SPA TOURISM - A MAJOR COMPONENT OF TOURISM

Abstract

History of termalism gets lost in the mists of time, mineral waters, especially thermal being known and exploited since 3-4000 years ago by Egyptians, Etruscans, Greeks and then the Romans. During the Roman Empire, however, the thermal phenomenon known a particular development both from the point of view of the spread in the territory and its role and importance. Modern Era, respectively the nineteenth century, marks the real renaissance and development of European spa resorts, now the universe thermal began to be structured on the defining elements of a modern spa resort: the thermal establishment, casino, thermal park and accommodation structures. The cities of water, as they were called, were designed to fulfill complementary functions: for "health" due to the proceedings/treatments proposed/conducted, for the "leisure" by playful activities, culture and sports, for "social" due to their social relations, they set. Spa resorts have become important destinations for treatment, recreation and vacation but also for meetings and political discussions to which a significant number of travelers coming from the nobility of Europe straighten out, that is why, between 1800-1900, the spa tourism has been considered a termalism of the elites.