Croatian spas set for major overhaul amid tourism surge

(Photo credit: Damir Mrvčić)

At the conference “Thermal Waters – Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow” in Varaždinske Toplice, plans for the construction/renovation of several Croatian spas were presented.

Health Tourism Growth Rate at 20% Annually

Health tourism is the fastest-growing segment of the tourism industry globally, with an estimated annual growth rate of around 20%. Recognizing this enormous potential for economic growth, the Croatian Government decided to fund five major projects at the beginning of the year through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, worth nearly 57 million euros.

Among these projects is the improvement of accommodation and amenities at Hotel Minerva in Varaždinske Toplice, with support amounting to 17.1 million euros. Varaždinske Toplice, known for having the oldest and best-preserved thermal baths in Croatia and as a European center of antiquity, has thus become richer with another new EU project.

This was one of the topics discussed today at the International Expert Conference ‘Thermal Water, Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow’ as part of the three-day event Aquafest 2024.

The conference, organized by the Tourist Board of Varaždinske Toplice, led by director Lana Husnjak, and the Local Museum, with support from the City of Varaždinske Toplice, was attended by Ms. Silvija Zagorec, Deputy County Prefect, Ms. Dragica Ratković, Mayor of Varaždinske Toplice, Ms. Mirjana Vuković from the Ministry of Health, Ms. Antonija Drmić, Head of the Department for Special Forms of Tourism, and Mr. Tadimir Radobolja, Head of the Department for Tourism Fund Management, both from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.

(Photo credit: Damir Mrvčić)

Speakers at the conference included Denis Kovačić, Director of the Special Hospital for Medical Rehabilitation in Varaždinske Toplice, Melita Bartoš from Daruvarske Toplice, Anita Vondrak from Lipik Spa, and special guest Mr. Iztok Altbauer, Director of the Slovenian Spas Association. Željka Sladović from Geoda presented new experiences and professional analysis on the use of geothermal energy.

Denis Kovačić emphasized the importance of the hospital for the entire destination and expressed satisfaction that the special hospital and spa could apply for such funding for the first time. He presented plans for the funds received through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NPOO), aimed at improving the quality of accommodation and amenities at Hotel Minerva in Varaždinske Toplice.

Over the past four years, they have achieved a lot with previously obtained funds from the Operational Program Competitiveness and Cohesion and now with NPOO funds for interior and amenity upgrades at Minerva. They have raised standards, conducted energy renovations in existing facilities, and opened a new building as the National Center for Spinal Injuries in September last year.

(Photo credit: Damir Mrvčić)

They are now in the process of a public call for bids to upgrade the quality of accommodation and amenities at Hotel Minerva, focusing on both exterior and interior pools and improving interiors, squares, rooms, bathrooms, and plumbing. They aim to finish this summer swimming season and start the work in the fall, beginning with the exterior and interior pools to prepare them for the next swimming season.

The remaining work will likely require the hotel to close in the fall, but they aim to keep this period as short as possible.

Mayor Ratković highlighted that Varaždinske Toplice is returning to its roots of continental tourism, enhancing the tourist offer with top-quality services and more events. The hotel renovation, funded to meet 4-star standards, will significantly boost tourism. Recently, they also opened the four-star Hotel Bernarda with a wellness center, further enriching the local offer.

Mr. Iztok Altbauer shared the experiences of Slovenian spas, which emphasize proximity to nature, distance from crowds, and a holistic approach. Slovenian spas are among their most successful tourism products, with each spa having unique features.

(Photo credit: Damir Mrvčić)

Terme Zreče, for instance, is known for lakes with medicinal mud at 1500 meters above sea level. Despite a history over 600 years long, they lack well-preserved sites like Varaždinske Toplice. Slovenian spas market themselves as year-round products for all generations and have been using EU funds for 15 years, starting with the construction of apartment complexes and camps.

They emphasize health resorts, with new hotels, wellness offers, pools, and family programs built over the last 25 years. Notably, 12-13% of overnight stays are covered by health insurance, with the rest being for commercial purposes.

Terme Laško recently celebrated 170 years of existence, building a new wellness hotel and boasting a 70-year tradition of rehabilitation.

(Photo credit: Damir Mrvčić)

Terme 3000 Moravske Toplice is known for its black thermal mineral water used for therapeutic purposes, discovered accidentally while searching for oil. Terme Olimia is well-known among Croatians and prides itself on “architectural perfection.” Unlike Dolenjske Toplice, where health tourism accounts for 45%, only 3-4% of Olimia’s offerings are health-related, with the rest being wellness services.

Ptuj Thermal Spa, similar to Varaždinske Toplice, is one of the youngest but prides itself on its 4+ star hotel. Čateške Toplice is the largest bathing complex, while Radeče is a traditional bathing site from the Austro-Hungarian era. Dobrna Thermal Spa, the oldest, dates back to 1403 and features a feng shui-designed park. Šmarješke Toplice has the only wooden pool with thermal water, while Talaso Strunja, the only health resort without a thermal source, is located in a protected nature park.

(Photo credit: Damir Mrvčić)

Daruvarske Toplice is a center for medical and sports rehabilitation, featuring a source of medicinal thermal water and mineral mud. Funds from the NPOO will be invested in the thermal hotel Termal, where a smaller part will go towards wellness.

Their park is one of the most significant landscape gardens in Croatia, with four protected historical buildings and the Central Mud Bath dating back to 1404. Future plans include a top-notch wellness and spa center, two outdoor and one indoor thermal pools, and a bio-garden for the Terrace restaurant, ranked among the top 100 Croatian restaurants for 12 years.

They focus on services for people with special needs, earning recognition. Although the official deadline for the works is June 30, 2025, they anticipate an extension.

Lipik is known for its thermal water, Lipizzaner horses, and glass production, with medicinal water dating back to Roman times. The spa park has existed since 1808, and they are developing a Kneipp therapy path worth 40,000 euros.

They will demolish the Fontana building and convert it into a health tourism hotel, creating new jobs, developing health tourism, and increasing tourist arrivals. They aim to attract local and foreign investors and enhance cultural and recreational offerings to gain recognition.

(Photo credit: Damir Mrvčić)

“All these spas, whose stories we have heard, have a bright future, as do Varaždinske Toplice. I believe each will be a generator of increased revenue and recognition of valuable Croatian destinations,” concluded Lana Husnjak, Director of the Varaždinske Toplice Tourist Board.

The very attractive all-day program and evening antique spectacles continue until late Friday night, with Saturday starting at 10 AM with children’s workshops and at 10:30 AM with a grand procession of nymphs and Romans. For the remaining program, please visit Aquafest Facebook.