ABSTRACT
The large-scale development and popularity of spa resorts was a remarkable feature of the 20th century in Russia. Yet, in the 1990s this sphere was practically ignored by the market reforms. Neither the new Law on Resort Destinations, nor the hectic adjustments introduced were adequate to reconsider the spas ’ mission and operations in a new systems approach and to reroute health resorts ’ development into the appropriate health tourism industry. Domestic tourism was in a crisis in the 1990s, and the most notable decay was in the sphere of health resorts, though recreation at spas used to be the most popular purpose and motivation for travel until 1980 in Russia. Unfortunately, a lack of economic indices, social policies, political priorities and conceptual approaches have been a hindrance to health and wellness tourism development in the past. This case study outlines some of these issues further.
