WHY ITALY
Italy is among the top 5 most visited destinations in the world, with over 67 million foreign arrivals per year, and ranks as the first country in the world for the number of UNESCO sites, currently boasting 55 (source: Ministry of Culture, beniculturali.it).
Italy is known for its art cities and historic villages, where you can still see the remains of Roman, medieval and Renaissance architecture, a fascinating combination that has always attracted visitors.
Italy boasts a rich historical and artistic heritage, with almost 5,000 museums, ecomuseums, archaeological sites and monuments (source: The European House - Ambrosetti based on UNESCO and ISTAT data, 2021).
A brand its own right – Made in Italy – renowned for its quality and style in industrial production, craftsmanship and manufacturing. Italy boasts an invaluable quality of raw materials for food and wine production: with 305 PGI and PDO products, 525 IGT, DOC and DOCG wines and 4,700 regional specialities, Italy is a leader in the food and wine tourism sector.
The quality of the products and raw materials of the food and wine industry attracts 14% of foreign tourists each year (source: The European House - Ambrosetti, ‘The Roadmap of the Future for Food & Beverage: Changes and Challenges for the Years to Come’, 2021), ISNART - Italian institute for tourism research, Unioncamere - the Italian Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Crafts and Agriculture, and University of Bergamo, 2021).
HEALTH FIGURES IN ITALY
In terms of clinical specialities, the Italian healthcare system is among the top 10 in the world and the Italian population enjoys excellent health. It is one of the countries with the highest life expectancy at birth, overall well-being and longevity, with a Health Index Score of 91.59, placing it among the first in the world (Bloomberg).
With its Scientific Institutes for Research, Hospitalisation and Healthcare (IRCCS), which specialise in the therapeutic fields of cardiology, dermatology, diagnostic imaging, pharmacology, gastroenterology, genetics, geriatrics, infectious diseases, complex medicine, neurology, neurorehabilitation, ophthalmology, oncology, orthopaedics, paediatrics, psychiatry and rehabilitation (source: Italian Ministry of Health, IRCCS list) and many internationally accredited facilities, Italy is one of the leading industrialised countries in the world in terms of scientific protocols and equipment.
Ensuring the highest standards of quality in the provision of healthcare, surgery and rehabilitation services.
SPA RESORTS IN ITALY
Italian thermal baths have very ancient origins. In fact, this concept dates back to Roman and Etruscan times. Thermal medicine uses mineral waters (mud baths, baths, inhalations and hydropinotherapy) to prevent and treat a wide range of diseases (respiratory, arthropathy, rheumatic, gastroenterological, ENT, cardiovascular, gynaecological and dermatological diseases) and for rehabilitation purposes.
Looking at the numbers, most Italian spa establishments treat respiratory (67%), rheumatic (64%), ENT (62%) and dermatological (42%) conditions (source: The European House - Ambrosetti based on Global Burden of Disease data, 2021). There are more than 300 spas in Italy, located in approximately 180 spa towns, which collectively welcome 3.9 million visitors annually. These areas are typically situated in natural environments rich in biodiversity, with tourist attractions that also offer the opportunity to experience local culture and traditions.
Each of Italy’s spa towns is renowned for the uniqueness of its thermal waters. Each of them has its own history and age-old uniqueness, with an extraordinary variety of characters, tastes and smells. The health benefits of Italian thermal waters have been scientifically validated by the Italian Ministry of Health, which carries out chemical and physical analyses of these waters in order to scientifically classify and subsequently certify their therapeutic properties.
With its excellent health and wellness facilities and a general approach to well-being that combines nature and culture, proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle, Italy is an ideal destination for a holiday that incorporates health and wellness treatments and therapies, offering a highly rewarding experience.
