The Impact of the Thermal Project on the Thermal Spa Culture of Southern Transdanubia

Abstract

The purpose of the study. To present what concepts existed for the utilization of the thermal resources of the Southern Transdanubian region, both at the national and county level. Next, examine the impact of the international Thermal Project, which started in the 1970s, on the spa culture of the region, primarily on the spa culture. Applied methods. Primarily a literature review in the field of economic policy and spa history. I examined the literature on socialist economic policy and incorporated the results of my research into the information found there. The literature research was followed by the study of contemporary press and legislation. At the end of the systematic investigation, useful information was provided with relevant press reports and adequate source criticism. An important part of the research was archival research, in which national and county-level party documents and council documents were processed. Outcomes. As a result of the party decree of 1957 and the ministerial decree of 1960, the pace of hydrocarbon research increased at the same time, as a result of which thermal wells were discovered one after the other, and the demand for the development of tourism appeared at the same time. Together, this resulted in the development of spa culture based on thermal wells being put on the agenda at the local, county and national levels. Starting in the 1960s, concepts appeared one after another for the use of thermal water for tourism purposes, to boost tourism and increase the country's foreign exchange earnings. The national water management framework plan was created, and county plans were created for the development of spas. By the 1970s, taking advantage of the milder political climate, the primary goal became the utilization of the country's thermal resources, and it initiated cooperation with the UN under the name Thermal Project. A joint management planning group was created, in which Hungarian and international specialists and numerous institutions of the country participated. After a lot of preparation and the creation of a schedule, the project died after the implementation of the first