Europe’s largest spa complex rising in Hajdúszoboszló11 August 2008
The company Hungarospa Hajdúszoboszló Inc. was approved non-reimbursable funding of 2.25 billion HUF within the framework of the New Hungary Development Plan to develop the spa complex.
Thanks to this priority development, the Aqua Palace Spa Complex will be open all year round offering a variety of services for visitors. New jobs will be created, tourism and the economy are set to take off and enterprises will strengthen as an impact of the development.
Hungary is a popular tourist destination for many foreign visitors, it offers a huge variety of attractions and is proud of its values. Thermal waters are, nevertheless, one of the country’s most exceptional highlights, since Hungary is a medicinal water “superpower”. Taking advantage of this is the common interest and responsibility of the whole country, which is why Hungarian development strategy prioritises the development of thermal spas and baths. This theme is given special weight this year, since the Hungarian National Tourist Office proclaimed 2008 the Year of Waters. As such, the development of tourist destinations guarantees considerable benefits for the entire country.
Europe’s largest spa complex is located in Hajdúszoboszló; however, the facility has failed to take full advantage of its potential. Hungarospa Hajdúszoboszló Inc., which is almost exclusively owned by the local government of the town, submitted an application to the National Development Agency to develop the spa complex. The town will truly evolve into a “World Spa” with the help of the project earmarked an overall budget of 4.8 billion HUF.
Thanks to the investment, the spa complex will be able to offer a huge variety of high standard services all year round to holidaymakers or tourists visiting the centre for remedial purposes. The indoor Aqua Palace to be implemented within the framework of the project will be able to admit 1000 visitors at a time over an area of 15,000 sqm and a total water surface of 1600 sqm. Beyond the spa bath, children’s and family pools, a sauna block, a sundeck, as well as fitness, wellness and food and catering services will also be available for visitors. According to plans, the investment is expected to be completed by the end of 2009.
The palette of tourism attractions offered in Hajdúszoboszló will expand as a result of the project, which in turn attracts more visitors to the area and improves the region’s competitiveness. 30 new jobs will be created in the complex itself as a direct consequence of the development; however, its positive spin-off effects on other services and sectors may be substantially greater. The investment will help Hajdúszoboszló, a town evolving into a World Spa, retain its leading position as the tourism centre of the region and a top tourist destination on the national tourism market. In fact, in terms of the number of visitors, Hajdúszoboszló is second only to Budapest.
The construction of Europe’s largest spa complex has begun. Contractors deployed machinery at the site at the beginning of June; the structural transformation of the squash centre and power station is currently in progress and foundation work needed to prepare water removal at the site has also begun.
According to plans, the Aqua Palace Spa Complex is expected to be technically completed and handed over on 30 November 2009.