WELLNESS AS A SEGMENT OF SPA TOURISM IN SERBIA

Jelena Vićentijević

Jelena Vićentijević University of Belgrade – Faculty of Geography

Keywords: wellness, spa, tourism, Serbia

Abstract

Spa tourism implies the use of healing thermal and mineral water. In the past the main was health-cure function, while in the 21^st century it represents complex type of tourism integrating series of tourism subtypes. Wellness is new lifestyle that emphasizes nurturing spirit and body, putting accent on prevention rather than treatment. Spas as ecological places with preserved nature and healing characteristics are ideal wellness destinations. The aim of the paper is to analyze the concept of wellness, highlight its importance in spa tourism and point out effects and possibilities of wellness tourism development in Serbian spas. In the future due to stress and faster lifestyle tourist demand for products based on relaxation and establishment of psycho-physical balance will increase, therefore it is necessary that spas in Serbia recognize their potential in wellness industry, build their offer modeled on developed European spa centers and improve their position on the international tourism market.

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