Health Tourism in Hungary Case Study Spa Hévíz

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

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

Types of health tourism Wellness Medical Holistic Leisure and Recreation Medical wellness Medical (therapical) Medical (surgical) Spiritual Beauty Treatments Therapeutic Recreation Cosmetic Surgery Yoga and Meditation Sport, fitness Rehabilitation (lifestyle related) Rehabilitation (illness related) New Age Pampering Occupational Wellness Healing& Recuperation Dentistry Operations Thalassotherapy Nutritional & Detox Programmes Source: Smith M. – Puczkó L. 2009. /Smith, M. 2012

Leading contries in the field of Medical Tourism source: www. sinetinfo. org

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

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

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

Hungary’s current supplies • 1 298 thermal springs • 385 settlements across Hungary are offering thermal or spa bath • 17 qualified health resorts (Hévíz, Bükfürdő, Sárvár, Balf, Zalakaros, Harkány, Balatonfüred, Parád, Lillafüred, Kékestető, Eger, Mezőkövesd, Debrecen, Hajdúszoboszló, Gyula, Nyíregyháza-Sóstógyógyfürdő, Szigetvár) • 36 qualified thermal spa resorts • 83 qualified thermal baths • 5 thermal caves • 251 qualified mineral waters, 266 healing waters • 5 healing mud occurence • 2 mofetta (Mátraderecske, Parádfürdő)

Health tourism in figures Health tourism is an important motivation for domestic and international travellers too: • 8. 3 % of the guest nights on average, 7. 6% of the domestic guest nights and 9. 0 % of the foreign guest nights were spent in Medical Spa Hotels in Hungary. • 16% of foreign visitors spending min. four nights in Hungary came to our country with a purpose to heal • The most important source markets for medical spa hotels are Germany, Russia and Austria Source: Hungarian Central Statistical Office Prepared by: Hungarian Tourism Ltd.

Guest nights in Medical Spa hotels 21, 743 25, 806 17, 732 24, 372 35, 255 11, 252 23, 209 12, 732 33, 289 106, 960 7, 050 73, 595 5, 944 18, 646 15, 853 8, 927 31, 696 246, 790 255, 697 24, 272 Austria United Kingdom Germany Spain Ukraine Belgium France Italy Switzerland Israel Czech Republic Holland Russia Sveden Japan Danmark Poland Romania Slovakia USA Source: Hungarian Central Statistical Office Prepared by: Hungarian Tourism Ltd.

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

Hévíz – the spa town Local population: 4950 Accommodation supply: 10. 000+ guest-beds Visitor figures: 1. 080. 000 guest nights/year The most visited town in Hungary after Budapest (with the highest capacity of accommodation)

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

The core product: Hévíz Traditional Cure On thermal water and the mud based - 200 years old traditional cure, - professional doctors and therapists - individual therapy program - vocation for health prevention and recovery. Best for Musculoskeletal disorders (locomotor diseases)

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

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

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

Widening the product range Wide selection of health-tourism services - Beauty treatments from organic to „high-tech” products - Plastic surgery - Dental clinics - Fasting cure - Fitness programs, personal training - Life style consultation 8380 Hévíz, Rákóczi u. 2. • e-mail: info@hevizmarketing. hu • Tel. : +36 83 540 131 • Fax: +36 83 540 132

Supplementery products Lake Balaton, Keszthely, Small-Balaton

…the fountain of life! More information about the town, programs, accommodation: www. HEVIZ. hu