Health tourism has become a real hit in Romania, especially since more and more Romanians are aware of the importance of self-care, both physically and mentally. In this context, it is not surprising that players in the tourism industry have turned their attention to spa destinations and to the development of treatment and relaxation bases.
One such place is the Lacu Sărat resort in Brăila, located only two and a half hours from Bucharest. A destination with tradition in Romania, especially in the interwar period, Lacu Sărat enjoys two essential resources for health: the sapropelic mud and the lake's hypertonic water. Conceived as an escape from everyday life, the Alma Health & Spa Retreat complex is the spa resort that aims to put Brăila back on the country's tourist map and offer the most effective Spa & wellness treatments and therapies with sapropelic mud, offering an experience premium for tourists.
Over 30.000 tourists chose Brăila as their holiday destination in the first six months of the year
Little by little, Brăila is coming back to the attention of tourists. In the first six months of 2023, the county had about 34.000 tourists, an increasing number compared to previous years. The increase is generated both by the increasing interest of Romanians towards health tourism, and by the investments that have been made in the area and that have attracted the attention of tourists.
Located a 15-minute drive from Brăila, Lacu Sărat Resort became a resort of national interest starting in 2021, and the local authorities understood its importance and started a modernization program.
Alma Health & Spa Retreat is the only premium resort in the Salt Lake area, a complex that has a private beach, fresh and salt water pools, Aquapark, a Spa center (Alma Wellness & Spa) and a health center (Alma Health Center) , event halls, bars and restaurants. Alma Retreat is addressed both to tourists who want to spend here a spa vacation for two, a vacation with the whole family or a health vacation, as well as to companies looking for a new destination for events (teambuildings, corporate parties, etc.), which offers a varied range of facilities and relaxation options.
What do tourists who come to Alma Health & Spa Retreat want?
Although it is a destination that tourists are still discovering, Alma Retreat has already defined its general audience, which is made up of people over 40 years old, with average and above average incomes, who come mainly from Bucharest, Brăila and the counties of near Brăila. They are educated people, concerned about their health and well-being, who want either to prevent certain conditions, or to solve problems at an early stage, or to treat older diseases, especially those related to rheumatism, blood circulation, skeletal system, genital system.
Also, many of the Alma Health & Spa Retreat tourists know the benefits of sapropelic mud and want to test the qualities of the mineral resources here and the modern equipment, which provides therapies at the highest standards. On the other hand, there is also an audience that comes to Alma for relaxation and beauty rituals. Among the most popular therapies and treatments are: massages, ultrasound therapies, mud baths and massages or reflexology. It is important to specify that the therapies in the treatment base are chosen by the specialist doctor, following the medical consultation.
Another advantage that Alma Retreat offers is that, unlike other spas, treatments can be done here even during the weekend. Often, during the week, young and active people do not have time to enjoy the therapies and treatments they want, so at Alma, there is availability for them every day. At Alma, these people can receive treatments whenever they want, including during the weekend.
How long do tourists stay at Alma and how much do they pay for therapies?
According to Alma Health & Spa Retreat data, tourists spend, on average, 2-3 nights of accommodation within the complex. The segment with the longest length of stay is represented by spa tourism, where the average length of stay is five nights. Romanians and foreigners especially prefer the weekend period, but during the summer, in full vacation season, the demand also increased for weekday accommodations.
As for the prices charged at the Alma Health Center spa, they are affordable, depending on the needs or problems targeted. For example, the rates for therapies start from 40 lei. Ultrasound therapy is 40 lei, facial massage or magnetotherapy is 50 lei, paraffin applications cost 70 lei, salt bath with mud costs 89 lei, head and neck massage or reflexology costs 90 lei, relaxation costs 100 lei floating therapy on the Dry Floating bed, and 105 lei the mud massage.
For tourists who want to try more treatments, there are customized packages that can be adapted to the length of their stay at Alma and their needs. Prices start from 180 lei (two therapies + access to the salt water pool), up to 500 lei (five therapies, including Emsella for feminine health, and access to the salt water pool).
The packages that include accommodation start from 744 lei per night for the Single Standard Room and include, in addition to accommodation, three spa treatments per day, on the recommendation of the balneologist, access to the salt water pool and access to the resort's wellness facilities (pool with fresh water, Jacuzzi, dry sauna, saline room).