European Spas

26/02/2026

The 60th Edition of ITB Berlin — and We Meet at the Medical & Health Tourism Pavilion! 💧Hall 4.1 Stand 104 3–5 March 2026
Join us in Hall 4.1 for expert discussions, networking, and a unique water tasting experience highlighting the healing effects of natural mineral waters, in cooperation with the Slovenian Spas Association and the Feel Slovenia

Programme Highlights Medical & Health Tourism Pavilion (Hall 4.1)
15:00 – 15:30 Expert Interview with Daniel Attard, Member of the European Parliament (Malta), Committee on Transport & Tourism
’s Path to Growth and the Transformation of Europe’s Tourism Regions

TUESDAY | 3 March 🕒 15:30 – 16:00
, Regeneration & : Beyond the Buzzwords
Key themes: regenerative medicine, preventive healthcare
Panelists:
Assoc. Prof. Dr Siyka Katsarova PhD – President, BUBSPA & European Spas Association
Marina Lalli Bertolino – Vice President Federterme; President Federturismo
Frank Halmos – CEO, Ensana Health Spa Group
THURSDAY | 5 March
🕚 11:00 – 11:30
Digitalization in Health Tourism – Education in Cooperation with the World Health Organization
Anke Andrea Sponer – International Cooperation, Deggendorf Institute of Technology
🕦 11:30 – 12:30 in Tourism – Economic Engine: Impact Today, Value Tomorrow
Iuliana Tasie – Vice President, European Spas Association; CEO Ana Hotels Europa Eforie Nord
Lina Nosevic Nosevič – Executive Director, National Association of Sanatoriums & Rehabilitation Institutions, Lietuvos Kurortų Asociacija
Martin Plachy – CEO Royal Spa CZ; Vice President, European Spas Association

ITB Medical & Health Night - Featuring the ITB Medical & Health Tourism Awards 2026, 4 March

04/02/2026

is often described as a natural resource, yet it is much more than that. It is a connector, a shared responsibility, and a foundation for cooperation.
The European Spas is entering a new partnership with the .
This collaboration reflects the long-standing heritage and practical expertise of European spa destinations, and our shared commitment to shaping the future of water excellence in Europe and beyond.
We look forward to continuing this dialogue in June at the Bled Water Forum, where water, health, and collaboration converge. See you at #'ITB Berlin 2026 in the Health Tourism Pavilion, Hall 4 – with the healing water bar!

28/01/2026

🌿 Rural tourism is central to Europe’s tourism future. 🌿Health resorts are strategic assets for rural .

European spas and health resorts support rural development, help retain medical and professionals, and operate as four-season destinations rooted in natural resources and preventive care.

As demand grows for nature-based and restorative experiences, these destinations offer a resilient, socially accepted tourism model. To maximise impact, policy must focus on connectivity, integrated health–tourism planning, and community wellbeing—not just visitor volume.

26/01/2026

Europe is celebrating its first-ever , with a for sustainable and , a meaningful step in acknowledging the vital role of tourism for our continent’s , identity, and economic resilience. Today is also a reminder of how deeply tourism is woven into Europe’s social and cultural fabric — connecting regions, strengthening communities, and shaping a shared future.
As European Spas Association (ESPA), we welcome the clear dedication shown by Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas to building a forward-looking tourism vision for Europe. The ongoing consultations for the upcoming “Tourism for Tomorrow: EU Sustainable Tourism Strategy”, including the . A new cooperation with was announced.
Tourism is ultimately about people, places, and the stories that bind them. Destination Europe continues to evolve as a space defined by quality, innovation, and sustainability — values that the European spa and health tourism sector proudly champions.

20/01/2026

Innovation Award Winner 2025 – category. Here you can book the practice oriented, Cidesco-certified course at Wellandia

Why 12 months for a course?

Because solid results take time.

In 1 year you build a real rhythm: learn → apply → get trainer feedback → strengthen what works.

You develop operational systems you will use every day, plus a real spa development plan.

Beyond the theory you study on the SpaEdu platform:

- we meet live on Zoom for case studies and interactive exercises
- you complete 15 practical projects plus a final Business Plan, with detailed trainer feedback, so you can implement correctly in your spa
- you also get 21 one-to-one sessions with the course trainers

“From every module I took something back and changed it: etiquette, menu, procedures, legislation” - Cristina Stanciu, Spa Manager

“The final projects are real-life challenges we face every month in the spa” - Ileana Maiovschi, InterContinental Athénée Palace Bucharest

“I loved the interaction with the other participants. It was a fantastic source of inspiration” - Narcisa Miercan, Spa Manager, Hotel Palace Băile Govora

Join us - and learn through the SpaEdu methodology, awarded the European Spas Association Award for Innovation in Education 2025!

See the course structure and secure the Early-bird offer - the best offer we will make:

https://wellandia.eu/en/cidesco-international-accredited-spa-management-course/

Offer ends on January 31.

16/01/2026

Warm congratulations to our newly elected and re-elected Vice-Presidents of the European Spas Association:
👏 Marina Lalli ( , Confindustria)
👏 Iuliana Tasie ( , OPTBR Turism Balnear)
👏 Martin Plachý ( , Svaz léčebných lázní České republiky)
👏 Gunnlaugur K. Jónsson ( , Heilsustofnun NLFÍ Rehabilitation and Health Clinic)

We are proud that all our Vice-Presidents are owners and CEOs of medical spas, spa hotels, and rehabilitation centres, actively operating at the highest professional level. Their daily work combines healthcare, life sciences, tourism, and sustainability, and brings real innovation into practice — not just into strategy papers.
This leadership perfectly reflects the intersectoral nature of medical spas, where health and health tourism meet prevention, rehabilitation, innovation and climate responsibility. It is a strong signal for Europe: our sector is led by practitioners who understand patients, systems and sustainability alike.
We look forward to continuing this journey together — strengthening Europe’s medical spas as a key pillar of health, wellbeing and resilience.

