Spa Tourism in the Republic of North Macedonia

The health and medical tourism is defined as a sector in tourism where patients travel outside the country to meet various diagnostic or therapeutic procedures, that, for different reasons, might not be available in their homeland. Travelling abroad to realize certain diagnostic and therapeutic procedures has been done for long, however, it was during the last decade when the medical and health tourism was recognized as a separate branch of the economy with an opportunity to generate meaningful gains. The National Strategy for Tourism Development mentions medical and health tourism as a type of tourism which can generate revenues in the Macedonian economy, with an emphasis placed on the spa tourism. The number of mineral and thermal-mineral springs in the country, located in picturesque and forested areas, have always been a resort for many passersbys, but also those looking for remedy in the healing power of water. These resorts were the focal points around which healing centers, spa facilities, and sport terrains were being built aiming to attract as many visitors as possible. Spa tourism is represented with a small percentage in the overall tourist turnover in the country (www.stat.gov.mk). The largest portion of tourists is domestic. Foreigners are represented in a significantly smaller percentage, but no activities for organized spa visits in Macedonia are being taken by the tourist agencies abroad.