Spa tourism development with an emphasis on hydrotherapic capabilities (Case Study: City of Sarein.)

One of the oldest forms of health tourism is spa tourism (the branch of health tourism) which means health by water. in ancient time people used to travel to hot or cold springs in hope of effecting cure for some illness. Even in modern times the therapeutic property of water is being used to treat various health disorders. This type of tourism activity due to such factors include the health and welfare and especially the economic benefits and job creation has been noticed by countries. Sarein in northwest of Iran also is such area having lots of potentials (especially in context of hydrothermal water) to developing Spa tourism. The aim of this study is to evaluate the capacity of Spa tourism and the developing strategies for this branch of tourism in Sarein. This city due to different climate and lots of mineral water and springs having favorable conditions to develop of health tourism.The data and information has in this article gathered by documentary and equationary methods. In this research analytical models and QSPM strategic planning techniques have been used to answer the questions and prioritize strategies. Samples determined by using Morgan table. The volume of samples is 80 including 40 tourists and arrivals and easer 40 person in local communities.The results of this research shows that advertising, developing of residential and accommodation infrastructures and services especially by corporate of private sectors, improving communication and transportation system and attracting foreign investment are such emergency strategies to developing health tourism in sarein.