Man has been using the beneficial properties of thermal waters since prehistoric times.
Already in the ancient world, water was a sacred element and natural medicine, to which therapeutic and parasiticidal properties were attributed. It was Hippocrates who studied the use of thermal waters for therapeutic purposes while the Greeks and Romans spread thermalism throughout their colonised territories.
Spa centres are often found in evocative settings that enhance the magic of their waters and amplify the benefits of relaxation and treatments. We are talking about wellness oases that can be found in mountains, by the sea or near places full of charm. Water remains, however, the primordial element to refer to.
Modern spa tourism: what are the trends?
Spa tourism has long been one of the growth factors in Italian and international tourism figures. After the halt due to covid, the numbers are on the upswing.
What are the travel trends for 2023? According to a new report by the Global Wellness Institute, tourists are once again looking for authentic wellness experiences that are in tune with nature and have a strong social focus.
“The pandemic has unleashed a hunger for experiences in nature that shows no signs of abating. But when we talk about the wave of hunger for nature, we usually stay on dry land. By 2023, however, people will be jumping into the world’s wild waters for a bit of blue wellness, with an unprecedented global wave of new spa destinations, wild and cross-country swimming soon to become global,’ the Global Wellness Institute report said. Of course, spa wellness is only part of this year’s new trend.
Tourists are in fact looking for social experiences, which allow them to connect with other people. If until a few years ago the idea of relaxation was often associated with loneliness, today more than ever there is a need to forge human relationships, perhaps also because of the pandemic and isolation that has brought us.
However, there are a number of fundamental aspects to consider, two of which are the type of client you are addressing and the focus of the location.
Today’s SPA customer is demanding, informed and attentive to his own well-being. This requires a different approach than in the past. In addition, in order to stand out from the competition and make a lasting impression on the client, it is necessary to propose avant-garde architectural, design and conceptual solutions, with a strong sensitivity to all that is ecological and in strong symbiosis with the surrounding territory.
The secret to success: effective design
To offer the right dimension of relaxation and well-being, it is necessary to focus on environments where magic and charm come together: places that invite you to stop the hands of the clock!
This is possible by relying on accurate design, trained professionals, and ‘tailor-made’ studies based on the type of investment, characteristics of the thermal springs, peculiarities of the territory, etc. If well managed, thermal spas become enchanting places that combine health care, vitality, carefree living and sharing.
Why choose Thermal Spas?
Thermal spas exploit the benefits of water to offer therapeutic treatments, as well as general wellbeing, thanks to the use of the hot waters that flow directly from underground, their vapours and the resulting muds. The special feature lies in the type of water used. In fact, depending on their characteristics, the waters are used to treat joint, rheumatic and vascular disorders, or in the case of respiratory, digestive or dermatological complaints.
The relaxation factor is also important: besides relaxing the body, thermal ‘holidays’ are also good for the mind and improve the quality of sleep.
