Medical tourism occupies a special place in the system of global resort and tourism relations. In terms of person-days of stay, medical tourism occupies less than 1% of global tourist turnover, and in the structure of income - more than 5%, i.e. is the most money-intensive tourism industry. All over the world, theorists of the leisure industry are busy searching for the most exotic entertainment, but what is most valued is the opportunity to restore health during exciting tourist routes.

Medical tourism has become an industry since the 80s. XX century However, the history of its development goes back centuries. Even the ancient Greeks and Romans used healing springs and places with a favorable climate 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.

At all times, the motivation for traveling has remained unchanged. The healing properties of natural factors continue to attract patients to resort areas. The flows of tourists traveling for medicinal purposes are not yet as numerous as those traveling for relaxation and entertainment. However, they are growing rapidly and their geography is expanding.

Features of medical and health tourism. Medical and health tourism has a number of distinctive features. Firstly, the stay at any resort, regardless of the disease, must be quite long, at least not less than three weeks. Otherwise, it will not be possible to achieve the desired healing effect. Secondly, treatment at resorts is expensive. Although relatively inexpensive tours have recently begun to appear, this type of tourism is designed mainly for wealthy clients, usually focused not on a standard set of medical services, but on an individual treatment program. Thirdly, people of the older age group go to resorts when their symptoms worsen. chronic diseases or a weakening body is unable to cope with everyday stress at work and at home. Accordingly, these tourists make a choice 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 promote recuperation.

Recently, the health tourism market has been undergoing changes. Traditional sanatorium resorts are ceasing to be places of treatment and recreation for the elderly and are becoming multifunctional health centers designed for a wide range of consumers.

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

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

The programs of stay at the resorts are becoming more and more diverse and, in addition to various courses of treatment, provide for all kinds of 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 in high demand. The timing of arrivals and the duration of treatment and rehabilitation courses are becoming more flexible.

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

Modern market therapeutic rest. The modern market for therapeutic recreation is formed by recreational enterprises that provide medical services (resorts), tourism firms and other enterprises that sell these services (intermediaries).

Medical services are among the most expensive, as they are based on the use of valuable natural healing resources, which requires complex balneotechnical facilities and medical equipment. In addition, this requires specially trained medical personnel, the number of which in health resorts varies from 0.5 to 3-4 people per vacationer. Regarding specialized dietary nutrition vacationers at resorts, then good clinical sanatoriums offer up to 12-15 types of dietary tables. It is clear that for this the staff must be staffed with appropriate doctors and chefs-nutritionists.

At the same time, at medical resorts the entire structure inherent in simply health centers is preserved. It provides comfortable living conditions for vacationers and the implementation of interesting entertainment and sports programs. Therefore, holidays at health resorts always cost much more than other types of health holidays. Such attractive conditions contribute to the use of resorts not only for medical and health purposes, but also for other purposes. An analysis of the work of well-known resort hotels shows that in the off-season, many medical and health institutions switch to congress and business tourism. For example, in the US, 44% of corporate meeting planners held their events at resorts. The so-called incentive tourism provides 25% of the income of the individual tourism market. It provides full board service as all services are provided under one roof.

Based on the level of medical services provided, resort institutions can be divided into sanatoriums and boarding houses with treatment. The former are distinguished by a variety of treatment services, which allows for comprehensive treatment of vacationers. This is mainly typical for Russian resorts. The latter are hotel complexes with a limited range of treatment services aimed at treating specific diseases, according to narrow special programs, without taking into account other pathologies that vacationers have. Such resorts are widespread in Western Europe and Israel. Most Western resorts have a health-improving focus, while medical services are provided mainly by balneological resorts.

All medical resorts are located in medical areas characterized by a certain set of landscape and climatic conditions and hydromineral resources. The network of medical recreation institutions includes both free-standing health resorts and resort areas and agglomerations, which are territories with a high concentration of medical recreation enterprises united by a general resort economy.

In addition to the network of sanatorium and resort institutions in Russia, a network of non-resort medical and health institutions has developed, which includes sanatoriums organized by enterprises for the preventive health of employees not during vacation, but during the working period. They provide services to employees of enterprises before and after their work. Sanatoriums are located in a green zone, close to production. The medical equipment of these institutions is similar to that of a sanatorium, and the sports and leisure complexes are much more modest.

Unlike the Western resort system in Russia:

■ the resort industry was initially dominant in tourism and therefore has the most widespread network of recreation facilities and the most powerful material base;

■ the resort business is put on a scientific basis, both in the field of systematic study and protection of natural medicinal resources, and in the organization of the healing process at resorts.

Only Russian resorts had a serious diagnostic base (functional diagnostic departments) and a comprehensive treatment program, taking into account not only the disease profile at a given resort, but also all concomitant pathologies among vacationers. This allowed:

■ provide an individual approach to each vacationer;

■ determine a special treatment regimen and technology for him;

■ adjust the prescribed course during treatment at the resort, depending on the patient’s reaction to certain procedures.

In addition, Russian resorts are differentiated according to age: for children, teenagers, young and middle-aged people, for the elderly, and the sick. All this required the development of appropriate treatment technologies.

In the process of its development, the resort industry has undergone significant changes. Along with the use of natural healing factors, physiotherapeutic, psychotherapeutic and other treatment methods were increasingly introduced into medical practice. Society's demands on resorts also changed. Not only medical services became important, but also the level of comfort of the rooms, sports equipment, and a variety of other services. The types of medical services are also influenced by fashion. So, in last years Western resorts have focused their attention on developing various cosmetic services for face and figure correction. This trend has not escaped Russian resorts either.

The main types of world resorts. There are three main types of resorts:

1) balneological;

2) mud;

3) climatic.

On balneological resorts 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. Mostly people with illnesses come to balneological resorts gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular and nervous systems s, musculoskeletal system, etc. Conducted medical studies confirm the effectiveness of treating a number of diseases at balneological resorts. It gives results comparable to conventional medicines, but without side effects. At the same time, the period of remission increases, the likelihood of subsequent exacerbations and their intensity decreases.

Mud resorts 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 allows achieving high medical results, which contributes to the growing popularity of mud resorts among tourists in need of medical care.

Climatic resorts as diverse as the climate itself (Fig. 1.6): forest (plain), mountain, coastal, climato-kumys-therapeutic. 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. For example, forest resorts with their characteristic continental climate receive mainly people suffering from diseases of the upper respiratory tract, asthma, nervous system disorders, and 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 discovering the opportunity to combine 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. At the end of 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 known for their combined method of treatment, combining the healing properties of the arid steppe climate and kumis - 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 - only about 40. Approximately half of these resorts are located in the Russian Federation and former Soviet republics (Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan).

Along with balneological, mud and climatic ones, there are transitional resorts, occupying 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 main types. Transitional resorts are quite common in Europe and are attracting an increasing number of tourists.

Control questions

1. What do the concepts of “resort business” and “resortology” mean and how do they relate?

2. What do the concepts of “resort” and “therapeutic and recreational area” mean, what are their types and types, features of functioning?

3. What is a sanatorium-resort service and what are its features and place among tourist and other services?

4. What natural and climatic factors exist and what are the features of their use in various resorts?

5. What reformed resort factors are used at resorts in health technologies?

6. What is medical and health tourism, what is its current state and requirements for its organization?

7. What is the medical tourism market like, what are the distinctive features of Russian and world resorts?

Topic 3. Management of the sanatorium and resort sector.

Historical evolution of approaches to resort management. Management of resorts at various levels. Implementation of management functions in health resort institutions. Main forms of resort activities in the Russian Federation. Organization of the work of the sanatorium. Contents of marketing, management and logistics in the field of development of a sanatorium and resort complex. The main economic characteristics of the domestic sanatorium and resort sector.

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 remedy satisfy recreational needs, as it combines different kinds recreational activities - health improvement, cognition, 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 study is Europe and its health resorts.

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

Features of medical and health tourism

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 absolutely suitable 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 at the resort 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, healing in newly built luxury SPA hotels and wellness centers also includes methods of oriental medicine, which are increasingly in demand among supporters healthy image life.

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 the purpose of travel is used 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.

Health tourism aims at health prevention and recreation. It is characterized by longer travel times, fewer cities visited, and longer stays in one place. The purpose of “leisure”, along with leisure and recreation, is present in the classification of travelers recommended by the WTO.

IN modern world The market of this direction in tourism that we are considering is undergoing noticeable changes. Traditional sanatorium resorts are ceasing to be places of treatment and recreation for the elderly and are becoming multifunctional health centers designed for a wide range of consumers.

The development of medical and health tourism in a particular region of the world is favored by certain physical and geographical factors or natural conditions. Such conditions include the presence of certain natural and recreational resources, i.e. resources that provide rest and restoration of human health and ability to work, as well as aesthetic resources - a combination of natural factors that have a positive effect on the spiritual state of people.

Medical and recreational - tourist resources are defined in Federal law dated November 24, 1996, No. 132-FZ “On the fundamentals of tourism activities in the Russian Federation”, the last amendments to which were made on February 5, 2007, as “natural, historical, socio-cultural objects that can satisfy the spiritual needs of tourists, promote the restoration and the development of their physical strength."

