Natural hot and mineral springs are of paramount importance for the ecotourism's development. The visitor base of destinations with hot and mineral springs is on a constant rise. Recent literature discusses health and wellness tourism revealing a significant contribution of natural hot and mineral springs to health. The hot springs have a history of usage and cultural background attached to them. The hot spring destinations solve medicinal and recreational purposes simultaneously.To assess the role of natural hot and mineral springs in health, wellness, and recreational tourism a research was undertaken. Enquiries were made from public, visitors and tour guides were interviewed.
The findings of the research confirm the fact that natural hot and mineral spring destinations contribute a lot to the wellness, health, and recreational tourism. Many countries are graced with beautiful hot and mineral springs.Another fact that gives these springs an edge is their seasonal independence. This means they attract visitors all year round. Everybody is aware of the therapeutic value these springs endows us with. For example, some European countries have integrated medical treatment based on natural hot and mineral springs into the medical profession that endorsed by clinical studies and success rates. Similarly, government policies and regulations of Japan, Germany, and Taiwan support strongly the importance of natural hot springs in the health wellness and recreational tourism.The tourism Industry acknowledges hot and mineral spring destinations as a unique resource and they often market these destinations in combination with other local attractions.
Apart from providing a resource for health and wellness tourism, they generate demand for the recreational aspects of nature - based tourism.The research findings further reveal that natural hot and mineral springs have been in use since time immemorial globally. Many spa towns have a hundreds and thousands year history to them. Many of them have redeveloped and upgraded their thermal facilities for use today like Aachen in Germany; Kusatsu in Japan; Bath in the UK; Rotorua in New Zealand; Beitou in Taiwan.Another point that adds significance to these springs is their popularity among all age groups, genders, and cultural backgrounds. Countries like Japan, New Zealand, and Iceland are the ones where one can easily access natural hot springs and use them on a regular basis.
