C5: INNOVATIVE HEALTH SPA PROGRAMME
Application summary:
Our spa is based on the holistic philosophy, which believes that a healthy lifestyle requires a balance between the mind, soul, and body. This concept is further supported by innovative Healthness and alternative holistic programmes. Our concept is a tapestry of authentic local elements and aspects of anthroposophic philosophy created by Dr. Rudolf Steiner, all tied together by our Healthness philosophy, which promotes living a high-quality life that balances health and pleasure.
1. Project Description:
Terme Sveti Martin is a one-of-a-kind destination in northern Croatia, which throughout the years evolved into the first Healthness resort in Europe, a perfect place to rejuvenate and relax, and take care of one’s own health, with first-class local, organic, and homemade gastronomy in the middle untouched nature. Our desire to change the guest’s mindset and bad habits, continuously makes us invent new programmes which help our visitors become healthier as they leave our resort. Merging the anthroposophic elements of Dr. Rudolf Steiner (ego, hearing, warmth, sight, taste, smell, balance, movement, touch, life, thought, and speech) into an eternal loop we laid down the cornerstones of our Healthness concept thus establishing the foundations for our unique holistic programmes in order to bring back the balance of the body, mind, and spirit
Our innovative holistic Healthness programme consists of accommodation in our Healthness rooms, individual counseling and Body Vitality Scan according to which we further propose unique services to our guests which benefit their health, like phytotherapy with local plants and herbs, as well as cannabinoid therapy, sleeping schedules, nutritional plan, advice on stress reduction and specially created and individual massages as well as other wellness treatments.
2. Originality:
The concept of the resort, thus the programme itself is based on the holistic philosophy introduced by Dr. Rudolf Steiner, the founder of anthroposophy, a science that presents the harmony of mind and body as the main source of health and happiness, making it unique and one of a kind in Europe.
The Healthness concept and programme which it presents is the result of our own knowledge. The apparatus with which it is performed may be known to the world, but the reading of the results as well as their analysis, the counseling, and a combination of therapies planned by the Healthness manager, including high-frequency therapies, phytotherapy, local and healthy gastronomy, as well as alternative workshops are unique and can be experienced only in our resort. The services included in the programme are supported by traditional medicine (like blood tests and ultrasonography) which confirm there are no deviations when it comes to the analysis done in our Healthness center. The programme itself is intended for preventive and curative purposes. The most important aspect of the programme is the methodology for measuring success when it comes to monitoring the aftermath of the entire programme, provided that the guest adheres to everything prescribed. This makes the results of the programme visible and measurable.
According to their past health issues and states as well as their wishes, we design personalized programmes and guide our guests to become healthier. To achieve that, we use some of our unique services and products, like the Body Vitality Scan, our beneficial thermal water, the first-class local, organic and homemade food offer, supplied by local family farms, a one-of-a-kind biodynamic garden, additional mind, and body programmes providing a new experience with exclusive products and treatments, the CannaBio Holistic Center which offers an unconventional but effective supportive treatment, special Healthness rooms, the organic and natural cosmetics line, as well as alternative and innovative workshops for everyone.
Our programme is completely tailor-made for every individual guest as they are the sole focus of our business. Our desire is to offer a unique experience as well as to change the perspective of our guests and give them the encouragement to change their lifestyle, take care of their physical as well as mental well-being and learn new healthy habits. As an authentic Spa Resort in Croatia, we strive to be different on every level, offering guests unique services which are combined together into programmes fitted to their needs and wishes, which can’t be seen in other resorts of this type in Europe.
3. Impact and benefits
Yes. Ever since we introduced the Healthness philosophy, strategy, and concept to our business, we have noticed a significant increase in our revenue as well as a change in the guest categories. The guests who visit us are people looking for a specific retreat – a place where they can relax, eat quality local food, be surrounded by the freshness of nature, stay far away from the crowded and hurried cities, and most importantly where they can be motivated to change their lifestyle habits.
In the 10 years since the change of our own mindset, we have become the pioneers of one-of-a-kind hospitality offer available only in our resort. Before our changes, we were just a regular spa with a classic offer a person can get almost on every step. As mentioned before, our story began a hundred years ago when an international company searched these areas in hopes of finding oil. Unfortunately for them but lucky for us they discovered the thermal mineral water which quickly became quite popular amongst the local residents. Throughout the years, the place grew from a few bathtubs to a classic complex with pools and apartments. An intense period of business and tourism development included the mission and vision of creating a unique resort with a Wellness & Sports center with a hotel oriented towards a very specific Healthness strategy, a golf course, and a sports hall.
