European Spas

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 hashtag 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 💦.
for

17/11/2025

🎉 Winner 2025: Wellandia – Spa Education Programme
European Spas Innovation Award – Category: Education

Innovation matters most where people matter most — in 👉 education, upskilling and empowering the teams who keep our spa & wellness industry thriving.

This year, the European Spas Association is proud to recognise Wellandia for delivering one of Europe’s most impactful and future-ready learning programmes for spa and wellness operations. 💙

💁‍♂️ Read the interview with the founder, Ioana Marian: https://europeanspas.eu/transforming-spa-management-education-the-spaedu-revolution/

Why this programme stands out
Wellandia turns knowledge into real performance. The programme goes far beyond theory — it transforms learning into SOPs, service menus, staffing plans, financial literacy, and everyday operational decisions teams can use immediately.

📌 Each module connects to real business needs:
✔ Pricing & revenue strategy
✔ Inventory & capacity planning
✔ Customer retention & complaint handling
✔ Upselling techniques
✔ Operational excellence & consistent service quality

see the program: Https://wellandia.eu/en/cidesco-international-accredited-spa-management-course/

🧭 A hands-on learning journey
The programme includes:
• 21 live courses
• 21 one-to-one mentoring sessions
• 7 Q&A sessions
• A structured review process to ensure each participant delivers a complete Business Plan and 15 applied projects — all corrected, refined and fully ready to implement! 🚀

🔧 Tools that make implementation easy
Participants receive ready-to-use templates, SOPs, checklists, forms, financial models and frameworks — everything needed to move from learning to doing.

🙏 Designed for real life:
• All live sessions take place on the same weekday and time throughout the year — perfect for full-time operations.
• Unlimited, long-term access to the LMS supports just-in-time implementation & ongoing refreshers.

👏 This is innovation in education: practical, scalable, and aligned with the real needs of today’s spa managers and teams.

A big congratulations to Wellandia for leading the way in professional development and strengthening skills across Europe’s spa & wellness sector! 🌿💙

12/11/2025

🌿 OPTBR
The European Spas Association (ESPA) is honored to participate in the 2025 edition of the Romanian Spa and Wellness Tourism Congress, held today in Sovata, Romania — a key event shaping the future of spa and wellness tourism in the region and across Europe — a true gathering of industry leaders and international experts.

Key highlights include the panel discussion on the evolution of spa and wellness tourism between 2024-2025, exploring current trends, strategic partnerships with central and local authorities, challenges, and emerging opportunities. We’re also focusing on SPA market projects for 2025 and shaping priorities at the European level.

Honored to have remarkable panel guests:
Laurențiu-Viorel Gîdei, Secretary of State, Ministry of Economy, Digitalization, Entrepreneurship and Tourism

Nicu Rădulescu, President of OPTBR
Siyka Katsarova, President of ESPA (European Association of SPAs)
Alin Chipăilă, Alianța pentru Turism and Tourism Alliance
Ioana Marian, CEO of Wellandia European Spa Innovation Award winner 2025
Some exciting topics include:
-Smart distribution in spa tourism
-Digital innovation and the impact of technology
-Innovation in spa education- new education schools with balneological profiles

The Congress also marked a significant moment of collaboration between the Organization of SPA Center Owners in Romania and the Bulgarian Union of Balneology and SPA Tourism (Български съюз по балнеология и СПА туризъм, with a signed memorandum to promote the Danube-Black Sea Cross-Border Region as a top health and wellbeing destination.
Thanks to the great host Ensana, home to Lake Ursu, Europe’s largest heliothermal lake! 🌞💦
Sovata’s spas have specialized expertise in treating female conditions, with outstanding success in inflammatory disorders, , and ailments related to and . 💗

10/11/2025

📢 Urban Healing, Reinvented — Congratulations to De Montel – Terme Milano, Italy 🇮🇹
Once, Europe’s great cities were built around healing waters…Now, Milan is writing the next chapter of this story.

🏆 Honored as the Innovative Spa Destination Winner of the European Spas Awards, De Montel – Terme Milano stands as the most visionary wellbeing project in Europe — a bold rebirth of thermal culture within a vibrant metropolis. 💁‍♂️Read the interview: https://europeanspas.eu/the-future-of-city-wellbeing-begins-in-milan/
Milan now offers more than haute couture and art — it offers rejuvenation, healing, and longevity.
💦 De Montel – Terme Milano introduces one of the first modern spa complexes in a major European city with its own natural thermal spring. It bridges the centuries-old tradition of rural health resorts with the rhythm of contemporary urban life, redefining what urban well-being truly means.

