THERMAL MINERAL WATER AS A NATURAL POTENTIAL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPA TOURISM IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Abstract

Bosnia and Herzegovina is rich in natural resources, among which the most important are mineral, thermal and thermo-mineral waters. Heterogeneous and complex geological tectonics of Bosnia and Herzegovina conditioned emergence of the large number of mineral, thermal, thermomineral water springs that have a significant role in health care, spa and recreational tourism. Initiators of spa tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina are spas. Healing power of thermal mineral springs has been recognized since the time of Greeks and Romans. After World War II visiting spas was more frequent, but in the period from 1948. to 1960., spas were treated as medical facilities. In the early 70's, visiting spas was treated as a component of tourism, therefore hotels, restaurants and new rehabilitation centers were built. Modern life has influenced the transformation of the classic spa tourism which is increasingly getting the characteristics of wellness tourism. This paper presents some thermal mineral water in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which are valorized in spas, and registered as medical institutions. Besides them, there are numerous cases of these types of groundwater in our country whose value is still not recognized. Paper also describes problems of spa tourism offer, as well as possible ways of Bosnia and Herzegovina spa destinations improvment.