Terme Sveti Martin used the natural attributes of the surroundings, quality service, and the kindness of the local people who became the ambassadors of the resort, to turn it into a leader in continental tourism. The completion of the hotel, sports hall, and golf course represented the largest project to date in continental tourism with an investment of over 300 million HRK and more than 150 employees, as well as one of the largest green-field investments in Croatia.
During the last 10 years as we have said before, the resort was increasingly focused on the development of products and services that are closely linked to healthy living, therefore it was very important to crystallize and modernize its own visual identity. In accordance with the philosophy of Dr. Rudolf Steiner, whose elements were merged into a dynamic loop, the resort laid the foundations of the Healthness philosophy, which intertwines active vacation, wellness relaxation, and healthy gastronomy to maintain the balance of the body, mind, and spirit. By redefining our resort from a classical spa and aqua park into a Healthness Resort with a clear vision, everything that we do is connected with our strategy.
We now assure a better quality of service for our current guests, we also attract new guests that like the idea of a Healthy Vacation in a resort where everything is about healthy living, the harmony of the soul and the body and acting responsible towards animals and nature. In 2021, Terme Sveti Martin has become a recognizable brand that guarantees the quality of service and guest satisfaction as the “First Healthness Resort in Europe”.
4. Sustainability
Terme Sveti Martin is the first hotel of this type in Croatia to receive the EU Ecolabel based on its efforts to reduce environmental impact and with the help of company CROTEH (Centre for the Development of Sustainable Technologies), a development and design company in the field of design, engineering and technology development for the processing and energetic exploitation of biodegradable materials and waste as well as municipal and industrial water, with whom Terme Sveti Martin completed the certification. Established in 1992 and recognized both in Europe and throughout the world, the EU Ecolabel is a mark of excellence in environmental protection awarded to products, services, and companies that meet high environmental standards. This label indicates that the company creates less waste and is sensitive to environmental protection.
EU Ecolabel is a project that Terme Sveti Martin has been working on for several years. The documentation itself was prepared and finalized over a period of two years, but the foundations for applying for this project were established much earlier. In order to receive this label, the hotel had to meet a number of standards and criteria that are key to preserving the environment and green business, and Terme Sveti Martin has been encouraging and establishing a such business for many years.
The preparation of the documentation for this project involved almost all departments important to hotel management. From the maintenance department, F&B, all the way to the reception staff. Each of around 200 employees contributed in some way to this project which is crucial for its daily implementation. As a hotel that directed its path towards a new business strategy and acquired various certificates several years ago, as well as adopted certain standards in order to turn its business into a “green” one, receiving the EU Ecolabel is a recognition that places Terme Sveti Martin once again among the initiators and innovators in tourism.
Terme Sveti Martin is the first hotel of this type in Croatia to receive the EU Ecolabel based on its efforts to reduce environmental impact and with the help of company CROTEH (Centre for the Development of Sustainable Technologies), a development and design company in the field of design, engineering and technology development for the processing and energetic exploitation of biodegradable materials and waste as well as municipal and industrial water, with whom Terme Sveti Martin completed the certification. Established in 1992 and recognized both in Europe and throughout the world, the EU Ecolabel is a mark of excellence in environmental protection awarded to products, services, and companies that meet high environmental standards. This label indicates that the company creates less waste and is sensitive to environmental protection.
EU Ecolabel is a project that Terme Sveti Martin has been working on for several years. The documentation itself was prepared and finalized over a period of two years, but the foundations for applying for this project were established much earlier. In order to receive this label, the hotel had to meet a number of standards and criteria that are key to preserving the environment and green business, and Terme Sveti Martin has been encouraging and establishing a such business for many years.
The preparation of the documentation for this project involved almost all departments important to hotel management. From the maintenance department, F&B, all the way to the reception staff. Each of around 200 employees contributed in some way to this project which is crucial for its daily implementation. As a hotel that directed its path towards a new business strategy and acquired various certificates several years ago, as well as adopted certain standards in order to turn its business into a “green” one, receiving the EU Ecolabel is a recognition that places Terme Sveti Martin once again among the initiators and innovators in tourism.
Considering the great impact of the hotel industry and tourism on the environment, one of the company’s strategic goals is to reduce it to a minimum. Through regular training of staff, as well as guests, Terme Sveti Martin tries to open up everyone’s perspective on how important it is to preserve the environment.
