According to the association, when expanding the possibilities of obtaining resort status, it is important to ensure that its content remains clear and the distinction between a resort, a resort area, and a place with significant tourist or recreational potential is maintained.
“It seems to me that a rather dangerous precedent is being created: instead of striving for places to meet the standards set for a resort, we are lowering them. After all, the essence is not how many resorts we will have in Lithuania. Much more important is what the name of the resort means to people. It should continue to be associated with high-quality resortology, health improvement infrastructure, and environment,” says Darius Jasaitis, president of the Lithuanian Resorts Association.
Requirements for sanatorium treatment infrastructure are decreasing
Until now, a place seeking resort status had to have at least three healthcare institutions providing medical rehabilitation and sanatorium (anti-relapse) treatment services.
According to the new regulation, at least three institutions must continue to provide medical rehabilitation services, but inpatient medical rehabilitation and sanatorium treatment services will be sufficient in only one of them.
According to the Resorts Association, this change creates conditions for concentrating the most important medical function of the resort in the hands of a single service provider.
The association states that the question arises whether a single provider of sanatorium treatment services can ensure the medical wellness service ecosystem characteristic of a resort and its long-term development.
By government decision, the requirement to have a bypass or roads directing transit freight traffic around the area has also been abolished.
According to the association, such a decision hardly aligns with the very purpose of a resort area – tranquility, clean environment, wellness, and protection of natural resources.
Calls to preserve the quality standard of the resort
Association director Kristina Citvarienė asserts that current Lithuanian resorts and resort areas have built their treatment and wellness competencies, infrastructure, and international reputation over decades, so changes in status criteria should be evaluated in the context of long-term resort policy.
“Resort status cannot become just an administrative label used for local tourism marketing. The name of the resort must be a guarantee that a person will receive high-level services,” emphasizes K. Citvarienė.
According to her, in countries considered flagships of resortology, such as Germany, Austria, Hungary, and others, resort status is valued and granted only after meeting high requirements related to natural healing factors, balneology, medical services, and a health-friendly environment, or having a clear historical resortology basis.
Ričardas Malinauskas, mayor of Druskininkai, the largest and oldest Lithuanian resort, is also convinced that Lithuania should evaluate the experience of European countries and raise the bar for resort requirements.
“If we want strong Lithuanian resorts, we must invest in their quality, not increase the number of statuses. In my opinion, the direction in Lithuania should be the opposite – the more who want to become resorts, the higher the requirements should be. Only then will the name of the resort remain valuable both in Lithuania and in foreign markets,” says R. Malinauskas.
Funding issue – unresolved
The association also draws attention to funding. It states that before expanding the range of potential resorts and resort areas, there should be a clear answer on how the state intends to finance the commitments already undertaken to implement resort policy.
“The Sustainable Development Law for Resorts and Resort Areas was adopted in 2023, but no financial basis has yet been created to implement the goals and measures provided for in it,” emphasizes K. Citvarienė.
She points out that resort status should mean not only an administrative decision for the state but also a long-term policy – resortology research, protection of natural healing resources, strengthening wellness infrastructure, and medical rehabilitation and sanatorium treatment.
“Expansion without additional measures and funding raises questions about the state’s ability to ensure its quality in the long term. The Resorts Association supports municipalities’ efforts to strengthen tourism and invest in leisure and recreation infrastructure. However, a good tourist destination is not yet a resort – this status must also be associated with medically justified wellness,” reminds the association director.
Currently, Lithuania has four resorts – Birštonas, Druskininkai, Neringa, and Palanga – and five resort areas – Anykščiai, Trakai, Zarasai, parts of the Strigailiškis and Palūšė villages in Ignalina city, and the territories of Kulautuva, Kačerginė towns, and part of Zapyškis town.
