07 May, 2014

Slovakia promotes itself as the land of spas and water fun to Gulf State residents

DUBAI ,MAY 7, 2014
Presenting at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) being held from May 5 – 8 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Slovak Tourist Board promoted Slovakia as the land of spas and water fun for residents of the Gulf States.
Slovakia ranks among one of the most significant countries in the world from the viewpoint of abundance, yield and chemical composition of its mineral waters. Written records of the medicinal use of curative waters in Slovakia date back to the 12th century. Archaeological finds, however, suggest that the curative waters were used much earlier.
Spa care is an integral part of health care in the Slovak Republic, and uses the latest findings of science and research in the field of balneology, physical medicine, healthy diet, and curative rehabilitation. It focuses not only on the immediate and follow-up spa care but also on the prevention of a wide range of diseases. Spa towns have created a spa environment with a lot of cultivated green areas; relax zones, sporting fields, cultural facilities, and pure air. And precisely due to the high-quality environment and infrastructure, they are also popular centres for the organization of conferences, congresses, and festivals. Forty per cent of the total number of visitors to Slovak spas are international visitors, constituting mainly visitors from European Union countries.
At present there are 25 spa towns in the Slovak Republic, and the Slovak spa business is one of the most advanced in Europe, considering the quality of its complex services. The largest amount of thermal water is used at the world-famous spa of Piešťany. Treatment of locomotive organs has achieved very good results here, and it has also won several prizes. The popular travel website – Lonely Planet – belonging to the biggest guide book publisher, ranked the Piešťany spa among the 20 best European spas with natural thermal springs. It is characterised as the biggest Slovak spa town where everything is based on the curative mud. The publisher praises its location within wild greenery of a forest park known as “Spa Island” which draws the attention of large spa hotel operators. CNN placed Thermia Palace, a Piešťany hotel built in the Art Nouveau style, among the world’s nine best luxurious holiday destinations with a weight-loss programme. It has hosted kings, sheikhs, and tsars during its more than a hundred-year existence. According to CNN, it has ambitions to be at the top of the best European spas with natural thermal springs. The medical staff there focus mainly on wellness and weight loss.
Apart from Piešťany, there are other spas that specialise in the treatment of locomotive organs, such as Bojnice (with a beautiful chateau and a zoo), Dudince (where the curative water was used by the Roman soldiers as early as the 4th century A.D.) or Trenčianske Teplice, where there is a preserved and working Turkish bath Hammam in an oriental Moresque style.
The spa of Smrdáky (Western Slovakia) is unique in the world, specializing in the treatment of skin disorders, thanks to the hydrogen sulfide present in the water and mud. Suffers of any circulatory system problems will find respite in the spa of Bardejov (also visited by Empress Elisabeth of Austria (Sisi)), and the town of Bardejov is a UNESCO monument. A stay in the spa of Sliač with a spa oasis full of green zones will predominately aid heart conditions as does Vyšné Ružbachy, which is located below the peaks of the High Tatras, and used to be visited by the Spanish king, Alfonso XIII.
Excellent results and high-quality services are also found in other spas including Rajecké Teplice with its thermal springs and antique style interiors, and the spa of Lúčky that is one of the oldest spas in Slovakia. It is situated in a cooler climatic zone of the Tatra Mountains just a few minutes from the thermal swimming pool and water park of Bešeňová.
Slovakia also boasts five other interesting water parks as well as 15 thermal swimming pools that are open all year round and are fun-oriented and family-friendly. They are situated in the most beautiful regions of Slovakia where one can enjoy unique scenery, especially in winter, where visitors can have a relaxing swim in thermal waters while enjoying a stunning view of the snow-capped peaks of the Tatra Mountains. Children can have fun going down water slides and chutes as well as enjoying other water attractions, while parents will find rest and relaxation in saunas or by availing of themselves with curative procedures and massages.
There are interesting monuments, castles, chateaus, museums, galleries and historical centres in the towns surrounding Slovak spas. Towns with shopping centres are also nearby.
Bratislava: The youngest capital with a rich history
Bratislava is one of the youngest capitals of Europe and at the same time one of the cities with a rich history dating back two thousand years ago. The location of the city in the very heart of Europe on the shore of the Danube River predestined Bratislava to become a crossroads and destination of trade routes and centre of different cultures.
Bratislava has the unique distinction of being the only capital city in the world to borders two countries – Austria and Hungary. It is only70 kmaway from Vienna with its international European airport.
Bratislava’s historical attractions include Bratislava Castle where visitors can find different expositions about the history and culture of the city and the country. The historical centre also boasts the St. Martin’s Cathedral that witnessed the crowning of 18 kings and queens during the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, including Maria Theresa, one of the most important historical sovereigns of Europe. Other historical buildings also include the Slovak National Theatre and the reconstructed building of the Slovak Philharmonic. Various palaces also currently house art galleries and museums with interesting expositions.
The capital city hosts unique cultural and sports events all year round: jazz concerts, operas, classical music concerts with world famous performers and groups, expositions of significant historical and modern works of art, fairs and markets and workshops of folk crafts, as well as dramatic hockey or football matches, marathons, and athletic contests.
MICE activites in Slovakia
MICE facilities, accommodations and conference capacities have been considerably extended over the past several years and international hotel groups now include the likes of Kempinski, Crown Plaza, Lindner, Radisson Blu, Sheraton, Hilton/Double Tree, Mercure, Holiday Inn and others. Modern congress hotels are fully equipped with sophisticated event facilities, state-of-the-art equipment and communications technology to host memorable conferences and special events. The versatility of the offer allows clients to select their favorite lodging from historical castles, manors to contemporary hotels and spas, and other unique venues across the country.
Slovakia’s rich folklore and historical heritage, as well as the unspoiled nature and beautiful landscape are also ideal to please MICE participants eager to discover new culture and exciting leisure and sport activities. People can marvel at UNESCO sites; discover historical wonders amongst the 180 castles and 559 chateaux and manor houses, 10 open-air museums of popular architecture, 45 wooden churches and numerous museums and art galleries; buy international brands in luxury shopping complexes or look for local fashion, souvenirs and handicraft in small boutiques.
The largest convention centre in the country, INCHEBA Expo Bratislava, can host a large variety of events, indoor and outdoor, covering exhibitions, social events, a wide range of cultural and sporting events, as well as meetings and conferences at the highest level for up to 4500 people in various configurations.
Slovak Convention Bureau (SCB) offers one stop shop consulting for international planners. SCB members include highly qualified Professional Congress Organisers (PCOs), Destination Management Companies (DMCs), international hotels, local and regional tourist boards, MICE venues and service providers. Members of SCB have the expertise to handle every aspects of MICE events - including overseeing of budget, liaising with suppliers, use of local knowledge and network to select the most suitable accommodation, transportation, sightseeing programs and other services to suit international organizers and delegates’ requirements.
For more information, please visit our website at www.slovakia.travel
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