Good practice:

Development of tourist attractions and services

Thermal therapies have a strong connection to tourism, in which industry it is inevitably important to moderate the temporal concentration. That is why in Hungary the infrastructural development of the really popular open-air spas were supplemented by the development of tourist attractions and services tailored to the needs of the target groups.
At Hajdú-Bihar county more projects were implemented in the frameworks of this call
1. Spa development at Hajdúszoboszló
As in Hungary the wellness and the treatment therapies are at the same place, by attracting the youth, aging members of the families can also get their treatments.
2. Complex spa development in the Big Forest
To improve the number and quality of existing services, to increase guest satisfaction, and to improve capacity utilization.
3. Complex development of health services and technology at the Spa of Debrecen
To utilize the opportunities of traditional health tourism, including medical tourism, primarily based on thermal water. Shifting from medical activity to prevention-recreation, increasing the tourist attractiveness of health services. Furthermore, the development of complex service packages with health and other attractions.
4. Touristical use of the Water tower of Debrecen
An old, but functioning Water Tower got a new role in the life of the area – it became a cozy place for chilling, giving people at thermal therapies a chance for a drink, some activities (like wall climbing) or even live music.

6,750 M HUF including 2,000 M HUF for the development of spas
the budget was planned for 35 projects (34 were implemented) 14 at Hajdú-Bihar county
financial intensity was 50-100% depending on the type of the applicant

592,37% application for the available budget shows the great interest of possible applicants
171,68 % of original budget spent to 34 projects
number of tourists and the usage of the area increased significantly, infrastructural developments are visible (data is pending)

- Infrastructural development is inevitable from time to time in any region which builds on thermalism, but it must be connected with the development of the services. It is important to offer services for all members of the families, as going to the spa can be a family activity, and new services can also attract new customers.
- The prevention effect of thermalism should get a bigger part in the services (concrete services depend on the quality of the thermal water).
Cooperation of partners (city, spa, companies and non-profits – like clusters) can lead to better results. (as the renewal of the area of the Big Forest)
- For a complex result, complex projects are needed. If you develop spa services, and you expect more visitors for longer times, you have to develop the hotel facilities and the tourist attractions of the neighborhood, too.
- The complexity of these projects made it possible to increase the number of visitors and to have a developed service package at both locations.