Dr. Mark Boekstein
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| Position: | Lecturer |
| Department: | Geography,Environmental Studies & Tourism |
| Faculty: | Faculty of Arts |
| Qualifications: | B.A. (Hons)(UNISA), MA (UWC), DTech. (CPUT) |
| My publications in this repository | |
| More about me: | here, and here |
| Tel: | +27 21 959-2329 |
| Fax: | +27 21 959-3422 |
| Email: | mboekstein@uwc.ac.za |
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Browsing by Subject "Thermal springs"
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Item From illness to wellness-has thermal spring health tourism reached a new turning point?(University of the Western Cape, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, 2014) Boekstein, MarkThermal spring health resorts around the world are repositioning themselves by moving away from medical treatments, and moving towards fitness and wellness, often accompanied by an increase in facilities for recreation. It is suggested in this paper that this represents a turning point for the thermal spring health tourism product, with the focus changing from using thermal water primarily for the treatment of illnesses, to helping already healthy people become even healthier. In the light of current developments, the historical development and geographical distribution of thermal spring tourism is discussed, with new developments highlighted, particularly those involving local communities. A historical overview of thermal spring health tourism is provided, starting with the ancient Greeks and their belief in the healing powers of water, and Roman bathing culture, where a symbiotic relationship between health and recreation developed. Recent trends in thermal spring tourism in most parts of the world, including sub-Saharan Africa, are explained. It is concluded that thermal spring health tourism has indeed turned a corner, and a new kind of product has emerged, where the medicinal properties of thermal waters are now being successfully used for wellness treatments. It is recommended that developing counties create thermal spring tourism products that combine thermal water resources with location-specific healing methods and remedies, but are extended to encompass surrounding natural and cultural attractions, and where possible, involve and benefit local communities.Item Tourism, health and the changing role of thermal springs - should South Africa reposition its thermal spring tourism product?(University of the Western Cape, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, 2014) Boekstein, MarkVisiting thermal springs for medicinal purposes is one of the oldest forms of tourism in many parts of the world, including South Africa. An overview is provided of the concepts of health tourism, including medical and wellness tourism, as well as spa and thermal spring health tourism. Water-based, treatment-based and recreation-based facilities and services offered at selected international thermal spring resorts are assessed and compared to the thermal spring health tourism product in South Africa, where only three out of more than 20 thermal spring resorts offer sophisticated health treatments. It appears that, internationally, the focus of thermal spring tourism is shifting towards wellness activities, although in South Africa it has shifted further, in the direction of recreation. While the product offerings of thermal spring resorts generally contain elements of water-based, treatment-based as well as recreation-based activities, it is suggested that the main focus should be guided by the activity preferences of current markets, which in the case of South Africa are almost exclusively domestic, and South African domestic visitors have far less interest in health facilities and treatments than their counterparts in Europe, although there is a significant minority that would welcome such services. The question therefore arises as to whether thermal spring resorts in South Africa, especially those that do have health-related services, have shifted their product offerings too far in the direction of recreation, and if so, whether South Africa?s thermal spring tourism product should not be repositioned so as to capture a greater portion of the international, and domestic, health tourism markets.