Here, certified healing thermal waters, recognized by the Italian Ministry of Health for their dermatological and therapeutic value, meet the Terme di Saturnia Method — the heritage of natural well-being from Tuscany, now brought to the city.
“We wanted to demonstrate that wellness can – and must – be part of the urban tissue,” says investor and dreamer Massimo Caputi, whose vision has turned De Montel into Italy’s largest urban thermal park and one of Europe’s most ambitious wellness projects in recent years.

🌿 De Montel is more than a spa — it’s a movement.
A pact between city and nature.
A place where time slows, health regenerates, and sustainability shapes the new luxury.

✨ A powerful reminder that in the cities of tomorrow, well-being will not be an escape — it will be a way of life.
“This project shows that Europe is ready for a new era of urban well-being — where environmental innovation, cultural heritage, and health merge to improve the quality of life for all,” adds Mr. Massimo Caputi.

Congratulations to the team De Montel-Terme Milano Terme&Spa Italia Terme di Saturnia

Massimo Caputi on How De Montel – Terme Milano Became Winner of the ESPA Innovation Award in the category “Innovative Spa Destination“ 1. This has been one of the largest investments in Europe’s spa and wellness sector in recent years. What was the driving vision behind this project, and wha...

06/11/2025

💦 Reflections from the European Spas Annual Congress — Thank You to Our Inspiring Community! 🙏
We are deeply grateful to all speakers, participants, and partners who made this year’s ESPA Congress such an inspiring success! 💚
According to our post-congress survey, the main motivations for attending were:
📘 Gaining new knowledge from industry experts (60%)
🤝 Meeting colleagues from the spa and health resort sector (50%)
🌐 Expanding professional networks (44%)
The most appreciated sessions included:
⭐ Dr. Malina Müller’s keynote – “The Return on Investment of Better Health”
💬 The panel “Europe’s Hidden Healthcare Power” Alina Huseynli, Claudia Wagner, Meglena Plugtschieva, Claude-Eugene Bouvier; Patrick H. Carpentier, MD
🌿 Sessions on health, Trigger Points, Strategies & Priorities in Health, Wellbeing, and Prevention Anke Sponer, Verkís Consulting Engineers Thorleikur Jóhannsson, Markos Danas / Marion VANSINGLE, Sara Vandamme, Jaanus Terasmaa
Overall satisfaction with the congress reached 7.9/10, with 60% of participants reporting that their expectations were fully met.
Our destination, Visit Haapsalu in beautiful , and the local organizing team both received over 90% top-level ratings for their hospitality and professionalism. 🇪🇪✨Urmas Sukles Maret Sukles Aire Toffer Teele Jurtom Ain Hinsberg
Networking opportunities (92.9%) and programme content were also rated as very good by nearly all respondents.
A special mention goes to the “We Trust in ” activity and the visit to the Haapsalu Rehabilitation Centre, both of which are described by many as inspiring and insightful.
💬 We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our hosts, distinguished speakers, panellists, and attendees for sharing their expertise and passion for health, prevention, and wellbeing.
Thanks to: Antonella Fioravanti Maria Lorena Vela Pedro Cantista, MD, PhD Olivier Dubois Varje-Riin Tuulik Margrét Grímsdóttir Maria Martšenko Eda Veeroja Mari-Liis Ööpik-Loks Loora Salurand Aleš Příhoda Linda Lancere Jacqueline Daly Monika Kumm Kristi Kuusmik-Orav Alar Veraksitš

🎶 Special applause to the largest and best singing team from Lithuania, wonderfully organized by Lietuvos Kurortų Asociacija, Kristina Citvarienė and Lina Nosevic — your energy filled the room with joy! 💫
🤝 Heartfelt thanks to our valued partners:
Gharieni Group, Jan Kern, L'Institut Sothys, and Marlène Dessus — your support and innovation help shape the future of health and wellness tourism in Europe. Together, we continue to strengthen Europe’s position as a global leader in spa, health, and medical wellness tourism. 🌿

Български съюз по балнеология и СПА туризъм MONDORF Domaine Thermal Institut lázeňství a balneologie Fit Reisen OPTBR Natalija Bah Cad Svaz léčebných lázní České republiky Csobbanj velünk Eesti Spaaliit

03/11/2025

🌿 Advancing the Mission of Healing Climates and Sustainable Wellbeing 🌿

The relationship between climate, nature, and human health stands at the core of our mission. The healing effects of ancient pine forests, the pure mountain air, and the unique natural energy of places such as the green heart of the Rhodope Mountains, Pamporovo-Chepelare, are invaluable assets for Europe’s future of health and sustainability.