Resorts are areas that have natural resources for treatment and recreation (favorable climate, picturesque landscape, sources of healing mineral waters, deposits of medicinal mud, etc.), as well as institutions, structures, devices for the use of these natural resources for therapeutic, preventive and health purposes .

The main types of institutions at resorts are sanatoriums, holiday homes, boarding houses, resort clinics, resort hotels and medical hotels. Resort facilities and equipment include pump rooms, drinking galleries, balneotechnical structures, mud baths, climatic pavilions, beaches, etc.

The main types of resorts are distinguished depending on what natural healing factors the resorts have and their three main types are determined: balneotherapeutic, mud and climatic. Many resorts have several natural healing factors and, being transitional, occupying an intermediate position, are respectively called balneo-mud, balneoclimatic, climatic-mud, etc. Since in their therapeutic activities they simultaneously use, for example, mineral waters and mud or climate and mineral waters, they cannot be classified into any one of the three types. Such resorts are relatively widespread in Europe and attract a growing number of tourists.

At balneological or balneotherapeutic resorts, the main natural healing factor is natural mineral waters. They are recommended for external (baths, swimming pools) 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 produces results comparable to those of conventional medications, but without side effects, inevitable when taking medications, the period of remission is extended, the likelihood of subsequent exacerbations and their intensity is reduced.

Another type of resort - mud - is tied to deposits of therapeutic mud (peloids), which is used as the main or one of the main, along with the climate, natural mineral waters, healing factor.

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) - 11.3%, mountain - 24.2%, seaside, climato-kumys-therapeutic 4.2% in the structure of climatic resorts in the world - 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. Climatic resorts are characterized by a favorable climate and microclimate. If forest resorts with their characteristic continental climate welcome mainly 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 type of climatic resort is seaside. They make up 60.3% of the structure of climatic resorts in the world. More and more tourists are discovering the opportunity to combine seaside holidays 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 known for their combined method of treatment, combining the healing properties of the arid steppe climate and kumiss - a fermented milk drink made from mare's milk. To treat patients, dosed use of kumys is used. 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).

There are also resorts with special, unique healing factors that have no analogues. The following requirements apply to resorts:

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

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

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

Availability of treatment and preventive institutions providing medical care for patients and vacationers;

Availability of health facilities, sports facilities and playgrounds;

Availability of public facilities, institutions Catering, trade and consumer services, cultural and educational institutions;

Convenient entrances and connections;

Landscaped territory, engineering and technical structures providing electricity and water supply, sewerage.

Types of resorts

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.

So, all resorts can be divided into 6 types:

Balneological mud resort is a type of resort where mineral waters and therapeutic mud dominate as the main healing factors;

Balneoclimatic resort is a type of resort where climate and mineral waters are the main healing factors;

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

Mud resort is a type of resort where the main healing factors are therapeutic mud;

Climatokumys-therapeutic resort - a type of resort where the main therapeutic factors are the steppe and forest-steppe climate and kumiss - a fermented milk drink made from mare's milk;

Climatic resort (seaside; mountain).

Along with the three main types of resorts - balneological, mud and climatic - transitional types are distinguished. They use several natural healing factors at once.

In recent years, spa resorts have become widespread.

An individual program developed by spa center specialists not only makes a person healthy, but also contributes to a more positive perception of life. Medical and health tourism remains one of the most promising areas in the tourism industry. The basis of its popularity in the 21st century is the victory of the preventive direction in modern medicine, as well as fashion for a healthy body and a healthy mind.

7.1. The science of balneology

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, prevention purposes various diseases human body. Medical and health tourism is based on balneology.

Resortology is the science of natural healing factors, their effects on the body and methods of use for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes.

Main sections of balneology:

1. Balneology- a branch of balneology that studies medicinal mineral waters, their origin, physicochemical properties, effects on the body in various diseases, developing indications for their use in resorts and in non-resort conditions.
2. Balneotherapy- methods of treatment, prevention and restoration of impaired body functions with natural and artificially prepared mineral waters at resorts and in non-resort conditions.
3. Mud therapy- a method of treatment and prevention of body diseases using peloids, i.e., therapeutic mud of various origins, at resorts and in non-resort conditions.
4. Climatotherapy- a set of methods for treating and preventing diseases of the body using dosed exposure to climatic and weather factors and special climatic procedures on the human body.
5. Resortography- description of the location and natural conditions of resorts and resort areas with characteristics of their therapeutic factors, balneotherapeutic, climatotherapeutic and other conditions for treatment and recreation.

7.2. The origin and development of resorts

Medical and health tourism is one of the most ancient types of tourism industry. Since ancient times, people have learned to use mineral waters and medicinal mud for medicinal purposes. Among the most ancient (Bronze Age) material evidence of treatment with mineral waters are the ruins of permanent structures at carbonic water sources in the vicinity of the modern Swiss resort of St. Moritz.

The ruins of similar structures from the period of Roman rule have been preserved in various modern resorts in Romania, on the coast of Lake Balaton in Hungary, Baden in Switzerland and Austria, Wiesbaden in Germany, Exleben in France. In Italy, especially in Latium and on the coast of the Gulf of Naples, there were numerous resorts with mineral springs. The resort of Bailly with its terraced baths, which was a favorite vacation spot of the Roman nobility, was very famous.

In the early Middle Ages, famous resorts were Plom bier Les Bains and Aachen. Subsequently, the mineral springs of Spa and Cotres became famous, and the glory of the ancient springs of Abano Terme was revived. In the middle of the 14th century. The resort of Carlsbad (now Karlovy Vary) was founded. At the beginning of the 14th century. Baden Baden has become an actively visited resort.

At the beginning of the 17th century. In France, a resort inspectorate was created, whose task was to supervise the condition of resorts and their operation. At the same time, the use of resorts continued to be the exclusive privilege of the nobility. In the XVIII-XIX centuries. intensive development of European resorts begins based on a commercial approach. The revival of the resort business was accompanied by an expansion of the circle of their visitors at the expense of representatives of the bourgeoisie, officials and intelligentsia. In the XVIII-XIX centuries. Many Russians began to go “to the waters” in Baden-Baden, Wiesbaden and Carlsbad in the summer.

Currently, the resort business is best developed in France (more than 100 health resorts), Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania. Israel has made significant progress in the development of the resort business, turning the Dead Sea into a world-famous center of spa medicine.

In 1958, the International Spa Federation was founded. Initially, its tasks were social problems of the resort business and the organization of sanatorium and resort assistance to disabled people of the Second World War. Subsequently, a real resort industry arose.

7.3. History of the development of sanatorium and resort business in Russia

The first mentions of hot mineral springs in the North Caucasus in the area of ​​modern Pyatigorsk are contained in the works of the Arab traveler Ibn Batuta, who wrote about them in the middle of the 14th century. For the first time in Russia, measures were taken to explore mineral waters and exploit them for medicinal purposes on the initiative of Peter I. In 1717, a decree was issued “On the search for mineral waters in Russia,” which can be used “for various diseases.” In 1714, a source of “iron water” was discovered in Karelia, and already in 1719 a decree was issued on the Marcial Konchezersky waters near Petrozavodsk. This was the first officially approved resort in Russia - Marcial Waters.

In those same years, the German scientist H. Paulsen, by decree of Peter I, founded the Bader Baths resort on the Lipetsk salt waters. The discovery of Caucasian mineral waters near Kislovodsk took place in 1803, when the first residential buildings appeared near the source of “sour water” (Narzan) and the fortress was named Kislovodsk. In 1803, by decree of the Tsar, this region was recognized as a healing area. In 1810, mineral water springs were discovered in Zheleznovodsk and Essentuki. The Staraya Russa resort was founded in 1828, and in the 1830s. - Odessa mud resorts, in 1833 - Sergievsky Mineral Waters. In 1836, a mud clinic was opened on the shore of Lake Saki. In the second half of the 19th century. were recognized as medicinal climatic zones of Issyk Kul in Central Asia, Alma Arsan in Kazakhstan, Borjomi and Tskhaltubo in Georgia. In 1868, mineral springs were also discovered on the coast of the Sea of ​​Okhotsk, not far from modern Magadan. At the end of the 19th century. Numerous climatic resorts appeared on the southern coast of Crimea. By the beginning of the 20th century. in Russia there were 36 resorts with 60 sanatoriums with a total capacity of 3 thousand beds. The most popular and developed resorts were Pyatigorsk, Borjomi, Saki, Staraya Russa, Odessa, Yevpatoria and Yalta.

By the beginning of 1940, there were already 3,600 sanatoriums and holiday homes in the USSR with almost 470 thousand beds. A significant number of sanatoriums were intended for the treatment of children. In 1990, in Russia there were 14 thousand sanatoriums and holiday homes with 2.5 million beds. Powerful health resort complexes were created - Greater Sochi, Greater Yalta, Caucasian Mineralnye Vody, etc. Currently, the Russian resort complex has 45 thousand health resorts.