14/01/2026

Today at the European Economic and Social Committee Expert Hearing, we (Siyka Katsarova ) had a strong and encouraging discussion on the role of medical spas and climate health resorts in Europe’s future health policy.

Our message was clear: medical spas are not just tradition or wellness — they are evidence-based, physician-prescribed health infrastructures that support prevention, rehabilitation, mental health and quality of life, including for people living with chronic and rare diseases.

What was especially meaningful was the strong support from experts and representatives from several Member States, including , , , , and , who underlined the scientific foundations, clinical value and sustainability impact of balneotherapy and climatotherapy. There was broad agreement that Europe’s natural health resources deserve greater recognition within EU life sciences and health strategies.

The discussion confirmed that combining life sciences, digital health and nature-based therapies is not a vision for the future — it is already happening across Europe’s medical spas and climate health resorts.

Thank you to the European Economic and Social Committee and to all experts and Member State representatives for an open, constructive and forward-looking exchange. This shared support sends a strong signal: Europe’s natural health ecosystem is a strategic asset for public health, innovation and sustainability.
EU Science & Innovation European Commission

30/12/2025

🎉The show must go on — preferably well rested, pain-free, and properly recharged.

We wish you a healthy, energising and inspiring New Year!

May you find time to slow down, recover, reduce pain and recharge — whether in a medical spa, with a refreshing sea breeze, or in clean mountain air (prescription: fresh air, movement and good company).

✨ A personal greeting from our President Siyka Katsarova — sending fresh air, shining good energy, promoting sports, and wishing you happiness on your journey to 2026, with a smile.
A photo from the famous Budapest and a glimpse of the newest speedy spa Inspired by Iceland.

May 2026 bring good health, balance and strength, helping you reduce stress, restore energy and move forward with confidence — because even the best shows need good recovery breaks.

19/12/2025

“In Mud We Trust” — a slogan from our last congress in Estonia, reminding us of the power of nature, science, and trust in evidence-based natural remedies.💦

As the year comes to an end, we would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your team a very Merry Christmas 🎄 and a healthy, peaceful, and successful New Year 🎉. May the festive season bring moments of renewal and wellbeing, and may the year ahead be filled with good health, positive energy and fruitful cooperation.

13/12/2025

Inspired by
we love the new spa trend: Speedy Spa-:)) sporty way
We wish you a relaxing weekend and hope you will take time for a spa treatment to recharge. to

08/12/2025

Leadership in Action Siyka Katsarova; watch the interview with her: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J78M9rc7Ywk ✌Tomorrow marks an important milestone: our President will attend her first meeting in Brussels as advisor to the Life Science Strategy and Research.
The life sciences sector spans medicine, biotech, care infrastructure, healthy lifestyle, climate, balneology, pharmacy, food supplements, and the longevity economy.
🎯Her mission is clear: to adapt a holistic approach that integrates natural and climate-based therapies into prevention and rehabilitation. By recognising Europe’s medical spas, climate health resorts, and therapeutic environments as part of the life sciences ecosystem, we can complement biomedical innovation, support mental health, and reduce long-term healthcare costs—while aligning with EU goals on healthy ageing and the green transition.
This is the start of a new chapter for the spa medicine/balneology sector, and we look forward to the impact of her leadership.

01/12/2025

🤸‍♂️ A truly dynamic week for the European Spas Association!
Over the past days, our team proudly represented the health and spa sector at three major international events — strengthening collaborations and showcasing the growing importance of evidence-based health tourism.
🌊 – 10th Mediterranean Tourism Forum
This landmark gathering brought together over 1,500 delegates from more than 30 countries to explore bold ideas shaping the future of Mediterranean tourism.
✨ is the New Luxury, as Wellness Enters a New Era — European Spas contributed to Masterclass sessions, highlighting health tourism, well-being, and longevity as key drivers of sustainable destination development.
🌍 – First “Central Asia – European Union” Tourism Forum
High-level representatives from Central Asia and the EU joined forces to discuss how sustainable tourism can foster regional cooperation, support local communities, and protect cultural and natural heritage.
Organized in cooperation with DG MOVE, Commission, the forum marks the start of a structured EU–Central Asia dialogue on knowledge exchange, tourism governance, policy innovation, and practical collaboration.
Health tourism was strongly represented by:
• Martin Plachý, Vice President
• Alina Huseynli, Director of the Spa and Balneology Research Centre. Their contributions emphasized health tourism as a rapidly expanding market segment beyond Europe.
🏔️ – 3rd International Forum “ForResort” in
ESPA Board members Iztok Altbauer (Leader of the Communication Group, ) and Franz D’Onghia (MONDORF Domaine Thermal) engaged in key discussions shaping the future of resort development and nature-based destinations.
💧 Across all three events, our unified message was clear:
A health resort is more than a facility — it is a destination defined by its unique natural assets: health-enhancing climate conditions, mineral waters, thermal springs, coastal and mountain environments. Together, these support public health, wellbeing, and sustainable tourism growth.
🙏 A heartfelt thank you to all organizers, partners, and participants. Together, we are strengthening the future of European health tourism 💦.
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