Spa Facilities Research Articles

Integrated approach for geothermal exploration: Case study from Salar area (Afyonkarahisar, Turkey)

The intense investment demand in the geothermal sector in Afyonkarahisar province in recent years has enabled the utilization of geothermal waters such as district heating and greenhouse heating, electricity generation, and spa facilities and accelerated the exploration of new geothermal areas in the region. In this study, the Salar (Afyonkarahisar) region's geothermal potential was investigated using the mineralogy and geochemistry of hydrothermal alteration, hydrogeochemistry, and resistivity models obtained from magnetotelluric data. The Salar region is located within the Afyon-Akşehir Graben (AAG) and 10 km south of Afyonkarahisar province. The most important manifestations of the geothermal system are the geothermal water at temperatures of 25 °C and 31 °C obtained from the boreholes and hydrothermal alteration in Salar. Afyon volcanoclastics are reservoir rocks. Smectite and illite are the most important clay minerals in the hydrothermal alteration zones. The transformation from volcanic glass and alkali feldspar to smectite and illite reflects neutral-alkaline alteration conditions in felsic rocks. The clay minerals' stable isotopes (δD and δ18O) indicate hypogene conditions. Discharge temperature, electrical conductivity and pH of Salar region geothermal waters vary from 25 to 31 °C, 320–357 µs/cm, and 6.8, respectively. The Salar geothermal waters are Ca-(Na)-HCO3 type chemically. The electric resistivity models reveal shallow low resistivity (10 < ρ < 80 Ωm) layer related to the alluvium, Gebeceler formation, and Afyon volcanoclastics and deeper high resistivity (80 <ρ < 200 Ωm and ρ > 200 Ωm) layer based on Deresinek and Değirmendere formation respectively. The difference in electrical resistivity arises from the geothermal waters and hydrothermal alteration zones, influenced by the AAG tectonics.The stable isotopes (δD and δ18O) and alpha cristobalite geothermometer calculations indicate that the condition of the temperature in the active and fossil geothermal systems in the Salar does not change, and the condition of the temperature is between 44 °C and 112 °C.

Investigation of Presumptive HIV Transmission Associated with Receipt of Platelet-Rich Plasma Microneedling Facials at a Spa Among Former Spa Clients - New Mexico, 2018-2023.

HIV transmitted through cosmetic injection services via contaminated blood has not been previously documented. During summer 2018, the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) was notified of a diagnosis of HIV infection in a woman with no known HIV risk factors who reported exposure to needles from cosmetic platelet-rich plasma microneedling facials (vampire facials) received at a spa in spring 2018. An investigation of the spa's services began in summer 2018, and NMDOH and CDC identified four former spa clients, and one sexual partner of a spa client, all of whom received HIV infection diagnoses during 2018-2023, despite low reported behavioral risks associated with HIV acquisition. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed highly similar HIV strains among all cases. Although transmission of HIV via unsterile injection practices is a known risk, determining novel routes of HIV transmission among persons with no known HIV risk factors is important. This investigation identified an HIV cluster associated with receipt of cosmetic injection services at an unlicensed facility that did not follow recommended infection control procedures or maintain client records. Requiring adequate infection control practices and maintenance of client records at spa facilities offering cosmetic injection services can help prevent the transmission of HIV and other bloodborne pathogens and ensure adequate traceback and notification in the event of adverse clinical outcomes, respectively.

Evaluation of social knowledge on photoprotection and its relationship with education and age in a Polish seaside town during summer holidays.

This survey aimed to evaluate knowledge of photoprotection among individuals from a random group in a resort town in Poland, Kołobrzeg, and explore the correlation between their knowledge and demographics like age, gender, education, and residence. An anonymous survey was conducted among a diverse group. This population comprised individuals from various backgrounds: health spa patients undergoing treatments, therapies and medical appointments, guests visiting the resort for leisure, passersby, and staff working at the spa and recreational facilities. The survey was designed by authors, encompassed 16 questions about knowledge on photoprotection, sunscreen use and related topics, and gathered demographic data. Responses from 142 individuals were statistically analyzed using PQStat Software. Only 7.7% use sunscreen all year-round. The majority apply sun protection factor (SPF) creams on sunny days or with prolonged sun exposure. Over half of the respondents (53.5%) are aware when to apply sunscreen but 43% reapply it less than every 4 h. 25.4% do not reapply at all. 38.7% think protection provided by higher SPF means longer sun exposure time. Over 50% believe SPF 30 offers double the protection of SPF 15. Almost half (46.8%) use extra sun protection, like sunglasses or hats. Significant correlations exist between education/age and certain survey responses. The findings emphasize the urgency to improve photoprotection knowledge in the Polish population, particularly regarding the year-round harmful solar effects and the correct use of sun protection products.