7.4. Resorts and their typology

Resort- a territory that has natural healing factors and the necessary conditions for their use for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes.

Resort- an area with 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.

Types of resorts

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 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 the main therapeutic factors are climate and mineral waters.
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 the main therapeutic factors are therapeutic mud.
5. Climatokumysalapeutic resort- a type of resort where the main therapeutic factors are the steppe and forest-steppe climate and kumiss - a fermented milk drink made from mare's milk.
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, there 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 healing 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. Transition 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.

According to forecasts, demand will continue to grow, because a healthy body and a healthy mind are not just a tribute to fashion. An individual program developed by spa center specialists not only makes a person healthier, but also contributes to a more positive perception of life. Recently, hotels with spa complexes at balneological resorts have become very popular, as well as special spa hotels, where the goals of healing, relaxation using a variety of water procedures and other means come first. Five-star city hotels always provide their guests with the services of fitness or spa centers.

There are several versions of the origin of this term. The most common belief is that it is an abbreviation of the Latin saying sanus per aqua - "health through water." Perhaps it comes from the name of the Belgian town of Spa with mineral springs, where the first balneological resort was organized (from the Latin balneum - “bath”).

Healing with mineral water and medicinal mud has been known for a long time. Even the ancient Greeks used baths with permanent ingredients to improve their health. The famous Roman baths - therms - appeared shortly before our era. With the spread of Christianity in medieval Europe, the bathhouse culture was forgotten. Only at the end of the 17th century, when it was proven that water procedures have a healing effect on the human body, they again became in demand, although in the East this tradition was not interrupted (remember, for example, the Turkish hammam bath, which has existed for many centuries).

Nowadays, spa hotels and hotels with spa complexes (usually high-category accommodation facilities), as a rule, are located in balneological resorts next to thermal mineral springs, which makes it possible to use water of a certain chemical composition and temperatures for various medicinal, health and cosmetic purposes.

In the spa complex of a large expensive hotel, in addition to the usual set (sauna, swimming pool, massage), clients are offered daily water therapy, which implies the presence of a variety of physiotherapeutic equipment and licensed specialists - doctors and cosmetologists. It provides rooms for hydrotherapy, cosmetic care for the face and body, a sauna (mini pool, spa bar, rooms for group/individual fitness classes or other types of physical exercise (yoga, water aerobics, etc.), relaxation area, locker room. Such hotels can be located both within the city and beyond, even at ski resorts, where increasingly spa programs are offered as an additional service.For example, conference or exhibition participants can take an intensive course for relaxation, stress relief or weight loss.

Spa sanatorium-type hotels are located in the resort area and have a full range of physiotherapy programs. Before going there, it is advisable to consult a doctor. They also offer wellness programs - general health, relaxation and beauty, which are suitable for a completely healthy person.

In sanatorium-type hotels, individual accommodation is provided in a room with a shower; the client is provided with bathrobes, slippers and towels. Here you can get a full diagnosis of your physical condition, and after completing a course of full treatment (21-24 days), achieve long-term remission (no manifestations of the disease). Traditional spa services are complemented by special diets and physical exercises: walking and cycling, tennis, golf. Such hotels must have a landscaped area with a park and flower beds, indoor and outdoor swimming pools.

Separately, we can note hotels with thalassotherapy centers (sea treatment) at seaside resorts, where sea water and sea products (algae, sea salt, medicinal mud), as well as products from well-known cosmetic lines, are used during procedures, mainly general health and cosmetic ones. Swimming in the sea, sunbathing, walking along the shore have a healing effect on the body and mood of a person, which together refreshes and renews the skin, calms the nerves, strengthens muscles, and improves not only the body, but also the soul. Therefore, staying in the now very fashionable hotels with thalassotherapy centers is not so much treatment as relaxation and a pleasant pastime with health benefits. French cosmetologists have found that the effect of a weekly course lasts six to eight months.

There are such centers in many countries of the world that have a sea coast, because sea water should be stored in tanks for no more than 48 hours and never reused. In Europe, there are especially many of them in France, Cyprus, Italy and Spain, in Southeast Asia - on the islands of Koh Samui (Thailand) and Bali (Indonesia).

You can plunge into the atmosphere of luxury and pampering by staying in a large four-five-star spa hotel, where life is subordinated to one task: every client should improve their health and relax, relieve stress and disconnect from everyday worries. They usually have so many treatments to offer that it is worth getting information about them in advance.

Some spa hotels book rooms only if the client immediately orders spa treatments, while in others the “spa menu” can be compiled upon arrival at the place. The cult of a healthy lifestyle reigns here. The uniform is sports, the use of mobile phones and perfume is kept to a minimum. Restaurants offer balanced and healthy dishes. With the help of a variety of water procedures of the so-called spa menu, offered in each specific center, you can increase muscle tone, relax, get rid of diseases and stress, lose weight and look younger. It is advisable that all procedures be agreed upon with a doctor, as many of them have contraindications.

Hydrotherapy includes many different techniques: showers, baths (general, local, sitz), steam inhalations, rubbing, compresses (hot and cold), wraps and much more. On average, the procedure lasts 15-20 minutes, some - three to four minutes (for example, irrigation of the nasal cavity). The most popular are showers and baths. The shower gently envelops the body or, conversely, massages (tones) it. Moreover, water flows should be directed from peripheral organs to the heart. Showers vary in temperature: cold (+8…+18 °C), indifferent (+33…+35 °C), warm (+36…+38 °C), hot (from +40 °C); according to the shape and direction of the jets: rain, needle, dust, circular, jet (Charcot and Scottish showers), fan, ascending; according to the degree of water pressure: low (up to 1 atm), medium (1.5-2 atm), high (2.5-4 atm); by localization of impact: general or local. For example, an underwater shower massage is carried out in a special bath with a compact stream of water, as a result of which the patient’s blood circulation and lymph flow improves and has a tonic effect on the body. Among the technically complex ones, we can note the Snail shower complex shower installation, which combines seven types of shower (circular, rain, dust, tropical, needle, fan and Scottish) and affects the senses: touch (body massage with jets of various shapes, temperatures and pressures ), smell (aromatherapy), vision (special lighting). Various baths are divided into general, local and half-baths. In spa centers, baths with mineral water(carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, radon, nitrogen, chloride, sodium) varying degrees salinity and temperature. Many ladies prefer pearl baths, when bubbling air bubbles provide a kind of “tactile massage.” Ozone molecules penetrate the skin and activate the antioxidant system in superficial tissues. In sitz baths for the thighs, both cold and hot water are used (according to indications), as well as for local baths (for the legs or arms). Expensive spa hotels often offer a “Cleopatra bath,” designed for water treatments combined with aromatherapy. Sea water or salt, algae, wine, milk, honey, rose petals, green tea, infusions of herbs and flowers, as well as medicines can be added to it. It is used for hardening, prevention and treatment of various diseases, and stress relief. Rubdowns are used for medicinal and hygienic purposes, as well as for hardening. They can be general or local, with the addition of salts or essential oils to enhance the irritant effect on the skin. Wraps can be full or partial, wet or dry. Local wet wraps are widely used. Cold compresses cause spasm of superficial blood vessels, hot compresses increase local blood flow and metabolism, and reduce muscle tone. Spa centers also use applications with therapeutic mud, clay or herbal decoctions. Active hydrotherapeutic procedures include cold rubbing and dousing with water of varying temperatures.

Modern spa hotels have up to six or more different baths, reflecting the centuries-old traditions of different countries. Some of the oldest are Greek and Roman baths with rooms for dry and wet baths, rest and undressing, washing and a swimming pool. In Turkish baths, the floor is warmed by hot air, and hot water spilled on the floor creates abundant steam. Finnish saunas and Roman Irish baths are very popular. These are air baths with a moderate temperature of 50-60 °C. Hot air passes under the floor and along the walls of the preparation room and steam room, and then enters through holes in the floor. A special pipe for the exhaust air exit makes the atmosphere in such a steam room healthier than in a Roman bath. The healing and healing effect of the traditional Russian bath using various aromatic brooms is known. There is a growing interest in traditional Japanese baths: dry baths using hot sawdust and water baths, which are located in a large wooden barrel.

Among the most common procedures included in the “menu” of spa centers, one can note mud therapy (peloid therapy), used for therapeutic, prophylactic and rehabilitation purposes, clay therapy, phototherapy (light treatment), in particular heliotherapy (solar irradiation), massage (traditional, manual, Thai, Ayurvedic, etc.), aromatherapy, etc. Various cosmetic, tonic, relaxing, anti-cellulite, detoxification, anti-stress, rejuvenating and other wellness programs are offered in such quantity that they can only be limited by the time of stay at the hotel.

7.5. World famous health resorts

Europe. The main areas of health tourism in the Old World are located in Europe. By the 19th century The German health resort school was formed, the adherents of which, in addition to Germany, Austria and Switzerland, were the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Russia followed in their footsteps. It is in these countries that spa treatment is at its best. high level. Therefore, we can talk about the rich traditions of resort business in these countries, which have a wide range of healing natural climatic resources, developed infrastructure, modern effective methods for the prevention and treatment of diseases, as well as rehabilitation. Currently, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Germany control a large share of European health tourism.

