The potential of thermal springs tourism and the beneficial effects of hydrotherapy were presented by the Hellenic Association of Municipalities with Thermal Springs’ pavilion in Syntagma Square on Tuesday, March 22nd 2016 in celebration of World Water Day
At the Association’s pavilion, visitors got acquainted with the natural curative resources of Greece and representatives of the municipalities – members of the Association informed them about the beneficial and healing properties of the thermal springs.
The event was attended by officials from the tourism, economy and finance ministries as well as sector professionals who underlined the important role that Greece’s thermal springs can play in the economic development of local communities.
“The association views all hydropathy facilities as primary health care/treatment units, which influence each region’s cultural environment and are key to the economic development of local communities and related to local history and tradition”, John Karagiannis, Mayor of Lagadas and vice president of the association stressed welcoming guests.
Upgrading the infrastructure
Deputy Foreign Minister Dimitris Mardas noted it was critical to bring in foreign investors in order to upgrade the infrastructure and in the long run attract high income tourists.
According the Hellenic Association of Municipalities:
- In Greece the art of hydrotherapy has been practiced for 2.500 years
- There are currently more than 80 businesses offering hydrotherapy facilities across Greece, 38 of which are run by municipalities, 37 owned by individuals and seven belong to the State
- These facilities sold more than 900,000 tickets during 2014 compared to 2.5 million tickets sold during 2010, prior to the economic crisis
- Throughout the year, facilities of spa tourism – spa for the care of health run incessantly in the country
- Greece has thermal curative waters, clays, streams of mineral which were in the service of human health for centuries
- Most of them are located within Central Greece and Central Macedonia and 80 percent have applied for recognition as natural healing units
- In the beautiful Greek natural thermalistic enviroments you have the possibility to take care of your physical fitness and to enrich your pleasant stay with new experiences
- The Hellenic Association of Municipalities with Thermal Springs was founded in Thessaloniki in 1983 and currently has 55 members
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