Customer Perception towards Muslim-Friendly Beauty and Wellness Spa Facilities

People are more likely to visit a spa and wellness centre as their awareness of healthy lifestyles and nice personalities grows, particularly among career and working women. It is a beauty treatment centre that caters to their desire for beauty treatments that can restore, freshen, and revitalise their physical problems. Spas and wellness centres that offer Shariah-compliant products and services are frequently referred to as Muslim-Friendly Spas. It is gaining popularity as a result of the proliferation of Muslim-friendly spas in countries such as Malaysia. However, because spa and wellness is a new subject to be classified in Muslim Friendly Tourism hospitality and services, there is limited research on Muslim Friendly Spa. As a result, the purpose of this article is to present a basic framework for conceptualising the characteristics of Muslim-friendly spas and distinguishing them from ordinary spas. The development of a Muslim-friendly spa must be guided by the incorporation of Shariah principles, Islamic teaching, and all other elements of spa operations. The proposed framework for Muslim-friendly understanding of the Muslim-friendly spa analyses the notion as well as the aspects that enact the sector. The library research technique approach will be used to analyse accessible resources linked to the issue in order to satisfy the aim and produce the deliverables for this paper. The importance of this study rests in the fact that it will introduce a new dimension to the spa industry, specifically the role of the spa industry's actors, individuals, and business communities in developing novel services for Muslim users. The findings of this work will add to the body of knowledge and may pave the way for further research into the application of the Muslim-friendly spa idea.

Short-Time Effects Of Spa-Rehabilitative Interventions On Pain, Mood And Quality Of Life In Musculoskeletal Disorders

<h3>Research Objectives</h3> To investigate the short-term effects of a spa rehabilitative protocol on pain perception, mood, and Quality of Life among patients affected by degenerative musculoskeletal disorders or post orthopaedic surgery outcomes. <h3>Design</h3> A multicenter observational study was conducted through pre- and post-treatment evaluations, planned follow-ups at three and six months were not conducted because of the COVID-19 pandemic. <h3>Setting</h3> The study was carried out in six spa facilities (Sirmione, Lombardy region, Italy; Abano Terme, Veneto region, Italy; Battaglia Terme, Veneto region, Italy; Levico Terme, Trentino Alto Adige region, Italy; Bibione, Veneto region, Italy; Casciana Terme, Tuscany region, Italy). <h3>Participants</h3> From March 2019 up to October 2019, data from the 160 users of the spa facilities with a medical prescription were collected. <h3>Interventions</h3> Twelve sessions of water-based exercise (thermal or warm water), six sessions per week, for a period of two weeks. A group of 44 patients also received traditional thermal therapies, including 12 mud therapy sessions and 12 thermal baths, six times each week, for two weeks. <h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3> Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), and the EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D). <h3>Results</h3> Data analysis has highlighted significant improvements in NRSp (p< 0.001), NRSa (p< 0.001), SF-12 PCS (p< 0.001), SF-12 MCS (p< 0.001), EQ-5D (p< 0.001), and NRSm (p=0.005) after the treatments. Different water types seemed to influence results, showing significant differences in NRSp, NRSa, NRSm, SF-12 PCS, SF-12 MCS and EQ-5D scores (p-value respectively, 0.003, < 0.001, < 0.001, < 0.001, < 0.001). <h3>Conclusions</h3> he spa environment in real-life demonstrated it could provide an out-of-hospital alternative for post-surgical patients. The addition of traditional thermal treatments should be a viable strategy for rehabilitation in degenerative conditions. <h3>Author(s) Disclosures</h3> No conflict of interests to declare.

