ASSESSMENT OF THE OPPORTUNITIES OF MINERAL WATER RESOURSES FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT – A CASE STUDY OF SOUTH-WESTERN PLANNING REGION, BULGARIA

Abstract

The mineral water resources are the basis for the development for regions of balneology and SPA activities. The main goal of the present study is to analyze and evaluate the potential of mineral water resources and the state of balneo and SPA tourism in the South-Western Planning Region of the country. Methods of scientific analysis and synthesis of the collected information database, and geographic information systems (GIS) were applied. The obtained results demonstrate that territory of the studied area has a serious potential of mineral water resources, which in case of sustainable and effective use, would contribute significantly to the development of tourism in the region.