Spas are an important segment of Serbia’s natural assets and one of its major development trump cards, due to the fact that half of the tourist turnover in Serbia is actually health tourism.
The Serbian government has recognized the significance of this segment of tourism in Serbia and the whole of the Balkans, said Serbian Parliament Speaker Nebojša Stefanović, opening the Third Balkan Spa Summit in Aranđelovac, central Serbia. Jelena Gligorić has more.
From 5 to 8 September, Serbia is hosting the most important event in the sphere of health tourism in the Balkans, which has gathered ten countries of the region. Consultations, education, exchange of experience, good practice examples and agreements represent a course towards a merge of medicine and tourism and the deletion of borders between recreation and treatment. Considering the historical, cultural and demographic similarities and centuries-long geographical connections, the Balkan Spa Summit represents a chance for the creation of a new tourist product, attractive for tourists in search of new destinations. Tourism represents a pillar of economic development of society as a whole, so it must involve all the Balkan countries, said Stefanović.
Tourism is one of the important factors of efficient economic growth and development and, as such, represents a most valuable natural and social asset. All the economic and political ideas in common will strengthen our region and each country therein. If we approach the big tourist markets together, we could become a favourite destination even in countries where we are not sufficiently known, he said.
The gathering is organized by the Serbian Spa Association. The president of the Association, Dejan Stanojević, emphasized that in the creation of this strategic export product of the Balkans one of the most important goals is the standardization of spa services and the promotion of Balkan spas.
The most efficient way to introduce standards in our spas is a unique education of staff in medical and non-medical fields. Therefore I regard a future Balkan Spa Academy as our major task and I expect all to help in its foundation and subsequent activities as much as they can, he said. At the opening of the Third Balkan Spa Summit, the secretary of the Serbian Spa Association, Vladan Vešković,presented recognitions for years-long successful work to members celebrating their anniversaries this year and having merit for the fact that Serbian balneology is among the best in Europe.
The Association plays an important role in the creation of conditions for successful spa tourism and business in Serbia.
The Third Balkan Spa Summit has gathered the largest number of countries so far and represents an opportunity for guests to get to know and enjoy the natural beauties of Aranđelovac, Bukovička banja spa and this part of the central Serbian Šumadija region. There are more than 40 spa and climatic resorts in Serbia, which are mostly visited with a view to prevention of diseases, but also for the purpose of recreation and hiking.
Serbian spas also boast rich cultural and historical heritage of national and international importance, which is another reason why Serbia should live in tourism and on tourism, it was emphasized at the opening ceremony, held in the Izvor hotel in Aranđelovac, which is the only five-star hotel in Serbian spas. Radio Srbija.
source: http://www.balkans.com / Balkans.com Business News / Home> Business Section , Business News Correspondent / September 12th, 2013