Популярные спа-процедуры и перспективы применения авторского метода виброакустического массажа поющими чашами в оздоровительной практике (обзор)

The traditions of spa culture originated in Ancient Greece and have been developed to include various manual and instrumental techniques. The health resort sphere has much in common with the spa sector; however, the treatment in the former is carried out according to strict medical indications. Spa procedures have been gaining popularity in countries beyond Western Europe, including Russia; thus, the potential of using spa methods in Russian wellness practice requires careful study. In recent years, more and more people have turned to vibroacoustic massage with singing bowls, which can become a relevant and useful procedure at health resort and spa facilities. This paper aimed to present an overview of the most popular procedures as well as to determine the prospects for the use of the author’s method of vibroacoustic massage with singing bowls (patent RU2687006C1) in wellness practice. The review of literary sources showed that among the manual methods the most in demand are massage and body wraps, while among the instrumental techniques, vacuum therapy, vibrotherapy, chromotherapy, microcurrent treatment, and aromatherapy. Vibroacoustic massage with singing bowls includes both manual and instrumental techniques, since it involves a massage therapist along with physical factors (sound and vibration). The author’s method of vibroacoustic massage with singing bowls improves the quality of sleep as well as the physical and emotional state, stabilizes mental processes, relieves depression as well as trait and state anxiety, and reduces pain, which ultimately leads to increased activity and normalization of one’s social life. This method is environmentally friendly, safe, inexpensive and neither interacts with the main therapy or has pronounced side effects, which makes it a potentially useful procedure at health resort and spa facilities.

Short-time effects of spa rehabilitation on pain, mood and quality of life among patients with degenerative or post-surgery musculoskeletal disorders

Clinical trials have demonstrated traditional spa therapy effects in musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This is the first observational study in Italy aimed at evaluating in real-life the short-time effects of spa rehabilitation on pain, mood and quality of life (QoL) among degenerative or post-surgery MSDs patients. Through the involvement of six Italian spa facilities, 160 patients were enrolled; data from 123 patients were finally analysed. Seventy-nine patients (64.3%) accessed the spa for degenerative MSDs, while 44 (35.8%) had a post-surgical condition. All the patients included in the study underwent 12 sessions of water-based exercise (joint exercises, muscle strengthening, gait training, proprioceptive and balance techniques) conducted in thermal or in warm water pools, six sessions per week, for a period of 2 weeks from March 2019 up to October 2019. A group of 45 patients (36.6%) also received traditional thermal therapies, including 12 mud therapy sessions and 12 thermal baths, six times each week, for 2 weeks. Evaluation before and after the treatment included the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) and the EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D). The analysis of the scores reported in the questionnaires after the treatment showed a significant improvement in all the scores evaluated. Comparison between patients that performed water-based exercise protocols alone (group A) and patients that in addition to water exercise performed traditional thermal interventions (group B) showed no statistically significant differences in NRSp, NRSa, NRSm, SF-12 PCS, SF-12 MCS and EQ-5D variations; only NRSa value reduction was lower in group B. Sulphate water was found to be associated with a lower reduction of all the scores considered, when compared to the other water types. Patients with degenerative or post-surgery MSDs showed favourable effects on pain, mood and QoL after water exercise training alone or in combination with traditional thermal therapy. Our research provides the first proof that spa rehabilitation can be in real-life conditions an appropriate alternative strategy for post-orthopaedic surgical outcomes recovery. In the future, these results will need to be further investigated.

Identifying Frailty in Thermal/Spa Clinical Setting: A Cross-Sectional Study.

No investigation has assessed frailty in the clinical setting of thermal/spa facilities, which often receive older patients with osteo-articular and musculoskeletal conditions. To examine the prevalence of frailty in older adults receiving thermal/spa treatment and to gather preliminary evidence about the feasibility of integrating geriatric assessments, including frailty, in the routine clinical consultations in spa facilities. Mixed design, with a quantitative cross-sectional investigation performed among 197 volunteer patients (mean age 73.2 ± 6.4 years-old; 82.2% women) of seven French thermal/spa facilities and a qualitative investigation (semi-structured interviews) with the nine physicians working in the participating facilities. Frailty was defined according to a modified Fried frailty phenotype based on six self-reported criteria (including mobility impairment, nutritional status, and fatigue): individuals meeting ≥3 criteria were considered frail; 1-2 criteria, pre-frail; no criterion, robust. Interviews with the participating physicians on the feasibility of integrating geriatric assessments in routine clinical consultations at spa facilities were recorded and their content, analyzed. Frailty was detected in 112 individuals (56.9%), 26 (13.2%) were considered prefrail, and 59 (29.9%), robust. Regarding the interviews, three physicians indicated the geriatric assessments could be integrated in the routine spa consultations; two, in the consultations of specific/targeted patients, but not in routine; two, only in the context of health education; two, in the context of research protocols. The content of interviews highlighted geriatric assessments provided a better overview of the health/clinical status of the patients. Frailty is very prevalent in older patients of spa facilities. Such facilities may constitute an interesting clinical setting for screening for frailty through the implementation of geriatric assessments.

