European Spas

02/09/2025

💡 What’s shaping the future of health and wellbeing?
At the upcoming congress, we’ll explore the policies, strategies, and priorities that matter most—focusing on health, prevention, and bridging healthcare with health destinations.
This is your chance to share insights, exchange experiences, and shape the dialogue on spa destinations: https://europeanspas.eu/congress/
We’ll ask:
🌱 Which natural resources can we still use innovatively and sustainably?
🚀 What technological breakthroughs are changing the way we deliver care and wellbeing?
🤝 How can policy and governance support better prevention and healthier societies?

15/08/2025

🎉 70 Years of HEILSUSTOFNUN (Iceland) – Experience You Can Trust 🏆Proud multi-time winner of the European Spas Innovation Award
✨ First-class rehabilitation after illness or trauma
✨ Guidance to take responsibility for your physical, mental health
✨ Improved skills & participation in everyday life
✨ The latest and best in modern & herbal medicine
✨ Rest and recovery in a peaceful, comfortable environment
✨ A beautiful natural setting for exercise & relaxation
✨ 100% organic diet – no additives, just pure nourishment

🌿 Your path to better health starts here – for 70 years and counting. CONGRATULATIONS on this outstanding achievement!

📍 Discover how health, nature, and innovation work together for your wellbeing. https://www.heilsustofnun.is/en/

11/08/2025

Celebrating Excellence in European Spas📢 New partnership for Innovation Awards
💦 Wellandia, founded by Ioana Marian, has opened its platform to all European health, spa, and well-being destinations — with a focus on health, quality, and professional growth.
🤝 In collaboration with ESPA, winners of the 2024 and 2025 ESPA Innovation Awards will receive a complimentary 12-month Exclusive Membership to Wellandia.
This includes:
• Access to a specialized recruitment platform for the European spa industry
• Extensive promotional opportunities to showcase award-winning destinations
• Educational programs for spa managers, therapists, and reception teams — raising industry standards through https://wellandia.eu/en/spa-professionals/
Wellandia is more than a network — it’s a hub for career opportunities, learning, and recognition in the European spa and wellness sector.
🌐 Fostering excellence. Supporting growth. Celebrating innovation.

By 2040, our dream is that more than 301TPTP3T of the population will consistently enjoy authentic spa and wellness services that have a real impact on health and well-being.

08/08/2025

Hi, Barbie💕. Where’s Ken? Probably still pulling over somewhere between Burgas and Varna, trying to figure out if that really is a pink lake. (Spoiler: it is.)

🗺️ Welcome to Atanasovsko Lake - Bulgaria’s saltwater stunner that turns blush in summer thanks to rare microalgae. More than just a pretty view, it’s part of a delicate ecosystem where flamingos, herons, and even pelicans drop in for a visit.

Off the radar. On another level. ✨

31/07/2025

🚨 LAST CALL for Early Bird Registration!
🎤 Plus: New Speaker Announcement!
"Trigger Points, Strategies & Priorities in Health, Wellbeing, and Prevention", where we explore how nature, climate resilience, and environmental exposure are reshaping public health thinking.
💙 New Session Spotlight:
“Blue Health & Thermal Resilience: How Coastal Environments and Climate-Responsive Design Shape Future Wellbeing”
🗣 Presented by Sara Vandamme, Ghent University – member of the ESPA Thalasso Working Group
This session unveils groundbreaking interdisciplinary research at the crossroads of marine ecology, public health, and climate adaptation. Discover how coastal exposure, sea, and natural environments can support wellbeing—especially for older adults and vulnerable populations.
Key topics include:
✅ Ocean-proximate spaces for health equity
✅ Climate-adaptive design & thermal comfort
✅ Nature’s role in heat risk mitigation in a warming Europe
🎟 Don’t miss your chance to register at the Early Bird rate. Secure your spot now!