Czech tops the list of European countries leading in the number of tourist arrivals for resort and sanatorium treatment. According to the Czech National Tourism Authority, about 50 thousand people from more than 70 countries visit it annually for treatment and about 2 million tourists. The largest and most famous Czech health resort is Karlovy Vary (in the 19th century - Carlsbad). It is located in the west of the country. It is known that spa treatment here began already in the 15th century. There are 12 springs in Karlovy Vary. The most powerful is Vrzhidlo. It is a geyser that throws out about 2 thousand l/min of hot water (72.6 °C) to a height of 14 m. At this resort, tourists not only receive treatment, but also get acquainted with the rich history and culture of the city. Gogol, Turgenev, Goncharov, Sigmund Freud, Karl Marx, Peter I, Beethoven, Bismarck, Schiller, Goethe and others visited here.

Karlovy Vary today welcomes visitors from all five continents. But the resort is especially loved by Russians and German tourists. Diseases of the digestive tract and metabolism are mainly treated in Karlovy Vary.

Not far from Karlovy Vary are the famous resorts Frantiskovy Lazne and Marianske Lazne.

The resort of Frantiskovy Lazne (formerly Franzensbad) is located in the western part of the Czech Republic. It is one of the oldest (founded in 1792) and largest resorts in the country and is of global importance. Diseases of the circulatory system, heart defects and diseases of the musculoskeletal system are treated at this resort.

The resort of Marianske Lazne (formerly Marienbad) is also part of the so-called West Bohemian Triangle and is world famous. There are about 140 mineral water springs at the resort and in the immediate vicinity, of which 39 are used for medicinal purposes. Diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract, metabolism, and some diseases of the nervous system are treated here.

In the north-west of the Czech Republic, in the region of the Ore Mountains, the balneological resort of Teplice is located - one of the oldest in Europe.

20 km north of Karlovy Vary at an altitude of 650 m above sea level is the resort of Jáchymov. It can be considered one of the largest resorts of world importance. Thermal radioactive springs, whose water temperature reaches 28 °C, have healing properties. Such sources are very rare in the world. By the way, Jáchymov is the world’s first radon sanatorium resort. Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and some diseases of the nervous system are treated here.

Luhačevice is the largest resort in Eastern Bohemia. For treatment, not only water is used, but also special mud. The main groups of diseases that are treated here are respiratory diseases, diseases of the digestive tract and metabolism.

Janske Lazne is one of the most popular balneological resorts in the Czech Republic. Located in the northeast, in the Sudetenland region, in the region of the Krkonose mountain range. It is also known for the fact that it opened the first sanatorium in Europe specializing in the treatment of infantile paralysis.

Poděbrady should be considered one of the largest resorts of world importance. The resort is located among picturesque parks in the flat part of the Czech Republic. It has 13 sources. It treats heart defects and other heart diseases.

In addition to those listed, famous resorts in the Czech Republic are Kynžvart, Jesenik, Dolní Lipova, Karlova Studanka. All Czech resorts, in addition to therapeutic and health programs, offer cultural, entertainment and sports programs.

Slovakia. This country is also one of the followers of the German school of balneology. It had a more difficult time than the Czech Republic in gaining world fame as a resort region. Before the division, these countries jointly promoted their tourism product to world markets. By reviving the resort business, Slovakia is gradually changing its image as a ski tourism country. It is rich in resort areas that are world famous. Such resorts include Piestany, a balneological resort in Southwestern Slovakia. It has healing thermal springs that help cure rheumatic and nervous diseases, and it is also a balneotherapy center for children over three years of age.

One of the oldest and most visited balneological resorts, Trencianske Teplice, with several thermal sulfur springs, which is also located in Southwestern Slovakia, is world famous. Many years ago it received the poetic name "Carpathian Pearl". Diseases of the musculoskeletal system are mainly treated here.

Novi Smokovec, Gornji Smokovec and Strbske Pleso, specializing in the treatment of bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis and allergic rhinitis, are located in the High Tatras and have a healthy alpine climate. Novi Smokovec is among the best climatic and balneological resorts in Europe. Gornji Smokovec and Strbske Pleso have facilities for receiving children. These resorts are also known as winter and summer holiday centers in the High Tatras, being year-round resorts.

In the north-eastern part of Slovakia there is a balneological resort called Braidejov, which specializes in the treatment of stomach diseases. It is called "an oasis of peace and quiet."

In addition to these resorts, such Slovak resorts as Dubnice, Sliac, Turcianske Teplice, Bojnice, Brus no, Lucky and many others are known and visited. It should be noted that the Smrdaky resort is a world-famous resort for the treatment of dermatological diseases in children and adults.

Recently, Hungary has been a strong competitor of the Czech Republic in the European health tourism market. It is called the country of thermal baths. About 0.5 million m 3 of thermal waters per day are provided by natural springs and wells, although not all of them are used in medicine. Hungary became the European center of hydrotherapeutic bathing in the 19th century. Today, 22 cities and 62 villages have officially recognized healing springs. These resorts are especially popular for recreation and treatment among tourists from Germany, the USA and Austria. These countries account for over half of all arrivals. Tourist flows mainly flow in two directions: to Budapest and to Lake Balaton. In the city, 70 million liters of hot medicinal water are received daily from 123 springs. Lake Balaton is one of the largest and warmest lakes in Europe. More than 100 thousand tourists visit it annually. The most famous resorts with carbon dioxide springs are Balatonföldvär and Balatonfüred, located on the lake. In addition, the balneological resort of Heviz, located on the shore of the largest hot lake in Hungary, is famous and popular. The water temperature in the lake is +32 °C all year round.

In addition to the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia, health tourism is increasingly developing in Bulgaria, Romania and the republics of the former Yugoslavia. These countries have access to warm seas and offer health programs at resorts of a seaside climatic type. In addition, the only naphthalan deposit in Europe was discovered in Croatia - a type of medicinal oil with a characteristic aromatic odor used in medicine. The Ivanich Grad resort, created on its basis, accepts patients with diseases of the skin and musculoskeletal system.

Slovenia is also widely known in the world for its health resorts.

The balneological resort of Topolšica has thermal springs and is located in the pre-Alpine idyllic Valley of the Moon, surrounded by the peaks of the Alps, at an altitude of 395 m above sea level. These healing springs were known back in the 16th century. Diseases of the musculoskeletal system, mild forms of vascular diseases and respiratory diseases are treated here.

Čatež is a balneological resort on the border with Croatia. This resort was opened at the end of the 18th century. The resort treats cardiovascular diseases, damage to the musculoskeletal system and neurological diseases.

The Rogaska Slatina resort is famous for its Donat MG mineral water, which is unique in Europe in terms of magnesium content and bacteriological purity. Gastroenterological diseases, digestive disorders, and excess weight are treated here.

Bled is a mountain climatic resort located at the foot of the Julian Alps in a basin on the shore of a lake, the water in which warms up to +26 °C in summer. It also has its own thermal spring.

Until now, the most important principles of organizing the resort business in countries with the German school of spa medicine (except Germany, Austria and Switzerland), which were described above, laid down in the 19th century, have not undergone significant changes. People staying at resorts are usually not prescribed a strict daily routine; they choose the time for treatment procedures themselves and are not required to strictly follow treatment advice.

Another group of resorts, which includes Spain, Italy, France, and Belgium, relates more to health tourism. Although it is in Belgium that the famous Spa resort is located, which gives the common name to all resorts with thermal waters.

Germany. There are more than 300 resorts in Germany. There are about 50 of them in Bavaria alone. The state of Baden-Württemberg, with its capital in Stuttgart, has more than 60 resorts with mineral springs and microclimate. The most famous resort is Baden Baden, located in the Black Forest (Black Forest). Here, about 2000 years ago, the Romans discovered hot thermal springs. There are 20 of them in Baden Baden. Gogol, Tolstoy, Turgenev, Naryshkin, Goncharov, Dostoevsky, Schiller and many other famous people visited this resort.

There are 32 resorts in Hesse; Wiesbaden is world famous, its wealth lies in 26 thermal healing springs with a temperature of +68 °C. This resort is called the Nice of the north - on one side the Rhine, on the other - the Taunus Mountains. It is a green oasis with a Mediterranean climate and an average annual temperature of +9 °C. Goethe, Dostoevsky, Wagner, Brahms, Bismarck and others rested on it.

There are many climatic resorts in Germany, among which mountain and forest resorts predominate: Quedlinburg, Oberhof, Fussen, as well as seaside resorts located near the North Sea or in the German Baltic: Wangerooge, Dahme, Travemünde and others.

