of tourism, intraregional tourist exchange, interregional tourist flows, incentive tourism, convention and exhibition tourism, religious tourism, pilgrimage, health tourism, balneological resort, mud resort, seaside resort

TEST QUESTIONS AND TASKS

1. Show the tourist regions and subregions of the world on a geographical map.

2. Draw on a contour map the main tourist flows in Europe, America and the Asia-Pacific region.

3. Name the reasons why in most tourist macro-regions of the world intraregional tourist exchange prevails over interregional one. How does their ratio change?

4. Which country in the world leads in the number of tourist arrivals? Choose the correct answer: USA, France, Germany, Japan, Spain.

5. Which nation is the most traveled in the world?

6. What are the features of the spatial distribution of tourist flows for the purpose of recreation and entertainment?

7. Develop a tourist route for a group of Russian students in one of the countries of the world.

8. What are incentive tours and what is their geography?

9. What specialized tourism exhibitions and exchanges do you know?

10. Mark on the contour map the largest health resort centers in the world. Give them a brief description.

11. How can we explain the growing demand of Western tourists for spa treatments in Central and Eastern Europe?

12. Name the main tourist centers in France. What is their tourism specialization?

13. Show on a geographical map the main centers of pilgrimage in the world. Name the most revered shrines of the three world religions.

14. Complete the description of the city in the tourist route “Golden Ring of Russia”

This city is located 70 km north of Moscow. It arose near the monastery as a settlement. Known as a center of Orthodox pilgrimage. There is a monastery, the Moscow Theological Academy and a theological seminary here. Recently the city's historical name was returned. This is........................ (finish the sentence).

15. Make a short guide to one of the tourist countries in the world.

Medical tourism in Western Europe, organization technologies. Course work: Medical and health tourism in Europe. Assessment of medical and health tourism resources in Europe