We are pleased to announce the opening of a new representative office in close cooperation with Mr. Boran Hadijev, Mayor of Pamporovo–Chepelare, and under the leadership of our President, Siyka Katsarova.🌿 Promoting Healing Climates and Sustainable Wellbeing 🌿

Our Secretary General and Zhivko Ivanov, Vice-President of Български съюз по балнеология и СПА туризъм expressed strong support for this important step, emphasizing that:
“Climate change must also be approached from the other side — by preserving and promoting the few remaining places with naturally healing environments.”
Through this initiative, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting and advancing the concept of healing climates, raising awareness of their importance for prevention, longevity, and overall well-being.

27/10/2025

We had the great honor of welcoming Mrs. Tilly Metz, Member of the European Parliament from Luxembourg, for an official visit and exchange on the medical competencies and therapeutic value of European medical spas and health resorts. 🇪🇺💧as a best case MONDORF Domaine Thermal.

The visit was expertly organized by Csilla Mezösi, Secretary General of the European Spas Association, and Mrs. Metz was guided by Mr. Fränz D’Onghia PhD, Director of the Health Department, and his excellent team. They provided an in-depth presentation of our medical and preventive health programs. The visit included demonstrations of 🧎‍➡️kinesotherapy, the innovative David health exercise, and 🏃‍♂️‍➡️prevention program, discussions with a 🥬 chef-nutritionist, and insights into 💦 hydrotherapy, mud treatments, and CO₂-healing water therapies.

As Vice-President of the new Public Health Committee (SANT) in the European Parliament, Mrs. plays a key role in shaping EU health policy. Her visit opened new doors for dialogue between the medical spa sector and European decision-makers.

A big thank you to Mrs. Metz for her openness and genuine interest, and to the team at Mondorf-les-Bains for showcasing the complexity of European spa medicine and wellbeing!

21/10/2025

🙏 Thank you very much to Mr. Reza Soltani and the Institute of Tourism for the kind invitation and excellent organization.
Today, the focus is on health and sustainability — how we can use natural remedies and the power of nature to create a greener, healthier model of tourism.
👉 Follow the Tourism World Summit and the presentation of our President, Dr Siyka Katsarova, live online: https://lnkd.in/eDbPc9tP
🎙️ Key Highlights from Dr. Katsarova’s remarks:
1️⃣ Why can Europe’s medical spas and natural remedies play such an important role in preventive healthcare?
2️⃣ How can medical spas and health resorts help Europe — and the world — respond to today’s big health challenges like stress, chronic disease, and mental health?
3️⃣ Europe as a ‘Health Powerhouse based on Nature’ — what does that vision mean?
💧 A big step forward for Europe’s leadership in natural, evidence-based health and wellness.

20/10/2025

📢Just a week after her election, Siyka Katsarova PhD; the new President of the European Spas Association, has officially begun her mandate — exactly as she promised during her address, she starts in Brussels.
We are proud to share that she has been invited to participate at the highest level of this year’s Global Tourism Forum Annual Meeting 2025, taking place 20–21 October in Brussels.
Following the kind introduction by Ujhelyi István dr., UN Tourism Ambassador to the European Union, and the official invitation signed by Mr. Bulut Bagci, President of the World Tourism Forum Institute, Dr. Katsarova will join as a distinguished panelist in the session:
💦🩺 “Medical Tourism: Shaping the Future of Global Wellness and Health Travel.”
Under the theme “Redefining Tourism in a Changing World,” the Forum will bring together UN Tourism, Heads of State, Ministers, investors, and industry leaders to explore new pathways toward sustainable, inclusive, and health-driven tourism.
✨ A remarkable recognition of Europe’s leadership in spa medicine, wellbeing, longevity, and medical tourism — and a strong step forward for our shared vision of a healthier, more sustainable future.
Български съюз по балнеология и СПА туризъм

11/10/2025

Quickest on the news as always — has all the winners of the Innovation Awards! 👏🚀

בטקס נוצץ שנערך בהאפסלו, אסטוניה, במבנה היסטורי, הוענקו פרסים לחדשנות בתחום הספא, הבריאות והוולנס. ב...