Spa tourism in Romania
On June 10 Romania will mark Global Wellness Day. Our country ranks among the worlds top 100 countries to host events and wellness workshops, spa therapy sessions as well as yoga, fitness, zumba, tai chi or stretching classes on this occasion
Daniel Onea, 01.06.2017, 13:50
Romania boasts many spa treatment facilities. Ioana Marian is the manager and founder of desprespa.ro, a website devoted to spa as a means of both relaxation and treatment. She says spa tourism is on the rise in Romania. Although the figures arent that high, the increase is visible from one year to the next. The affordable price and particularity of therapies seem to be just two of the reasons.
Ioana Marian: “Right now, apart from traditional therapies which you can find anywhere else in the world, such as massages, body wraps or exfoliations, here you can find very typical therapies. And I dont mean spa therapy in particular, but specific relaxation therapies. For instance, tourists can opt for honey massages, massages using small bags filled with salt of a variety of herbs. The offer is quite extensive, even in terms of Romanian relaxation spa therapy. And its a lot cheaper than elsewhere abroad. For instance, in Bucharest, a one-hour massage session can cost up to 35 euros in lavish spa establishments. In other cities its even cheaper. And were talking about massages using high-quality products given by professional therapists. By contrast, prices for massage sessions abroad start at 70 euros.
The website Ioana Marian runs is in fact the result of a personal experience: “I had a medical problem a few years back. I tried to solve it in a medical center, but after five hours on the drip I gave up. So I went to a spa center in a five-star hotel. After undergoing a hydrotherapy procedure, a sort of Jacuzzi using plant oils of my choice and a massage, I felt a lot better. I was good as new. This is when I realized that spa treatment is not all indulgence, as I used to think, but a lot more than that. Its about wellness. So I felt the need to share that with everyone.
Faced with the growing effects of urbanization and stress, people start to cling more to nature, which is why wellness destinations are very sought-after right now. Ioana Marian says that although balneotherapy and spa treatment can go hand in hand, there is an essential difference between the two.
Ioana Marian: “When we talk about balneotherapy in Romania, we usually refer to specific medical procedures, doctors and therapists, people with medical training, whose purpose is to cure ailments. Indeed, there is a tradition here to bathe in waters that are highly valued for their curative properties, but people usually do it more for treatment rather than prevention. Spa treatment is different – people go there to relax as well as for medical prevention. You can always combine balneotherapy and spa treatment, of course. For instance, for each massage type there are cases where it is advisable, and cases where that particular type of massage is advised against. Depending on your medical condition, you cant opt for just any kind of spa therapy. But as a rule, therapists and managers of spa centers dont have medical training. What they do have is psychological training. Some of these therapists have a degree in sports, for instance. Balneotherapy on the other hand is about healthcare professionals and procedures aimed at healing patients.
Bucharest, Sibiu and the Black Sea coast resorts boast many such wellness centers. Lacramioara Moroianu has been in the hospitality industry for 16 years, and now works as a spa consultant. She offered us a quick tour of a five-star spa center that combines balneotherapy with spa treatment.
Lacramioara Moroianu: “We have medical spa sessions, meaning balneotherapy sessions for rheumatic diseases, but also for relaxation, detoxification and weight loss. These are all carried out under the close scrutiny of doctors and therapists. The main reception desk is on the first floor, where we make appointments and our clients ask for information. Here you can learn everything there is to know about our therapies, massages, rituals, packages and appointments for each therapy. We hate the idea of waiting areas and we really care about relaxation, so we designed a special area for this purpose, where people can relax in-between their therapy sessions.
“One day can change your life! This is the official slogan of Global Wellness Day, an event marked in a hundred countries on June 10.
Ioana Marian, the manager and founder of desprespa.ro, told us more: “Its always celebrated on the second Saturday on June. The event has been marked for sixth years worldwide and for three in Romania. This year our spa, wellness and fitness centers have helped mark the event, which, we hope, will be nationwide. Last year a total of 14 counties marked this day. Spa, wellness and fitness centers will be offering specific sessions and workshops free of charge, focusing on such things as proper breathing, healthy diets, mindfulness and so on. We also organize yoga, tai chi or Pilates classes. Two parks in Bucharest and Timisoara will also play host to outdoor activities for parents and children, teaching children what wellness is all about.
Wellness tourism is now a thing in Romania, and it doesnt boil down to just spa tourism, Ioana Marian argues.
