SIGMAR HAUKSSON - Scandinavia Spa Nature

Scandinavia – SPA Nature

Sigmar B Hauksson ICELAND

The Scandinavian (Nordic) countries are

  Denmark

  Finland

  Iceland

  Norway

  Sweden

Characteristics of these countries:

  High income

  Long, average lifespan.

  Democracy

  Free or inexpensive health-care services

  Gender equality

  High level of education (education is free for the most part).

  Beautiful and accessible nature

  Scandinavia – Sweden and Norway.

  Finland is in a unique position both historically and culturally.

  Denmark is more closely connected with mainland Europe than other Scandinavian countries.

  Iceland is the most unique – far away, island – small population, enormous natural resources.

  Norway – oil producer, one of the wealthiest countries in Europe.

  SPA culture practiced in mainland Europe does not exist in Scandinavia. In regards to Norway and Sweden, people maintain their health through physical exercise, rest and relaxation in nature – cross-country skiing, hunting & fishing, sailing, ocean bathing and residing in holiday cottages.

  Rehabilitation is free in Scandinavia, so there is no need to buy such services.

  Finland is similar, although there is a long SPA tradition connected with sauna bathing.

  Denmark is the most densely populated of the Nordic countries – it has beautiful nature, coastlines and woodlands. The Danes are regular visitors to other countries since distances are short.

  Iceland is the most unique of these countries: it is the most thinly populated country in Europe, has enormous reserves of geothermal water, and has a 1000-year-old SPA tradition of bathing in various types of thermal baths.

  Scandinavian SPAs are primarily built around proximity to nature, the sea, woodlands, wellness, relaxation and various forms of bathing. Finland and Iceland, however, have different SPA traditions.

  There are 34 SPA hotels in Sweden, and about 12 other companies providing SPA related services. Most are SPA centres by the sea that place emphasis on wellness and conference management. Quality SPA services are provided by well-educated employees.

  Focus is on relaxation, fitness training, bathing and massage.

  Denmark is somewhat different to other Scandinavian countries in that it does not have the same proximity to nature as the others. Nevertheless, Denmark has quality SPAs, most of which are operated in connection with hotels. A long rehabilitation tradition exists in Denmark, and in recent years, some of these centres have been converted into privately operated SPAs.

  Finland’s unique position is its saunas. The population of Finland is 5.3 million, and there are 3.2 million sauna baths. Finland has about 50 SPAs handling 2,174,527 overnight stays for 282,303 guests.

  The Finns utilise their SPAs better than most others in the fields of prevention and rehabilitation. It is interesting to note that over the centuries the Finns have developed various SPA treatments that are unique to them.

  Nature plays an important role in Norway. It is said that all Norwegians own as holiday cottage and boat, go skiing, fishing and hunting, or hike up mountains.

  SPAs are located in many hotels in Norway. Emphasis is placed on fitness training and wellness. Norwegian SPA tradition is built on closeness to nature, physical training and relaxation.

  Iceland’s uniqueness lies in its vast wilderness area, the largest in Europe, and huge quantities of thermal water. The population of Iceland is 330,000. About 550,000 tourists visited the country in 2010, of which approximately 330,000 visited SPAs. There are about 140 Thermal Pools, Baths and SPAs located throughout the island.

  Geothermal water plays a very important role in Iceland in regards to prevention and wellness. Schoolchildren and pensioners are admitted free to SPA centres operated by municipalities.

  About 25.5 million people live in the Scandinavian countries. These residents are in general well educated, and are interested in prevention, physical exercise and relaxation. Scandinavia, therefore, is a very exciting market that should be easy to approach.

  Traditional SPA treatments common in mid and southern Europe have not made a foothold in Scandinavia. The Scandinavian countries have developed other methods in the fields of relaxation, rehabilitation, prevention and physical fitness, which overall are based on being close to and enjoying nature. This is worth keeping in mind in this time of pollution and stress.

Native Americans called nature

“The Great Healer.”

Þakka ykkur fyrir! Thank you