Every year, German resorts welcome over 1 million people. Preventive and rehabilitation programs offered by German climatic and balneological resorts are in demand among residents of Austria, 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 was created on the basis of 17 hot radon springs with a temperature of +44.3 °C, began to develop rapidly in 1828 and by the middle of the last century acquired global significance. The resort has hosted many famous people and crowned heads of Europe. Nowadays, the flow of tourists to this resort has increased significantly. Tourists come to the resort to relax and receive treatment. In the radon healing adits of Mount Radhausberg you can improve your condition with diseases of the nervous, cardiovascular and bronchopulmonary systems, musculoskeletal system and hormonal disorders. According to statistics, 70% of patients experience improvements after visiting the resort. Despite the rather high prices, the resort fills well.

In the same area there is another balneological resort with thermal radon springs - Bad Hofgastein. It is also known as mountain sports.

Bad Hall is a balneological resort, a charming town between Vienna and Salzburg, where chronic inflammatory and degenerative rheumatic diseases are treated, women's diseases. Treatment is based on the use of brine iodide from natural sources.

It is impossible not to mention Villach, the famous balneological resort where the famous Middle Ages physician Paracelsus lived and worked. Here the temperature in the indoor thermal pools is +32 °C.

The city of Baden on the eastern edge of the Vienna Woods is also a world-famous spa thanks to its 14 hot springs.

In addition to trips to balneological and climatic resorts, Austria encourages the development of lakeside health tourism. Every year the lakes Wörthersee, Mondsee, Ossia Hersee, Toplitzsee, and Kammersee are visited by about 1 million tourists. In general, about 20% of all tourist arrivals to Austria are for medicinal purposes.

Switzerland It is somewhat inferior to Germany and Austria in terms of the number of resorts, but as a destination for health tourism it is no less popular. True, resort services in this country are available only to wealthy clients. The balneological health resorts of Baden, Bad Ragai and the mountain climatic resorts of Arosa, Davos, St. Moritz, and Zermatt enjoy well-deserved fame. Switzerland was one of the first to practice herbal treatment. The large phytotherapeutic center Crans Montana is located here.

France. This country has many world famous resorts. Engen is a thermal resort, not far from Paris, which was opened back in 1779. In 1823, King Louis XVIII was treated here. The resort is famous for its mineral springs with a high sulfur content. Respiratory diseases are treated here. Vichy is the central region of the country, has 15 springs, 6 of them with drinking mineral waters. Evian is a resort on the shores of Lake Leman (Lake Geneva) with mineral springs. Miramar is a resort in Brittany, famous for thalassotherapy. Lourdes has miraculous mineral springs that attract pilgrims from all over the world. Many balneological resorts are located in the French Alps and on the shores of Lake Geneva.

Southern Europe The market for health and wellness tourism is represented mainly by Italy. Its balneological resorts are mainly concentrated in the northeast of the country and on the island of Ischia, rich not only in thermal waters, but also in healing mud. The most famous are: Cervia, Punta Marina Terme, Riccione and Rimini, located on the Adriatic coast. The resorts near Venice, especially Abano Terme, are very famous. 35 km from Verona, in the town of Sirmione, sulfur springs gush from the bottom of the lake. 35 km from Parma is the Salsomaggiore resort with salt-bromine-iodide waters. There are also many resorts and sanatoriums in Tuscany, for example, the resort of Montecatini Terme was founded back in 1345 and is now very popular. There are about 70 thermal springs on the island of Ischia.

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

America. On the American continent, the United States is the undisputed leader in the health tourism market. The achievements of this country in the field of health are generally recognized. But health care in the USA it is very expensive, so foreign tourists mainly travel to the USA for the purpose of treatment in clinics, and not to resorts. Most North American resorts are balneological resorts, which are found in many states. They are visited mainly by Americans themselves. Among the coastal climatic resorts, we can note Long Beach in the suburbs of New York, Hatteras on the Atlantic coast in North Carolina and Miami Beach in Florida. There are also lakeside resorts, but Americans prefer to relax and receive treatment in the resorts of Central America, Barbados, Cuba and the Bahamas.

Near East. In the Middle East, streams of tourists for medical and health purposes head to the Israeli Dead Sea, which is located near the biblical city of Sodom. Saturated with salts and minerals, its waters are unsuitable for even the simplest organisms. The uniqueness of this place lies in the combination of healing mud, sea salts and special biometeorological conditions. Thermal mineral springs near the Dead Sea, along with freshwater springs and mountain streams, form the aquatic environment of the sea. There are several resorts on the coast: Ein Bukek, Ein Bokek, Nev Zohar, Ein Gedi, where psoriasis, eczema, polyarthritis, and osteochondrosis are successfully treated. In addition to the Dead Sea, Israel's healing resorts are also located in the mountains, for example, the city of Arad, 25 km from the Dead Sea at an altitude of 1000 m, where the mild climate, mountain air and sea evaporation help in the treatment of asthma. Many foreigners also visit Israel for treatment at world-renowned cardiology, oncology and andrology clinics, located mainly in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The level of medicine here is no worse than in Germany and the USA. However, treatment is much cheaper.

Asia, Oceania and Africa. In the countries of South, 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 yet so popular among foreign tourists. Travel to Nepal, Thailand and China are in relative demand.

Australia has all the natural resources necessary for health tourism. Large balneological resorts - Deilsford, Morck, Springwood - are concentrated in the southeast of the mainland. The seaside climatic resorts of Australia are also known throughout 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 an increase in incoming tourist flows. Therefore, Australian resorts, like American ones, are focused mainly on receiving domestic tourists.

In Africa, health tourism has recently begun to gain momentum. The popularity of Tunisian resorts is growing. In 1996, a large thalassotherapy center was opened on the shores of the Gulf of Hammamet. Today it is the fourth largest in the entire world. Famous seaside climatic resorts are located on the northern coast of Africa. In Egypt, it is the popular tourist center of Hurghada and the international class resort of Sharm el Sheikh, washed by the waters of the Red Sea. The resorts of Agadir, Tangier, Mohammedia and others operate in Morocco. In Kenya, seaside resorts are located on the Indian Ocean coast: Mombasa, Kipini, Malindi, Shimoni. There are several resorts in South Africa.

7.6. The main methods of treatment and recovery used in modern European resorts (using the example of Italy)

Acupuncture- an ancient therapy in which, with the help of the thinnest needles, injected into a precisely adjusted place on the skin, the self-healing ability inherent in the body is stimulated.

Aromatherapy- manual body massage using essential oil essences, which gradually enhances and stimulates the sense of smell, causing pleasant sensations and relaxation.

Baths in sulfur water- bathing in thermal sulfur water under the periodic influence of hydromassage jets is recommended for cleansing and softening the skin. It also has a healing effect on those suffering from rheumatic pain.

Turkish bath- hot steam bath in a hot and humid room (temperature from +40 to +50 °C). It is usually well tolerated due to moderate heat and helps eliminate toxins.

Balneotherapy (spa treatment on the waters)- based on the influence of water to produce the effect of bodily relaxation and energy. Swimming in the waters of thermal springs has a beneficial effect on the muscular system and the musculoskeletal system as a whole.

Bandages (wrapping/wrapping)- a type of aesthetic body care in which cotton bandages are applied, soaked in a mixture of essential oils that perform the functions of drainage and removal of toxins, due to which excess fluid is removed and a pleasant feeling of lightness and cheerfulness is created.

Drinking cure- internal use of thermal spring water, the quantity and order of use of which is determined by the doctor; Thanks to this, a diuretic effect is achieved and digestive processes are improved.

Scottish shower- shower under strong jets with alternating hot and cold water in order to stimulate blood circulation, prevent stagnation of liquids that are harmful to health, and improve the figure.

Vichy shower- accepted lying on special sunbeds; water from thermal springs is supplied from above in several jets. It has a very strong relaxing effect and is often combined with aesthetic care procedures and massage.

Jet from a hose- increases skin tone, “softens” tense muscles, stimulates the circulatory system. The procedure is carried out by a hydrotherapist who directs a strong stream of water from a hose from a certain distance over parts of the patient’s body.

Mud therapy- therapeutic effects by applying therapeutic mud in the form of compresses, which include water from thermal springs or algae and clay. Very effective method to improve blood circulation, tone tissues and strengthen them.

Phytotherapy- use of plant growth energy to treat a number of pathologies. Methods of administration: internal use of infusions, inhalations, massage, compresses.

Gommage- body massage using a cream made from skin-cleansing microgranules; used to cleanse and moisturize the skin.

Thermal caves- steam bath for thermal springs, at different temperatures that do not reach high limits, in rooms with very high humidity due to evaporation of thermal waters; causes profuse sweating and removal of toxins and waste.

Colon lavage- deep rinsing of the colon or colon with filtered water; recommended for improving digestion, liver diseases, and stress. Thanks to this procedure, the skin color improves - it becomes light and shiny.

Hydromassage- massage is carried out in a bath, under streams of hot water saturated with air, in order to relax muscles and improve blood circulation.

Kinesitherapy- rehabilitation procedures; the use of a number of technical techniques in order to completely restore any muscle and joint groups, as well as performing a special set of exercises and movements, taking active and passive poses.

