Analysis of the potential of tourist spas and its reflection in the development of health tourism (based on the example of Inowrocław and Ciechocinek)

Sanitary/health tourism has nowadays become one of the most powerful branches of tourism. It is associated with certain demographic changes, as well as, the necessity of economic recovery of the areas of health resorts, which are responsive to the new trends in health tourism. The article deals with the problems of activating the role of health tourism in the context of its influence on the development of health resorts using the example of two towns: Ciechocinek and Inowrocław. The research and analyses done permitted to outline existing potential, possibilities, and the present state of exploitation. Both health resorts have significant potential, which is important for their regions, but they are still being under-utilized. However, from year to year, we can observe an increasing interest in the new forms of sanitary/health tourism in which there is better use of existing resources, both structural and functional in the village. This trend is distinct in the health resort of Ciechocinek which, at the same time, seems to be a better projected location to transform into a modern, high-class spa resort.