The perspectives for the development and the conceptual and organizational framework of health tourism in Croatia

Abstract

In the historical part of the review, the author notes that the overall tourism in Croatia did in fact begin as a form of health tourism by the inauguration of the Hygiene Promotion Society in the last century on the island of Hvar. The author is strongly convinced that in the present day, and especially in the near future, health tourism has excellent chances for growth. This claim is based upon two major propositions. Firstly, because the hole in the ozone layer shows no signs of diminishing and thus reducing the adverse effects of the ultra-violet radiation on skin, eyes, and the immune system, the tourists are compelled to refrain from direct exposure to the sun, and are drawn towards the alternative specialized tourist activities, such as those found in the cultural, farming, recreational, ecological and health tourism. Secondly, and this is particularly applicable to the situation in Croatia, health tourism represents the most growth-oriented specialized branch of tourist economy, especially since it is geared towards the extension of the tourist season by its natural orientation towards the non-peak months of the tourist year. In this respect, it is completely complementary to the more usual forms of tourist economy. Since, by definition, health tourism falls into the area bordering both health and tourism, the respective authorities from both areas are expected to put forward the necessary regulations, standards, and norms; the Ministry of Health has already done that. The experts are expected to provide the necessary professional conceptualizations from the viewpoint of medical doctrines, such as algorithms (eg. the compulsory initial consultations, medical supervision of treatment dosage, etc.).