Issue topic
HEALTH TOURISM: Interview - Marcel Medak
MARCEL MEDAK, president of the Health Tourism Association at the Croatian Chamber of Economy (CCE) and Managing Director of the Daruvar Spa Special Hospital for Medical Rehabilitation, spoke to us about the great potential of health tourism in Croatia, the preconditions for its stronger development, and the advantages Croatia has in comparison to other countries.
CROATIAN CHAMBER OF ECONOMY
DARUVARSKE TOPLICE
I see health tourism as the solution for a longer season Conducted by: Željka Kunťtek
High-quality health care services, world-class medical staff, competitive prices, great facilities, a mild climate in the coastal region, and the vicinity and easy access are Croatia's great advantages.
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lot is said about, but a lot is also expected from, health tourism in Croatia. It has been singled out, according the Croatian Tourism Development Strategy until 2020, as one of the key Croatian products in tourism, and its role is incredibly important for the prolongation of the season. How developed is it in Croatia? Health tourism has been declared recognized in Croatia, but in order for it to be seriously developed, we must solve legal regulations. The Health Care Act, which contained everything necessary for the stronger development of that form of tourism, was already part of public discussion,
tipTravelMagazine November 2016 - February 2017
but it still hasn't seen the light of day. The new Croatian government now has the task of integrating health tourism as a part of that law in that health tourism enables the offering of tourism services and conducting that branch of the profession that truly has great potential, and is growing by 15 to 20 percent annually worldwide. With changes in administrative regulations, the better functioning of special hospitals and spas, registering for the tourism business, as well as registering hotels for conducting health services would be enabled. That would, in turn, prolong the tourism season to the entire year and enable the better use of the capacity