Potential Association of Legionnaires' Disease with Hot Spring Water, Hot Springs National Park and Hot Springs, Arkansas, USA, 2018-2019.

Legionella pneumophila is the cause of Legionnaires’ disease, a life-threatening pneumonia that occurs after inhalation of aerosolized water containing the bacteria. Legionella growth occurs in stagnant, warm-to-hot water (77°F–113°F) that is inadequately disinfected. Piped hot spring water in Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas, USA, has naturally high temperatures (>135°F) that prevent Legionella growth, and Legionnaires’ disease has not previously been associated with the park or other hot springs in the United States. During 2018–2019, Legionnaires’ disease occurred in 5 persons after they visited the park; 3 of these persons were potentially exposed in spa facilities that used untreated hot spring water. Environmental testing revealed Legionella bacteria in piped spring water, including 134°F stagnant pipe water. These findings underscore the importance of water management programs to reduce Legionella growth in plumbing through control activities such as maintaining hot water temperatures, reducing stored water age, and ensuring adequate water flow.

FH&amp;P RATING MODEL AND ITS APPLICATION WITHIN THE SLOVAK SPA ENTERPRISES

The aim of the paper is to propose a suitable structure of the newly designed Financial Health &amp; Prediction (FH&amp;P) rating model, and by putting it into practice in Slovak spa enterprises, to contribute to the development of financial management concepts for spa facilities operating in the field of tourism. The quantification of individual dimensions of the FH&amp;P rating model was based on the calculation of selected ten key financial ratio indicators and prediction models. The values (in different units of measure) were converted to points using compiled transformation tables which formed the final score of the FH&amp;P rating model and subsequently the proposed A-FX rating. Based on the results, Kúpele Bojnice, Inc. (SE03), Špecializovaný liečebný ústav Marína, s.e. (SE21) and Kúpele Nimnica, Inc. (SE07) received the best rating. This innovative model provides financial managers actual, simple and understandable overview of the financial health of a spa company and its future financial perspective. With a several adjustments, the FH&amp;P rating model is easily applicable in any economic sector of Slovakia.

Assessment of a low-enthalpy geothermal resource and evaluation of the natural CO2 output in the Tor di Quinto area (Rome city, Italy)

Rome Capital City is located in a high heat flux area of central Italy, suitable for low-enthalpy geothermal exploitation. In the central-northern part of the city, near Tor di Quinto hippodrome close to Tiber River, a wide undeveloped area occurs, which is a possible future urban development site. We present the results of a geochemical and geophysical study aimed at assessing the presence in this zone of a low-enthalpy geothermal aquifer and at evaluating its depth, thickness and the physico-chemical characteristics of the geothermal water. Furthermore the natural CO2 output of this zone has been investigated. A soil CO2 flux survey with 551 measurements over a surface of 3.09 km2 revealed the presence of parallel NW-SE trending positive flux anomalies. The total CO2 output was estimated to 87.77 t*day−1, most of which (85%) of endogenous or mixed origin. An Electrical Resistivity Tomography survey, consisting of five parallel 355 m long and 100 m spaced profiles, allowed the reconstruction of the stratigraphy of the underground sediments, which are fluvial deposits of the near Tiber River. The geothermal water is hosted in a low-resistivity layer, corresponding to the Tiber base gravels, which are here 20 m thick and whose top is 40 m below the surface. The water has a nearly constant temperature of 17.5 °C, a relatively high salinity and an appreciable content in dissolved gas. This low-enthalpy resource is suitable for direct uses, e.g. individual and district heating/cooling, sanitary hot water, spa facilities for swimming and bathing.

Medical spa facilities and nonphysician operators in aesthetics

Consumer interest in aesthetic procedures continues to grow. Through savvy marketing, affordable pricing, and minimal wait times, medical spas have grown in number to where they now outnumber physician-based cosmetic practices in 73% of major U.S. cities. To staff these facilities, owners frequently turn to nonphysician operators who have variable levels of training in dermatology and cosmetics. There has been a lack of uniform standardization of training and oversight, which may contribute to adverse events, such as burns, pigmentary alterations, and scarring. As the market for noninvasive and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures continues to grow, physicians should be informed about the current cosmetic landscape in which they practice to improve patient awareness, education, and safety.

