DEVELOPMENT TRENDS OF SPA TOURISM IN THE REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA
Fatmire AMITI, Rukije IBRAIMI, Xhejda JONUZI
Abstract
This paper analyzes the development of spa tourism in North Macedonia. Spa tourism is the use of thermal, mineral, and thermal-mineral waters, for treatment, rehabilitation, and recreation where numerous recreational, sports, and cultural activities are held. This type of tourism is one of the oldest organized forms of tourism in the present-day area of North Macedonia, since ancient times. The Republic of North Macedonia states that the possibility of having a developed tourism economy should be based on its alternative forms, with the proper utilization of mineral and thermal-mineral resources, the country will greatly benefit from curative and spa tourism.
The focus of the paper will be the thermal mineral spas: Katlanova Spa, Kocani Spa, Spas of Dibra: Kosovrast and Banjishte, Kezovica Spa, Bansko Spa, Negorci Spa, Kumanovo Spa. In addition to these thermal mineral baths that are already used by tourists, less well-known sources that have the potential to turn into new tourist destinations will be mentioned, such as: Thermo mineral resources close to river Shkumbim near Tetovo, Dobrevo in Zletovo, Istibanja in Vinica, Uji i së shtunës (Sabota Voda) in Veles, Volkova in Skopje and others. Following is the data on the number of tourists, the number of domestic and foreign tourists, and the nights spent by them in spa resorts for the period 2018-2022. And the accommodation capacities found near the thermal mineral baths.
Pages:
155 - 162