Good Practices of an Underground Health Spa Operation - The Case of the “Wieliczka” Salt Mine

Abstract

Spa tourism is an important and specific form of health tourism. It is a part of the tourist market, which was extracted because of the motivation for tourism practicing. Spa tourists come to spas for therapeutic purposes and remain under medical spa supervision. Generally speaking, the spa tourism involves travelling for health and medicinal purposes. In the paper, the authors discuss the health tourism built on the specific therapeutic qualities of the “Wieliczka” Salt Mine near Krakow. The spa operates underground, in the former salt mine. Apart from discussing the best spa practices involving medicinal qualities of underground microclimate (Subterranoteraphy), some unconventional projects associated with this activity are mentioned, including construction of saline graduation tower. The Salt Mine has also a rich and diverse offer tailored to health resort visitors’ needs (packaged spa and medical services) as well as to regular tourists (underground tours in the salt mine, miners’ route, etc.), schools and enterprises (organisation of cultural events, support for school, commercial and private events). The offer promotes the “Wieliczka” Salt Mine as an important tourist and spa destination for visitors from Poland, Europe and the whole world.