Friday 24 May 2013

Luhačovice, Czech Republic

Last week’s meeting in Luhacovice, Czech Republic was a great success, with both very productive meetings and a chance for the team members to catch up on important issues during this face-to-face time.
In addition to the meetings, the group was able to enjoy different aspects of the local culture, including the cuisine, the architecture and especially the spa, which makes Luhacovice and its surroundings one of the most important health and well-being destinations in the country.  
Architecture of Dušan Jurkovič

Dr. Stastny spring
The term „spa“ in the Czech Republic can be very different from how it is understood in some other countries. In Luhacovice, for example, the mineral springs are the main natural resource that give this town its official status as a „spa town.“  Though the water is used for various procedures, there are no public spa houses where people go to bathe collectively in the water.  Instead, the springs are found flowing from special fountains and also in gazebos and colonades built to protect them and to allow visitors to sip the water while walking the trails in surrounding parks and forests.


Telle testing the waters of Luhačovice
The heavy mineral content of the water (6-8° C) can give it a very unpleasant taste! However, one should keep in mind that it is drunk not for the flavor, but for the health benefits! The water here, which should taken on an empty stomach and in very small amounts,  is known to have a positive effect especially on respiratory problems and digestive problems, but many other ailments are also treated with the mineral spring water . Each of the 17 springs has a different mineral content and depending on a spa patient‘s condition, spa doctors prescribe a particular spring, how much should be drunk and when.  




Sunday 19 May 2013


On the 27th April, 2013 the college held an applicant day for prospective students where the new Spa Management Programme was showcased.  The programme includes a module on The Spa Concept incorporating elements of both Spa and Medical Tourism.

Tuesday 14 May 2013

Management of Destinations


Paul Bamber, Expert in Destination Marketing from University College Birmingham presents models of destination competitiveness.



Monday 13 May 2013

Presentation of East-Moravia

Mr. Zdenek Urbanovsky (Consultant of Tourist Authority) just presented the highlights of the region Eastern Moravia. Find more information here.

2nd WelDest Meeting in Lazne Luhacovice


After a warm welcome from our project member Donna Dvorak we startet the second meeting. At the moment we are dealing with tasks of Dissemination activities.

Great intercultural discussions!














Project leader Susanna Saari is opening the meeting and we are discussing Project Management issues.










Thursday 2 May 2013

IHM today welcomed Dr. Ludmila Vacek, PhD for a workshop on Health and Well-being.  Dr. Vacek, an expert in spas and wellness, owns and operates a consulting company - Global Spa Concepts Inc., and also works in partnership with the Canadian Tourism College in Vancouver.

Students of the bachelor's program in Leisure Time
Management,  along with Dr. Vacek,  Dana Soukupová,
Věra Fišerová and Donna Dvorak
Věra Fišerová and Donna Dvorak, along with associate partner Dana Soukupová from Centrum Babylon, met with Dr. Vacek to discuss issues related to the current state of health and well-being in the Czech Republic as well as in Europe and America.  Students in the Leisure Time Management program also participated in the workshop.

Dr. Vacek emphasized the need for developing educational programs related to health and well-being, and as a delegate to the Global Spa & Wellness Summit and a member of their educational committee, Dr. Vacek is very interested in working together with the WelDest team to make progress in this area.
Look for information about WelDest an upcoming Global Spa & Wellness Summit newsletter!

IHM is very excited about working with Dr. Vacek and looking forward to future cooperation with her!