The Czech Republic is being injected with a package worth CZK 1bn (€38.3mn, £34.5mn, US$45.3) to help stimulate its historic health tourism industry, following the impacts of COVID-19.

The country is home to some of the oldest spas in Europe and its government is offering to pay up to CZK4,000 (€153, £138, US$181) per person for adults visiting from the EU, EEA and the UK, for a self-payed ‘curative, preventative’ stay.

Available at nearly 100 spas, the vouchers are eligible for guests staying at least six nights with five medical rehabilitation procedures treatments, such as a natural carbonic bath followed by a wrap, a massage or a bathing ritual in natural mineral waters.

The state-sponsored vouchers will be available at wellness centres providing spa treatments and rehabilitation care – specifically facilities that have access to natural healing resources and have professional medical staff associated with the Czech Ministry of Health.

In addition to a storied spa history and the discount, Czech spas have the added appeal of offering guests access to full spa facilities, including saunas and steamrooms. Due to COVID-19 numerous governments around the world are still undecided about reopening these facilites.

Many of the Czech spas included in the scheme are located within the West Bohemian Spa Triangle, home to the world’s highest concentration of curative water springs.

For centuries these springs have been claimed to help cure and ease ailments and Czech spas are already busy developing treatment programmes for those recovering from COVID-19.

The scheme will finish on 31 December 2020 and requires online application to receview the voucher.

For further information on how to claim a discount, as well as the full list of participating spas, follow this link.