The Beginnings of Organized Development of Health Tourism in the Princely County of Gorizia and Gradisca

Abstract

The article aims to analyse the development of health tourism in the Princely County of Gorizia and Gradisca from to the second half of the 19th century to the beginning of the Great War, i.e. in the period when the county began to experience an increased investment in tourism. It highlights the period when the county saw the development of as many as three different locations (Gorizia, Grado, and Monfalcone) in the context of a general trend of improving one’s health and/or therapy through “new” practices; their beginnings were based on the natural assets of each respective local environment. In terms of historical research in the realm of tourism the aforementioned towns, barring Grado, have been less researched than Opatija or Portorož. The article analyses and illuminates the success of the aforementioned tourist resorts but also addresses several developmental difficulties. The analysis indicated that Grado was the most successful tourist destination in the county.