By implementing energy efficiency projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, installing five wastewater purifiers that are located throughout the resort, selecting and sorting waste, removing dangerous chemicals such as sulfuric acid, installing a solar smart bench and charging stations for electric bicycles and cars, a green business system was created and applied in all departments of Terme Sveti Martin as well as implemented by all its employees.
Aerators have been installed in rooms to optimize water flow and thus reduce excessive water consumption. Each hotel room is equipped with sensors to optimize the consumption of energy products such as electricity. Devices for measuring the quality and hardness of water optimize the use of detergents when washing bed linen. Waste sorting bins are available to guests on every floor in strategic places, and they are also encouraged to consume food rationally in order to reduce food waste.
Single-use plastic items are no longer used in Terme Sveti Martin, so here you will not find plastic coffee spoons, single-use plastic cups, or yoghurt and other foods in plastic packaging. At the entrance to the hotel, one can already notice its dedication to green business, since in front of the hotel there is a charging station for electric cars and bicycles that are also available for rent. The parking lot itself and most of the hotel rooms are equipped with LED lighting. No pesticides are used for the maintenance of grass surfaces, gardens, and flower gardens.
In addition to its employees, the resort also puts great effort into educating its guests about the small steps they can take to protect the environment in which they live, so there are QR pricelists on the tables to reduce unnecessary printing of paper, single-use packages have been removed from the buffet as well as plastic accessories such as drinking straws, in the room, there are natural cosmetics without additives harmful to the environment and stored in recyclable packaging, and the latest novelty is a surprise gift for guests that decide they do not need daily bed linen or towel change, in order to reduce the consumption of water and washing detergents.
In order to offer something unique, in Terme Sveti Martin guests can participate in a workshop where candles are made from waste oils. As a resort with several kitchens in which oils are used daily for food preparation, its employees have figured out how to use the waste oils from their kitchens in the best way possible. They are preserved and filtered, and with the addition of soy wax and fragrant essential oils, they are turned into scented candles that can be a wonderful souvenir of the time spent in this “green spa”.
The main goals of the resort are the education of the employees, guests, and local residents, continuous investment in the energy efficiency of the company, maintenance of green areas only with natural resources, continuous reduction of non-selective waste, use of as many recyclable materials as possible, maximizing the use of locally grown ingredients in the preparation of food, increasing cooperation with local suppliers of food and beverages, and maximum involvement in the development of the local community as a tourist destination, while engaging the local community in the positive development of the resort.
For the project itself, it was extremely important to have local family farms as business partners and encourage local tourism, which Terme Sveti Martin has been doing for years, from locally produced juices from a family farm, local cheeses, eggs from family farms, all the way to own biodynamic garden. In order to reduce single-use items and include another local producer, Terme Sveti Martin started business cooperation with Kuća magične trave (House of magic herbs) from Paka, and now every guest staying in the hotel room has the opportunity to enjoy fragrant, eco-certified cosmetic products from a local producer which can be found in big dispensers as we stay away from disposable packages as much as we can.
The company’s latest environmentally sustainable investment is the purchase of a composter and baler, which significantly contributed to the efficiency of waste management in accordance with environmental regulations. Reducing the time spent on waste handling allows more time for other business activities of the staff, and baling itself leads to more productive use of storage and production space. Baled waste makes it possible to reduce the frequency of waste collection, which results in reduced transport costs and CO2 emissions, and a higher quality of waste material for recycling is achieved at the source. In addition to the baler, with the purchase of a composter and the latest technology, waste from the resort kitchens of catering facilities is turned into compost within 24 hours, reducing the volume of waste by up to 90 %. In this hygienic and odorless way, the resort recycles its own waste, which we use as compost in the garden or return it to local producers and family farms, thus completing the cycle of very important cooperation with the local community.
In addition to the new EU Ecolabel, Terme Sveti Martin is also a proud holder of other certificates such as the ISO 50001:2011 certificate (which refers to increasing energy efficiency, reducing costs, and improving energy performance), the “ZelEn” label (guarantee that the electricity that is used comes from renewable energy sources, which contributes to the reduction of CO2), Sustainable Hotel Certificate by UPUHH, Quality (ISO 9001), environmental (ISO 14001), and information security (ISO 27001) management system certificate as well as halal certificate (which guarantees that products and services intended for guests of the Islamic religion meet the requirements of the Islamic faith).
Additional supporting material:
https://espainnovationawards.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/ESPA_2022.pdf
Contact:
Toplice Sveti Martin d.o.o.
info@termesvetimartin.com
+38540371111
Izvorska 3, Sveti Martin na Muri, 40313, Croatia
www.termesvetimartin.com