Time Series Modeling Analysis of the Development and Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Spa Tourism in Slovakia

Natural healing resources in the form of mineral and thermal waters and climatic conditions, together with a rich history and modern medical procedures, rank Slovakia among the important European countries in the field of spas. At the same time, spa tourism has a significant economic benefit for the country. This study examined the impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on spa tourism in Slovakia. The Box-Jenkins methodology was used to model and forecast the time series for selected indicators. The analysis used monthly data on the capacity and performance of spa facilities for 2006–2019 and compared the forecast development for 2020–2021 with the reality as affected by the pandemic. Despite the high quality of the models, the methodology used did not take into account an unexpected event such as a pandemic. Therefore, the models were quite inaccurate and had little predictive value. At the same time, it is clear that the pandemic significantly affected spa tourism.

Medical Peat Waste Upcycling to Carbonized Solid Fuel in the Torrefaction Process

Peat is the main type of peloid used in Polish cosmetic/healing spa facilities. Depending on treatment and origin, peat waste can be contaminated microbiologically, and as a result, it must be incinerated in medical waste incineration plants without energy recovery (local law). Such a situation leads to peat waste management costs increase. Therefore, in this work, we checked the possibility of peat waste upcycling to carbonized solid fuel (CSF) using torrefaction. Torrefaction is a thermal treatment process that removes microbiological contamination and improves the fuel properties of peat waste. In this work, the torrefaction conditions (temperature and time) on CSF quality were tested. Parallelly, peat decomposition kinetics using TGA and torrefaction kinetics with lifetime prediction using macro-TGA were determined. Furthermore, torrefaction theoretical mass and energy balance were determined. The results were compared with reference material (wood), and as a result, obtained data can be used to adjust currently used wood torrefaction technologies for peat torrefaction. The results show that torrefaction improves the high heating value of peat waste from 19.0 to 21.3 MJ × kg−1, peat main decomposition takes place at 200–550 °C following second reaction order (n = 2), with an activation energy of 33.34 kJ × mol−1, and pre-exponential factor of 4.40 × 10−1 s−1. Moreover, differential scanning calorimetry analysis revealed that peat torrefaction required slightly more energy than wood torrefaction, and macro-TGA showed that peat torrefaction has lower torrefaction constant reaction rates (k) than wood 1.05 × 10−5–3.15 × 10−5 vs. 1.43 × 10−5–7.25 × 10−5 s−1.

Nadzór nad lecznictwem uzdrowiskowym ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem czynności kontrolno-nadzorczych nad zakładami lecznictwa uzdrowiskowego

Spa treatment, which constitutes an integral part of health care, is an organized activity consisting in providing health care services in the field of spa treatment or spa rehabilitation carried out in a spa by spa treatment facilities. In order to ensure the proper and efficient operation of this form of treatment in specially adapted facilities that are medical entities, this treatment is subject to professional supervision. Supervision over health resort treatment entails the control and evaluation of health resort treatment carried out in health resort treatment establishments. This issue is regulated primarily in the Act of 28 July 2005 on spa treatment, health resorts and health resort protection areas and in health resort communes, as well as in the Act of 15 April 2011 on medical activity. The study contains an analysis and evaluation of the legal regulations concerning the supervision of spa treatment. It discusses the basic terms related to spa issues and presents some concepts of control and supervision in terms of the doctrine. Spa supervision is characterized by specific regulations and the degree of complexity. This applies to individual issues that allow the reconstruction of the essence of supervision. These are the supervisory authorities, subject of supervision, the supervised entities, criteria and scope of supervision exercised and legal means of supervision. The authorities supervising the health resort treatment include the Minister of Health, the Voivode, the Minister of National Defense and the Minister of the Interior. In this article, in the analysis of the scope of his competences and control and supervisory powers great attention is paid to the Minister of Health as the central body of government administration in the field of matters belonging to the department of health administration managed by him. Due to the specific nature of supervision of this treatment carried out in the voivodeship, the legal position of the chief physician of the health resort, with whose help the voivode exercises this supervision, was analyzed. Since spa treatment is carried out in spa facilities in a health resort, the study contains the problem of separate control procedurescarried out in this area, within which special attention is paid to internal, management and ad hoc control.