Lymphatic drainage- massage performed with slow rhythmic movements; promotes lymph drainage and removal of excess fluid and toxins.

Ayurvedic massage- from ancient Indian medicine - a method of healing, massage with aromatic oils, stimulating the removal of toxins and cleansing the body. It is especially indicated for relieving pain in strained muscles, promoting their relaxation.

Dhara massage- one of the technical techniques of Ayurvedic massage practice, it consists of slowly and constantly rubbing sesame oil into the central part of the forehead for about 40 minutes, which achieves a feeling of bliss and peace. It is especially useful for those suffering from headaches, insomnia, and inflammatory processes.

Drainage massage- performed throughout the body, improves blood circulation, promotes the removal of excess fluids from the body, improves venous and lymphatic circulation.

Complex massage- manual massage technique to restore physical, mental and spiritual potential. It is also called a massage for all occasions: drainage, anti-stress, restorative, general.

Four hands massage- full body massage - performed by two massage therapists at the same time: excellent massage in thermal baths to tone, provide drainage, improve the figure and especially for the treatment of stressful conditions.

Shiatsu massage- a method of physical manipulation developed in Japan. It consists of manual pressure on certain points and areas without the use of any mechanical tools. Indicated for the treatment of internal diseases and maintaining health.

Tao massage- thousand-year experience of treatment based on recreating the balance of the principles of yin and yang, i.e. between active forces; Thanks to gentle stroking and movements, these two opposite principles find harmony.

Wai Thai massage- a combination of traditional Thai massage with the effects of oils and massage balls. Gives relaxation to the body, evokes a feeling of grace, improves mood.

Watsu massage- developed in California; is a water version of shiatsu massage. Usually carried out in a pool with heated water from thermal springs. Induces a state of complete detachment from the world and complete peace.

Therapeutic massage (mass therapy)- manual therapeutic practice is an essential addition to a mud therapy session. Indicated for the treatment of rheumatic phenomena, diseases of the peripheral nervous system and circulatory system.

Ozone therapy- a healing technique that involves the use of the healing properties of oxygen and ozone. It varies between local or general use with the circulatory system. Indicated for herniated discs, arthritis, arthrosis, cellulite.

Peeling- removal of the surface layer of skin using appropriate creams and preparations.

Walking in the pool (kneipp)- walking in special baths or pools with sharp alternation of hot and cold water to improve circulation and tone body tissues.

Pyramid therapy- a procedure to restore energy and relieve stress using the healing properties of copper. It is performed under a pyramidal structure made of gilded copper, which generates a healing energy field.

Pressotherapy- a procedure to restore circulation and remove excess fluid from lower limbs using special boots with air chambers that fit the legs.

Reiki- the ancient medical science of healing by laying hands on different points and areas of the body. Useful for everyone. The peculiarity of the method is to impart a balancing energy that creates a feeling of physical and mental superiority in any situation.

Plantar reflexology- a type of massage. By influencing certain areas of the feet, a protective reaction is developed and ailments such as stress, excessive tension, and circulatory disorders are suppressed.

Sauna- bathhouse in a confined space with dry heated air (from +60 to +100 °C); the goal is to remove toxins and wastes through heavy sweating.

Thermal shock- the so-called thermal crisis, or balneological reaction, which can occur during treatment at a resort as a reaction of the body’s adaptation to the treatment conditions. It is important to remember that neither the manifestations nor the intensity of the reaction affect final result treatment.

Thalassotherapy (sea therapy)- complex therapeutic effects of a number of components of the marine climate: sea water, sand, algae, mud - external use of mud, mud baths, seaweed wraps or swimming in sea water in special pools.

Yoga- ancient eastern practice - certain body positions and poses (asanas). Helps improve circulation, calm the nervous system, relax and improve body tone.

7.7. General principles of organizing treatment and recovery at resorts

The result of the high professional level of doctors, the skillful hands of massage therapists and experts in the field of aesthetics - all this is used to help resort guests find a state of harmony and tranquility. As part of any wellness program, you can, for an additional fee, get a consultation with a specialist doctor who will prescribe an individual diet for you to follow at home.

As a rule, resort guests have free access to the main infrastructure of the resort (use of thermal water pools, hydromassage; gym where they can attend group sports classes, etc.). The most important principles of organizing sanatorium-resort treatment are the availability of treatment, focus, one system monitoring your health status and the effectiveness of treatment before, during and after your stay at the resort.

The most important principle of sanatorium-resort treatment is its complexity, that is, the use of a variety of natural healing factors in combination with diet therapy, physiotherapy, exercise therapy, drug therapy and other methods. The main natural healing factor is climate. Along with the climate, mineral waters and medicinal mud are also used. The most important task of the ongoing course of treatment and recovery is the normalization of the functions of the central nervous system, which helps to streamline the activity of the cardiovascular system, respiratory systems, metabolic processes. Mandatory elements of treatment and recovery at resorts are therapeutic exercises, health paths, sports games, exercise therapy.

For the effectiveness of spa treatment, general resort, sanatorium and individual regimes are of particular importance. The general resort regime applies to the entire territory of the resort and is regulated by the rules of procedure at this resort. It includes the regulated work of resort-wide diagnostic, medical and resort amenities, as well as noise control. The sanatorium regime is the routine and rhythm of life in the sanatorium, which determines a certain periodicity of influence on the patient. In the sanatorium mode, it is provided as general rules for all patients, as well as individual instructions and recommendations of the attending physician regarding the patient’s daily routine and the implementation of treatment prescriptions. An individual regimen is compiled individually for each patient and is determined after the first conversation with the doctor. It depends on the nature of the disease and the patient’s condition and can be training, when an increased impact of procedures is used, or gentle - with a limitation in the amount and intensity of the applied therapeutic effect.

Your stay at the sanatorium can be divided into three stages:

The initial period (adaptation), in which a gentle regimen is applied and is not yet prescribed in full healing procedures; this period coincides with the additional examination of the patient and usually does not exceed 2-3 days.
- the main treatment period, during which the treatment complex is fully implemented (on average 20 days);
- the final period (2-3 days), when a gentle regimen is reintroduced and patients rest after completing the treatment cycle.

7.8. Examples of wellness programs offered at resorts

"Modern thermal program" (8 days)

Provides for a medical examination, doctor supervision during the entire period, 6 sessions of mud therapy and thermal ozone baths, 4 therapeutic massages (reflexology, therapeutic, sports, hydromassage), 2 massages - relaxing and pain-relieving (shiatsu, reiki, Ayurvedic, stone therapy with hot stones), 4 procedures for beauty and health.

"Power control" (8 days)

A medical examination is provided, doctor supervision during the entire period of procedures, 6 mud therapy sessions, 6 showers and baths with thermal ozonated and aromatized water, 2 slimming massages with local anti-cellulite effects, 1 lymphatic drainage massage for figure modeling, 2 lymphatic drainage for the whole body, 2 pressotherapy, 1 cosmetologist procedure according to an individual body program and a visit to a nutritionist, menu according to an individual program, thermal card.

"Thermal mud" (3 days)

A medical examination, doctor supervision during the entire period of procedures, 3 thermal mud applications, showers and baths with thermal ozonized water, therapeutic massage, thermal card are provided.

Review questions for Chapter 7

1. Give a description of health tourism.
2. Name the main factors influencing the organization of resorts.
3. What are the features of the science of balneology?
4. What is the geography of health and wellness tours?
5. What types of resorts do you know? Give them a brief description.
6. What are the requirements for resorts?
7. What are the specifics of organizing health and wellness tours?
8. Describe the main balneological resorts of European countries.
9. Name the main regions of balneological tourism.
10. Name the main health-improving centers using non-traditional methods.
11. Give examples of the most popular health and wellness programs for tourists.

References for Chapter 7

1. Alexandrova A.Yu. Economics and territorial organization of international tourism. - M., 1996.
2. Alexandrova A.Yu. International tourism. - M., 2001.
3. Birzhakov M.B. Introduction to tourism. - St. Petersburg, 2001.
4. Volkov Yu.F. Introduction to hotel and tourism business. - Rostov n/d: Phoenix, 2003.
5.
6. Kuskov A.S., Makartseva L.V. Fundamentals of balneology: Textbook. allowance. - Saratov, 2002.
7. Nikolaenko D.V. Recreational geography. - M., 2001.
8. Senin V.S. Organization of international tourism: Textbook. - M.: Finance and Statistics, 2003.
9. Sokolova M.V. History of tourism. - M.: Academy, 2004.
10. Economics and organization of tourism: international tourism / Ed. I.A. Ryabova, Yu.V. Zabaeva, E.L. Drachevoy. - M.: KNORUS, 2005.

Health tourism

Health tourism- the most widespread and popular direction 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. 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.

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.

Medical and health tourism remains one of the most promising areas in the tourism industry. The basis of its popularity in the 21st century is the victory of the preventive trend in modern medicine, as well as the fashion for a healthy body and a healthy mind.

