Focus on nature-oriented, sustainable spa developments in eastern Hungary
Although one of the biggest victim of COVID-19 is the tourism sector, including among others spas and health resorts, those committed to the profession are looking to the future and focus on their future developments. Thus, the discussion of the first preparatory online round table discussion of the Eastern Hungary Green Spa Network on March 9, organized by the Hajdú-Bihar County Government and the BORA 94 Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County Development Agency, was of great interest. The aim of the network to be established within the framework of the HealingPlaces project - funded by Interreg Central Europe and supported by the Hungarian State - is to focus on the nature-centered, sustainable development of Hungarian spas and health resorts. Participants are committed to having ecologically responsible spas in the area, so they will look for and, where possible, apply a variety of green solutions for water treatment, disinfection and abstraction, as well as building energy or health and events.
The meeting included Ádám Ruszinkó (President of the Hungarian Health Tourism Marketing Association), Zoltán Pajna (President of the Hajdú-Bihar County Assembly), András Lenártek (head of BORA 94 Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County Development Agency), László Papp (Mayor of Debrecen City), Aros János (Mayor of Sárospatak City), Csendesné Edit Farkas (Mayor of Bogács), Lajos Kircsi(CEO of Hungarospa), Lajos Fazekas (Managing Director of Aquaticum Debrecen), Prof. Dr. Peter Szűcs (University of Miskolc, Faculty of Earth Science and Enineering,Institute of Environmental Management, Head of the Department of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology), Dr. István Grigorszky and Dr. Alex Sándor (University of Debrecen, Faculty of Science and Technology, Institute of Biology and Ecology, Head of Department of Hydrobiology and assosiate professor).
Ádám Ruszinkó emphasized that for several years they have been paying attention to the widest possible dissemination of the green approach (eg recycling of thermal water, utilization of solar energy, selective waste collection), so he is very pleased to be invited to participate in the network.
László Papp can also fully identify with the initiative. He emphasized that ongoing and forthcoming developments (eg Aquaticum spa development) would take into and already took into account and apply energy-efficient and environmentally conscious solutions (eg green walls in the main building of the beach).
János Aros the mayor of the City of Sárospatak, who recently received the medicinal water qualification, also expressed his support. He indicated that they want to use last year’s profits from the spa to achieve sustainable goals.
The operation of the network from the research and technology side is supported by, among others, the University of Debrecen, Faculty of Science and Technology, Institute of Biology and Ecology, Department of Hydrobiology and by the University of Miskolc, Faculty of Earth Science and Enineering,Institute of Environmental Management, Department of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology.
The Network's Memorandum of Understanding will be completed shortly, which members will wish to sign in a ceremonial setting. In the meantime, work has already begun, with members presenting their sustainable green developments and look into the good practices from Healing Places' international partners. A strategy and concept for sustainable spa development is also being prepared, as well as an international handbook.