Internal cost control of health resort institutions: Methodological aspects

Subject. This article analyzes the activities of therapeutic resort and spa facilities from the point of view of the social importance of the population's health. It discusses the problems of improving the system of cost control and calculating the cost of a unit of services provided by these facilities to obtain reliable information and optimize the costs. Objectives. Based on the analysis of statistical information and scientific sources, the article aims to form an opinion on the state of the health resort complex, the structure of costs, and their share by items and elements in the total amount of production costs, and develop a methodology for their continuous control, taking into account the industry specifics to minimize risks. Methods. For the study, we used analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction, literature review, and the calculation, graphical, accounting and analytical methods. Results. The article finds that the service provided by the health resort industry organizations is complex (accommodation, food, treatment) and therefore, it has a multi-element cost structure, which entails certain financial, tax, management risks that need continuous monitoring. Conclusions and Relevance. The proposed methodology helps to continuously control the costs of a multi-component service provided by economic entities of the health resort sector, optimizing them taking into account the industry specifics. This makes it possible to make this service more accessible to all segments of the population. The results of the study can be used in the theory and practice of internal cost control and the formation of the cost of a unit of services provided by the health resort institutions, as well as for further scientific developments and practical application.

Application of the DEA Model in Tourism SMEs: An Empirical Study from Slovakia in the Context of Business Sustainability

Slovak spa services are not given sufficient attention directly following the support and sustainable development. The paper focuses on the evaluation of the overall development and current level of efficiency of the Slovak spas in 2013–2018, through the application of DEA models. Input variables (total number of beds, employees, medical staff) and output variables (use of bed capacity, number of treated clients) within the structure of DEA models analyzed (CCR-I, CCR-O, BCC-I, BCC-O) are determined by results of the correlation analysis. The data were obtained from the annual reports of the spa enterprises. By the results, the average efficiency score for all enterprises reached 0.7527, i.e., the average spa enterprise would need only 75.27% of currently used inputs for a given output production to move to the efficiency frontier. The development of the average efficiency score confirmed a positive growing trend until 2015; however, the efficiency decreased by 1.84% in a year-to-year comparison in 2016–2018. In each year of the analyzed period, the number of inefficient enterprises (66.67%) exceeded that of the efficient ones (33.33%). Through research carried out in spa facilities, the authors contributed to expanding the application of the DEA method in another tourism sector.

Exploring Muslim Tourist Needs at Halal Spa Facilities to Support Indonesia’s Sharia Tourism

Exploring Muslim Tourist Needs at Halal Spa Facilities to Support Indonesia’s Sharia Tourism

The water-energy nexus in hotels and recreational activities of a mass tourism resort: the case of Benidorm

ABSTRACT This paper analyses the water-energy nexus (WEN) in hotels and recreational activities of Benidorm, a mass tourism resort on the Spanish Mediterranean coast. A survey was administered to a sample of three- and four-star hotels to estimate (1) water and energy consumption; (2) energy consumption for water uses, and (3) trade-offs between water and energy. Quantitative data was complemented with selected interviews with hotel managers and staff. A strong correlation was found between water and non-renewable energy consumption despite the presence of solar panels in hotels. Hotels with large restaurants (>250 seats) had higher water and energy consumption while spa facilities and lawn areas were positively correlated with energy consumption per guest night. Energy used for water increased according to hotel category. We estimate energy used for water oscillating approximately between 104 and 368 kWh/m3 for hotels and between 21 and 63 kWh/m3 for a waterpark. The interviewees revealed little familiarity with WEN despite its potential to achieve water and energy savings. Unsustainable trade-offs between energy and water were found in salty groundwater extraction and disposal for several hotels and for the waterpark. On the positive side, the use of biomass boilers proved to be highly efficient.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE NETWORKS OF PHYSICAL CULTURE AND SPORT FACILITIES AND OF THE TECHNICAL-MATERIAL BASE ON THE TERRITORY OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

In the Republic of Moldova, the socio-economic efficiency of Spa Facilities and Sport Facilities should ensure the main goal of physical culture – namely increasing the number of students and improving working conditions. If in the past the operational efficiency of Spa Facilities and Sport Facilities was hampered by the total disinterest of their work teams (due to the existing economic mechanism) in improving work, now it is the complete opposite: unlimited freedom means that Spa Facilities and Sport Facilities do not work at all, or are rented or that there is a strong increase in prices for services. This research enphasises a realistic perspective of the sport culture developpement in the Republic of Moldova based of the observation and practices.