Naftalan completes 2 million euro investment: new accommodation and wellness facilities in Ivanić-Grad

Naftalan Special Hospital in Ivanić-Grad, completed a project worth 2,05 million euros, which expanded accommodation capacities, modernized the wellness part of the hospital, and introduced new digital and energy infrastructure.

This is the project "Improvement of accommodation capacities and infrastructure of the Naftalan Special Hospital in the function of developing health and wellness tourism", with a total value of 2.047.815,58 euros. The project is co-financed by the European Union from the NextGenerationEU instrument through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan 2021 - 2026. 1.577.122,08 euros in grants have been allocated for its implementation, while the Zagreb County, as a partner, has provided 524.262,71 euros.

The most visible part of the investment relates to the arrangement of ten new accommodation units with a total of 20 tourist beds on the fifth floor of the hospitalAt the same time, they were modernized wellness areas, which now include three types of saunas, and the project also included a new website and reservation system, a virtual walk, a new visual identity and investments in renewable energy sources and energy efficiency. In this way, Naftalan further expands its role beyond the classical healthcare system towards the health, spa and wellness tourism market, especially through the possibility of longer stays for users and the creation of a tourism product that is not tied to the main season.

State Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Sports Monika Udovicic She pointed out that Naftalan is one of the projects through which investments are made in strengthening health tourism in Croatia.

"Naftalan is one of 15 investment projects in health tourism, ten of which are being implemented in continental Croatia. Such facilities attract guests throughout the year, stimulate employment and create additional demand for local accommodation and other services., said Udovicic.

The ability to create year-round demand is one of the most important elements of such projects. For continental destinations, health and wellness tourism is not just additional tourist content, but potentially one of the products around which a more stable reason for coming can be built beyond classic weekend and seasonal travel patterns.

"Health tourism is not measured by the number of therapies, but by the number of overnight stays. Naftalan is a natural health resort with an offer that no one else has, but without accommodation and facilities, this value does not turn into a destination. The new capacities are changing exactly that. The guest no longer comes for a service and leaves, but stays, goes out into the space around him and with his consumption drives local producers, caterers and family farms. This is also the reason why we have set health tourism as one of the carriers of the year-round offer of the Zagreb County in the Destination Management Plan until 2028. It is the only product that does not know the season and that works just as well in January as in July. With this project, Ivanić-Grad stops being a place where people come for treatment and becomes a place where they stay."." she stated Ivana Alilović, director of the Zagreb County Tourist Board. 

The director of the Naftalan Special Hospital, Tea Vukošić Paher, emphasized that the new capacities should increase the health and tourism part of the institution's services. "On the fifth floor of the hospital, we have arranged ten accommodation units with a total of 20 tourist beds. In this way, we are raising the level of health and tourist services, creating conditions for a greater number of overnight stays and the development of new facilities. We have also modernized the wellness areas with three types of saunas, and investments in energy infrastructure will increase the use of renewable energy sources and the energy efficiency of the hospital., said Vukošić Paher.

Deputy Prefect of Zagreb County Ervin Kolarec He pointed out that it is important for the County, as the founder of the hospital, that the further development of the tourism segment does not change its fundamental health function. "The project, worth more than two million euros, brings concrete added value to Naftalan. As the founder, it is important to us that the hospital develops, but above all remains at the service of patients. Naftalan, with the knowledge and work of its people, transforms its unique natural wealth into a recognizable healthcare service," Kolarec said.

Naftalan is also specific due to the use of naphthalan oil for therapeutic purposes, which is why Ivanić-Grad is trying to further differentiate itself on the health tourism market.

At the final presentation of the project, the Deputy Mayor of Ivanić-Grad, Tomislav Čuvaj, also spoke about the cooperation with the Azerbaijani city of Naftalan.

"Naftalan is a unique health resort and an important part of Ivanić-Grad's offer. The visit of the delegation from the Azerbaijani city of Naftalan enabled the exchange of experiences on the use of naftalan oil, and their interest in the products developed in our institution confirms the quality and expertise of the people at the Naftalan Special Hospital."", said Chuvaj.

For Ivanić-Grad, this investment has a broader significance than just increasing hospital capacity. If the new accommodation, wellness and health facilities manage to connect with local gastronomy, accommodation, excursions and other offers of the destination, Naftalan can play a significantly greater role in the tourist positioning of the city and its surroundings.

This is precisely the broader logic of the development of health tourism: the value is not only in the medical or wellness service within the institution itself, but in its ability to become a motive for arrival and a generator of consumption in the entire destination.

Photo: SB Naftalan