Greece’s hot springs – a medicinal resource in the country since its antiquity – remain a largely untapped tourism resource in the country, according to secretary general of the Union of Greek Spa Towns (UGST), Markos Danas.

Greece today can boast 850 hot springs with known curative properties, but just 100 of those are easily accessible and even fewer are operated under commercial license. Many are still free to the public, out in the countryside and with minimal supporting facilities, even on popular tourist islands such as Milos and Kos.

"We have an exceptional product but it is poorly used," said Danas speaking to the IBTimes. "Hot springs are mostly run by local communities, and this has limited the scope of development."

Following the collapse of the Greek economy, UGST reports a 50 per cent drop in paying customers at thermal spas since 2009 and spa towns will now be hoping that the country, which has identified spa tourism as one of its key markets, can generate interest in Greece’s hot springs.

Some of the advantages to thermal spa tourism is that it can be developed all-year round, prolonging the tourism season and it is much less affected in general by adverse economic problems. The fact that geographically, most thermal springs in Greece are found close by to large cities, or in popular tourist areas means their development and commercialisation could also boost visitor numbers.

Last year, Greece's state privatisation agency also offered four hot springs in central Greece, including Thermopylae, for sale to private developers but there were no takers. That could change however, after a new EU directive has authorised reimbursing citizens taking hot baths in other EU member states, something that UGST and the Greek government will hope drums up interest in Greece’s thermal spa sector.