The effect of packages on wellness tourism in Eastern Hungary, North Great Plain Region and Romania’s Bihor Region

Abstract

Hungary and Romania have both abundant sources of mineral and medicinal water. Primary wellness tourism is traditionally based on thermal spas, but other recreational and gastrocultural opportunities are necessary to attract further visitors. The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the availability of complex (fitness-wellness) packages in wellness hotels at Hajdú-Bihar county, North Great Plain Region, Hungary and in some extent Bihor county, Romania. The secondary aim was to examine the possible effect of these packages on local tourism. Twenty-two hotels responded positively to our survey, which represents a reasonably good, over 50 % return rate majority of them above 90 % offer some kind of wellness options (spa, cosmetical, medical or alternative therapies). Very few hotels had some kind of fitness facility. Among medical or other alternative therapies acupuncture, Bach therapy, Kneipp therapy, chiropractic options are the most popular. Recreational or outdoor activities are very few among the hotels participating in our survey. We may conclude that one prospective way to boost touristic revenues related to health and wellness is to introduce or further develop packages. Combining fitness-wellness, recreational, therapeutic, cultural and gastronomic options or services may be the key to attract further visitors to our region.

Keywords

• Wellness tourism
• Bihor-Hajdú-Bihar Euroregion
• packages