Links

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

• Ozdov
• Lakes of France

See what “Health tourism” is in other dictionaries:

Tourism - get an active Planet Sports coupon on Academician or buy tourism at a low price on sale at Planet Sports

Medical and health tourism- stay individuals outside their permanent place of residence for a period not exceeding 12 months in a row, for the purpose of receiving medical and spa services, as well as professional activities of legal entities and individuals... ... Wikipedia

health tourism- Tourism for the purpose of recreation and treatment... Dictionary of Geography

Tourism in Russia- Tourism in Russia is a developing industry. Russia occupies one of the leading places in the world in the field of international tourism. In 2011, Russia received about 20 million international visitors. Russia's income from international tourism in 2011... ... Wikipedia

Tourism in Israel- one of the important components of the country's budget. The tourism industry serves both Israelis and foreign visitors. An abundance of archaeological and architectural monuments, beach areas of three seas, health resorts and a warm climate... ... Wikipedia

Tourism in Belarus- Tourism in Belarus is developing in three main directions: visiting numerous attractions, organizing recreation in resort areas (Naroch, Minsk Sea, etc.), as well as agrotourism. The authorities of the republic have set a task for everyone... ... Wikipedia

Tourism in Charente-Maritime- one of the most important components of the department’s economy. Being the second most popular tourist destination in mainland France, after the Var department and before the Hérault department, Charente-Maritime welcomes over 3 million every year... ... Wikipedia

Tourism in Cuba- Typical Cuban beach landscape Tourism in Cuba attracts more than 2 million people annually, and is one of the main sources of income for the island nation. Among the factors influencing the popularity of Cuba... Wikipedia

Tourism- This term has other meanings, see Tourism (meanings). The request "Tourist" is redirected here; see also other meanings... Wikipedia

Tourism in Germany- Tourists near the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin... Wikipedia

Tourism in Ukraine- Coast of Alupka in Crimea. St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery in Kyiv. Livadia Palace in Yalta ... Wikipedia

Books

• History of physical culture and sports. Textbook, Melnikova Natalia Yurievna, Treskin Alexey Valerievich. The textbook is written in accordance with the Federal State Educational Standard of Higher Education in the areas of training 49.03.01 - “Physical Education”, 49.03.02 - “Physical Education for Persons with Disabilities…

Medical tourism in our time has become one of the most popular types of recreation among tourists. Previously, people more often went on vacation solely to visit the sea, as well as sunny resorts, see various attractions and historical places, but now many have begun to pay more attention to their own health. That is why now tourists often purchase vouchers to hospitals and sanatoriums, going there as part of health tours.

Medical and health tourism

Medical and health tourism is now developed at a very high level in many different countries. In many cities there are unique centers that help overcome various diseases, as well as provide high-quality diagnostics. Medical tours to India are very popular, which, in addition to professional specialists, enjoys a healthy climate (it is especially favorable for people who have respiratory diseases). Also, tourists quite often go to Thailand and Israel to improve their health.

Development of health tourism

The method of spa treatment for the purpose of healing with the help of natural resources has been known since ancient times. Then, at the places where mineral waters came to the surface of the earth, people built simple buildings, which were the prototypes of today's balneological centers. In addition, rumors that these sources have healing properties, spread among the people very quickly, which led to sick people flocking to these places from everywhere.

Balneology first appeared around the 5th century BC. At this time, Herodotus developed methods of use, as well as indications for the use of healing mineral liquids. Aristotle also wrote on this topic. Plutarch noted the presence of medicinal thermal springs on the island of Euboea, to which sick people flocked even from the most remote regions. At the same time, the construction of the first buildings began to accommodate travelers who arrived for health treatments.

After the Bronze Age, material evidence has been preserved that during this period of time, medical procedures were carried out using mineral springs. Archaeologists have found the remains of buildings erected near carbon dioxide springs in an area that is now located in the resort center of Santa Morsch, located in Switzerland. The ruins of many ancient water hospitals were also discovered in excavations in Greece.

The Romans built health and treatment facilities in the areas where mineral springs were located in the territories that they conquered. The remains of ruins of similar buildings dating back to Roman times have survived to this day. For example, the remains of hospitals located on the site of the current resorts of Sinjores Bay, as well as Beile Herculane in Romania (Budapest), are well preserved. In addition to them, the ruins of former Roman health centers are located in the Yugoslav resort centers in Dobrna and Varaždi Toplice, on the shore of lake. Balaton in Hungary, in German Wiesbaden and Swiss Baden, British Bath and French Aix-les-Bains, as well as Timgod in Algeria and Hisar in Bulgaria.

The most famous medieval treatment centers were Aachen and Plombières-Bains. In addition to them, mineral springs located in Kotres and Spa were also of considerable popularity, and from the 13th century. the sick again reached out to the springs of Abano Terme, which were known in earlier times. Around the middle of the 14th century. The treatment center in Baden-Baden became popular, and Carlsbad also appeared (now this health center is called Karlovy Vary).

Throughout the 16th-18th centuries, work was carried out to create full-fledged health centers - balneological resorts, as well as mud baths. Since the 16th century, in Carlsbad they began to charge patients a fee, and a clear schedule for conducting therapeutic therapy sessions appeared. In France from the beginning of the 17th century. A resort inspectorate appeared to monitor the condition of existing treatment centers, as well as the operating procedures of such resorts.

The development of medical and health tourism in European countries reached its greatest intensity in the 17th-19th centuries. During this period of time, the first sanatorium was opened exclusively for children - at the seaside resort in Margate (Great Britain). Further, similar children's hospitals began to be built in France, as well as Italy.

By the end of the 19th – beginning of the 20th centuries, most of the European health centers that are popular today appeared, which, in addition to treatment, now include tourist and entertainment programs.

Types of medical tourism

Each of the health centers has a separate specialization, depending on certain factors. These include the types of therapy and rehabilitation used in different centers, as well as what natural healing resources the resort has. Health tourism can be carried out through various methods, the types of which are described below:

• A type of balneo-mud healing in which mineral waters and therapeutic mud are used;
• Balneoclimatic healing, in which, in addition to mineral springs, the healing properties of the climate are used;
• Balneological healing, which uses mineral waters, consumed not only internally, but also externally;
• Mud healing, in which therapeutic mud is used as therapy;
• Climatokumys is a healing treatment that uses the advantages of forest-steppe/steppe climatic conditions, as well as the medicinal properties of a fermented milk drink called kumys;
• Climatic healing, in which climate is used for treatment.

Health tourism trips, like other types of tourist holidays, are organized by travel companies. At the same time, various types of medical tourism are often combined by vacationers.

Sports and health packages with recreation are also considered medical tourism. Health-recreational tourism is a vacation that helps restore the physical and emotional state of the body. This type of holiday is considered the most common in many countries.

Medical tourism in Crimea

Crimea has excellent climatic and natural conditions that are conducive to the creation of sanatorium-resort type facilities. Crimean health resorts can be divided into 2 types, in accordance with the profile of the hospitals and the natural resources of the area:

• Southern Crimean coast;
• Primorsky steppe zone.

The southern Crimean coast is the part of the coast that is located at the foot of the Crimean Mountains (starting from the Kandahar Mountains in the northeast and ending with Cape Aya in the southwestern part). The main centers of tourist and resort recreation in this area are cities such as Yalta, Sudak, Alushta, and Alupka; In addition to them, the villages of Foros, Simeiz, Gurzuf, Koreiz and Partenit, as well as Gaspra, stand out.

The southern coast combines optimal air humidity and favorable temperatures. And in Yalta it is usually very sunny (about 276 days per year), thanks to which there is always enough ultraviolet radiation.

Plants growing in mountain forests and parks emit substances that have a positive effect on the human body. The sea saturates the air with salts and ionizes it - thus, thanks to the combined influence of the sea and plants, the coast becomes a huge natural inhalation chamber.

Medical tourism in Russia

The center of Russian health tourism (here are sanatoriums with healing mud, as well as mineral springs) are considered to be the Krasnodar Territory, as well as the Caucasus. There are medical sanatorium centers in other Russian regions:

• Anapa is a mud-climatic resort health resort located in the Krasnodar Territory. The main healing power of this region is considered to be the mild Mediterranean climate;
• Arshan is a popular balneological health center located in Buryatia;
• Belokurikha is a famous Altai balneological center;
• Vladivostok mud baths, as well as climatic resort centers located in the Amur Bay;
• Climatic hospitals in Kabardinka and Gelendzhik, located on the Black Sea coastline;
• Darasun is a popular balneological center located in the Chita region;
• Yeisk climate-balneo-mud health center, which is located in the Krasnodar region. – on the Azov coast;
• Caucasian balneology centers with mineral springs, located in the Stavropol region (Zheleznogorsk and Essentuki, in addition to Pyatigorsk, as well as Kislovodsk);
• Resort hospitals in the Kaliningrad region - mud and climatic centers in Otradnoye, Zelenogorsk and Svetlogorsk;
• Kuldur is a famous balneological hospital in the Khabarovsk Territory, where springs of hot mineral waters are used for therapy;
• Nalchik (Kabardino-Balkaria) – climate-balneo-mud health center;
• Kamchatka Nachika, where a balneological health resort is located, offering hot water services, as well as herbal medicine, and Kamchatka Paratunka, where a balneo-mud center is located;
• Climatic health resorts in Greater Sochi, located along the entire length of the Black Sea coast (145 km) - Dagomys, as well as Adler and Krasnaya Polyana along with Khosta;
• Teberda from the Stavropol region is a mountain climatic center in the Caucasus;
• Tuapse region (coastal line of the Black Sea, as well as the Krasnodar region) - thalassotherapy sessions, as well as a climatic clinic;
• Shmakovka (Primorsky district) - a center of balneology;
• Elton, located in the Volgograd region. - mud bath.

