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