Zorica Capar, the director of the Special Hospital for Medical Rehabilitation in Stubičke Toplice, highlighted the significance of major investments planned for the hospital at the recently held Zagorje Economic Fair on September 12, 2024. Capar shared her vision for the development of health tourism in the Krapina-Zagorje County during the event.
Since 2015, when she started as the sales and marketing manager, Zorica has gone through various stages of development, including leading the department for health tourism. In 2023, she took on the role of director for a four-year term, during which she will focus on key projects.
The hospital is currently undergoing an investment cycle, which began with the preparation of project and technical documentation back in 2019. As part of this cycle, an outdoor pool, primarily intended for the rehabilitation of patients referred from other clinical hospitals or by general practitioners, was opened in May 2021. This pool is also open to visitors from the Municipality of Stubičke Toplice, Krapina-Zagorje County, and all interested guests.
The project has been granted €16,452,978 through the call “Regional Diversification and Specialization of Croatian Tourism through Investments in the Development of High-Value-Added Tourism Products.” The total value of the project is €17,638,648, with the remaining €1,185,670 to be provided by the Special Hospital and the County as its founder, without whose support the project would not be possible.
Hospital Expansion and Facilities
As part of the investment, the existing outdoor pool will be covered to allow it to function for medical rehabilitation year-round, offering patients additional value. The hospital will also introduce state-of-the-art underwater rehabilitation equipment, including treadmills, bicycles, and trampoline platforms, further enriching the rehabilitation programs.
“By covering the pool, we will also gain additional wellness facilities with accompanying changing rooms, connected by an entrance and heated passage to the existing hospital facilities. The sides of the covered pool will be able to open, allowing swimmers to feel connected to the beautiful surrounding nature during the summer. The hotel will feature a medical room, a physical therapy room, a restaurant with seating for 100 people, outdoor and indoor terraces, and rooftop terraces with solar panels and a café with a sunbathing area, offering a complete service. We will, of course, also have a multifunctional conference room,” said Director Capar, expressing her confidence that locals will recognize the value that a five-star hotel brings in terms of employment and support for local family farms (OPGs), given the hospital’s focus on community-oriented economics. The hotel’s services will also be available to hospital patients who want to pay for superior or more comfortable accommodation, as well as to tourists and all citizens.
The hospital currently has a capacity of 267 beds, of which 170 are contracted with the Croatian Health Insurance Fund, while the remaining 97 beds, or 35% of the accommodation capacity, are available on the market. In the near future, the hospital plans to expand its accommodation facilities to meet the increasing demand for group visits.
Health Tourism as a Priority
Hospital director Zorica Capar emphasizes that the goal is to position Krapina-Zagorje County as one of the leading health tourism destinations in Croatia and Europe. Investing in the county is seen as key to attracting more visitors and investors, especially due to the rich cultural and historical heritage that enhances the region’s attractiveness.
The “Invest in Zagorje” platform is highlighted as an ideal opportunity for additional investments that will attract high-quality investors and contribute to the development of the county. Given its proximity to the capital, from which Krapina-Zagorje County is only 40 km away, the county is positioning itself as a strategic destination for quality investments and economic development.
This ambitious vision, supported by local government and investors, will undoubtedly contribute to the further development not only of the hospital but also of the entire Krapina-Zagorje County.