Medical tourism in Essentuki

In Essentuki there is a famous balneological resort center, located in the area of ​​​​the so-called Caucasian Mineral Springs (southern part of the Stavropol Territory). The hospital is located in the river valley. Podkumok at an altitude of 640 meters.

This hospital specializes in the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as metabolic disorders. People with diabetes are often treated here.

For those who wish to improve their health while on vacation, this resort offers various programs that are based on medicinal properties hydrochloric-carbon dioxide-alkaline waters, as well as sulfide mud from silt in Lake Tambukan.

Now there are more than 10 mineral springs active in this area. Some of them can be used in the process of creating packaged mineral waters for sale, while others have a healing effect only if used immediately on the spot.

A speedy recovery is also facilitated by the healing properties of the local climate - here tourists receive clean air, as well as dry, warm summers against the backdrop of fragrant, lushly blooming greenery. The city has 2 resort park areas: Victory Park and the Main Park. The second one appeared here back in 1848 - it houses the Lower and Upper baths, the main drinking gallery of mineral spring No. 4, and in addition a pavilion with exercise therapy, an inhalation room and a department in which mechanotherapy is carried out, as well as an aerosolarium.

Medical and health tourism in Belarus

The main specializations of health clinics in Belarus are considered to be the following: diseases of the respiratory organs, and at the same time the musculoskeletal organs and musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and nervous systems. In addition, work disorders are treated here endocrine system and gastrointestinal tract, gynecological and circulatory disorders, skin diseases, problems with vision and metabolism.

Belarus has a large number of sanatoriums popular among tourists. Among them are the following places:

• “Ozerny”, which is located on White Lake in a pine forest. This center is distinguished by the presence of a water park, and in addition delights tourists with its calm and picturesque nature;
• “Borovoye”, in which vacationers are offered a whole range of various services that allow them to relax and improve their health;
• “Pridneprovsky”, which is the largest sanatorium center in Belarus, with a very powerful medical base;
• One of the oldest centers is the Krinitsa sanatorium, which specializes in eliminating cardiovascular problems. Located near Minsk;
• The Yunost complex houses one of the most modern Belarusian hydropathic hospitals;
• Sanatorium center "Ruzhansky" is great for parents with children;
• “Bug”, which is one of the largest year-round hospitals in Belarus.

Naroch, which is considered the most popular Belarusian resort, is where not only Belarusians, but also guests of the country relax. The center is located on the shore of the lake of the same name. There are 11 health complexes on its territory, the most popular of which are “Sosny”, “Priozerny” and “Belaya Rus”.

Medical tourism in Europe

Medical tourism is most popular in Europe. Local sanatoriums and health centers have long established themselves as the best in the world. They employ experienced professionals, and the centers themselves have the latest equipment. In addition, these sanatoriums have excellent ecology. All this together is the reason for such a high demand for health vouchers.

The most popular centers of European medical tourism are sanatoriums located in the foothills of the Alps (French Vichy, as well as Austria, northern Italy and Germany), the western region of the Czech Republic (Karlovy Vary resort), Hungary, and also on the Israeli Dead Sea.

Medical tourism in the Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is considered a state of healing mineral springs; it is here that one of the most famous resorts in the world is located - Karlovy Vary. Here, patients are successfully cured of metabolic problems, gynecological diseases, diseases of the digestive system and the musculoskeletal system. Peat and healing mud are also used for treatment.

But in addition to this resort, there are other health centers in the Czech Republic - there are also treatment packages in Trebon, Marianske Lazne and Teplice.

Medical and health tourism in Spain

Medical and health tourism in Spain is mainly concentrated in coastal areas, but there are many centers in the interior of the country. Many spa centers in Spain employ the highest level of specialists and offer a wide variety of treatments.

Among the specializations of Spanish hospitals, thalassotherapy is considered one of the most popular. This is one of the types of alternative medicine that uses the healing properties of sea water, as well as coastal climatic conditions, for treatment. Sea water used in Spanish hospitals is considered one of the factors that helps eliminate various diseases. Thalassotherapy helps reduce pain, speeds up recovery and also improves general state body.

The most popular health centers where thalassotherapy procedures are carried out are institutions located on the Costa Dorada, Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca, Costa Brava, as well as in the Canaries.

Medical and health tourism in Bulgaria

In the Bulgarian town of Sandanski, at an altitude of 240 m above the sea, the Sveti Vrach medical center is located. It is located southwest of Sofia (approximately 170 km) at the foot of the Pirin Mountain. The climatic conditions of this area, combined with the presence of mineral springs, make it the healthiest in all of Bulgaria. This center is considered one of the best hospitals in Europe fighting bronchial asthma. There are hydrocarbonate-sodium-sulfate, hyperthermal, and fluoride mineral springs here. People come to this sanatorium to treat skin inflammation, kidney disease, colitis and gastritis, degenerative inflammatory processes in the joints, as well as respiratory diseases.

Velingrad is located 120 km southeast of Sofia among the Rhodope Mountains, located 800 m above the sea. This center houses 70 hyperthermal mineral springs, although in terms of their chemical composition they are classified as fluoride and sodium-sulfate-bicarbonate. The local health resorts help eliminate arthro-rheumatic and gynecological diseases, as well as diseases of the respiratory system and peripheral nervous system.

The city of Hisarya is located 170 km east of Sofia (distance from Plovdiv - 45 km). It is located 364 m above the sea, next to the Valley of Roses, in the middle of the Sredna Gora and Stara Planina mountain ranges. In this center there are 22 mineral springs (slightly mineralized water, its composition is sulfate-bicarbonate-soda with a high alkaline reaction). Such sources effectively cure kidney and liver diseases, and in addition to this disease digestive system and gallbladder. Climatic conditions, water and air, also have a positive effect on the body, promoting health.

Located 230 km south of Sofia, the village of Ognyanovo (between the Pirin and Rhodope mountains). This place has a wonderful climate with beautiful nature, as well as sources of mineral waters with healing properties. Neurological diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and excretory system, as well as metabolic disorders are effectively treated here.

Health tourism in Indonesia

Medical tourism in Indonesia consists of climatotherapy as well as massage treatments, during which various medicinal herbs are used.

Medical and health tourism in Canada

Health tourism in Canada is a resort holiday in places that are famous for their healing climate, various types of healing procedures, as well as excellent infrastructure and wonderful nature.

Canadian resorts usually treat metabolic problems, diseases of the cardiovascular system and respiratory tract, as well as musculoskeletal disorders. Also in these centers you can undergo rejuvenation procedures, strengthen your immune system and general health, and also perform body contouring.

Development of medical tourism in Kazakhstan

The development of health tourism in Kazakhstan was based on the location of mineral springs, as well as healing mud.

The most popular in the country is the Saryagash balneological center, which is located in the southern part of Kazakhstan. Here are sources of mineral sodium bicarbonate waters that help treat gastrointestinal diseases. The infrastructure of Saryagash health resorts is developed at the highest level. It is most comfortable to relax in this center during May-June.

In the east of Kazakhstan there are several balneological centers. There are springs with thermal radon water (temperature is +34/+42 °C), which successfully cure musculoskeletal disorders, dermatological diseases, and problems with the central nervous system.

The Barlyk-Arasan health center is located near Lake Alakol. There are 12 thermal water springs in this area (some springs reach temperatures of +43°C). In addition to treatment using healing springs, they use methods of oriental medicine, which use antlers (antlers) of deer, deer and wapiti.

The Arasan-Kapal health center is located on the border of two regions - East Kazakhstan and Almaty. Here there are chloride-sodium-sulfate radioactive sources of low concentration. They help eliminate gynecological diseases and disorders of the cardiovascular system, as well as problems with metabolism.

Kazakhstani health centers are mainly located on the shores of lakes or reservoirs, as well as in mountainous areas (Lakes Shchuchye and Borovoye, Almaty suburbs, foothill areas of Alatau). In addition to treatment with mud and healing water, laser, physiotherapy and climatotherapy, balneological procedures, exercise therapy, therapeutic massage and other methods are used here.

Health tourism centers

Medical tourism is very developed in European countries. The main centers of health tourism are resorts in Central and Eastern Europe. In countries from the former socialist camp, sanatorium and resort recreation is developed at a high level - there are many healing natural and climatic springs that help cure a variety of diseases, carry out rehabilitation procedures and prevent diseases.