29/07/2025

🎉 Only 2 days left to secure your Early Bird Ticket for the 30th Anniversary Congress of the European Spas Association — a unique convergence of congress, B2B networking, and the prestigious Innovation Awards Gala!
📅 Join us as we celebrate three decades of advancing health, health tourism and dive into the future of spa-based, preventive healthcare in Europe.
🗝️ Keynote Speaker:
Dr. Malina Müller
Head of Health Economics, WifOR Institute
🗣️ “The Return on Investment of Better Health”
Discover how long-term investment in prevention delivers measurable economic and societal gains.
💬 Panel Discussion:
Europe’s Hidden Healthcare Power - Why Spas Belong in the Future of Public Health? A high-level debate on integrating spas into national and EU-level health strategies.
🌿 Program Highlights/ Trigger points, policy priorities in prevention and wellbeing
Digital Health & Medical Spa Integration - With Deggendorf University & WHO collaboration
Green Spa Transformation - Climate resilience, geothermal solutions, and future-ready spa destinations
Foresight in Health Policy - With Estonia’s Foresight Centre – planning for long-term health outcomes
🕒 Don’t miss your chance to be part of this landmark event!
🎟️ Early Bird ends in 2 days – act now! https://europeanspas.eu/congress-information/

17/07/2025

European Spas Innovation Awards – Jury Announcement!
We are more than proud to welcome two outstanding new members to the Innovation Awards Jury! 🎉
👩‍💼 Prof. Alessandra Priante
We are equally delighted to welcome Prof. Priante, an outstanding promoter of European tourism and a passionate advocate for health and rural tourism. Her strategic vision and commitment to sustainable development bring an invaluable perspective to our mission.

👨‍⚕️ Prof. Patrick Carpentier
A renowned specialist in vascular medicine, internal medicine, Prof. Carpentier is the Honorary President of the European Society for Vascular Medicine and currently serves as Head of the Medical Commission of ESPA. His deep clinical expertise continues to shape the future of evidence-based spa and balneological medicine across Europe.

👏 We are honored to have excellent specialists on board as jury members for the European Spas Innovation Awards 2025! We are delighted that this year we have already received many fantastic applications and look forward to your input to help shape the spa industry!

02/07/2025

Registration is now open for the 16th SPA-CE B2B Workshop!
As health tourism continues to grow, today’s travelers are seeking healing environments, natural thermal waters, and evidence-based wellbeing programs.
SPA-CE is the ideal place for:
European Spa & Health Resorts to showcase their offer - from traditional spa therapies to innovative treatments and
Travel agencies, tour operators and Patient organisations to discover new destinations and learn about their offer

🧖‍♀️ This boutique B2B event is designed for meaningful connections, featuring pre-scheduled meetings with carefully selected hosted buyers and exhibitors.
Face-to-face conversations help you build trust and turn interest into lasting partnerships.

📍 Join us and position your brand at the forefront of health, wellbeing, and rejuvenation travel.

More information: https://europeanspas.eu/spa-ce/
Just 99 days to go until we meet in !

30/06/2025

Calling all leaders in spa and health innovation!
Are you working on groundbreaking ideas in:
✨ Spa design
✨ Health & wellbeing concepts
✨ Innovative spa products or digital solutions
✨ Sustainability in spa and balneology
✨Medical improvement and study about the effects of natural remedies?

Submit your entry and showcase your innovation to Europe’s top spa, health tourism, and spa medicine leaders.

🏆 Winners will be honored at the prestigious European Spas & Balneology Congress
📍 October 9, 2025 | Haapsalu, Estonia

🗓️ Deadline: 12 September 2025
🔗 Apply now and join the future of spa & wellbeing innovation!

Entries are accepted in eight categories. Awards will be presented to the most forward-thinking ideas and services that not only enhance the spa experience but also demonstrate a lasting and sustainable impact on the industry.

Learn more & submit here: https://europeanspas.eu/espa-innovation-award/

06/06/2025

02/06/2025

Board meeting can start - fresh air, sunshine and great company

27/05/2025

🤝 Strengthening Global Cooperation in Health & Tourism
We’re proud to share that Dr Siyka Katsarova PhD, Vice President of the European Spas Association (ESPA) and Board Member of the German-Bulgarian Industry Chamber, is currently on a business mission in China.
As an invited participant at the China-Germany Hidden Champions Forum 2025 in Beijing, Siyka Katsarova is taking the opportunity to build valuable partnerships and represent ESPA at an international level, thanks to
Today, she had highly productive meetings with:
🔹 Beijing Health Promotion Agency
🔹 Hiseas International, ESPA’s long-standing travel partner in China
🔹 And signed a vital cooperation agreement with the Academy for Tourism Professional Education—a key step toward future training, knowledge exchange, and professional development in health tourism.
This mission reflects ESPA’s commitment to expanding cross-border collaboration and promoting evidence-based, sustainable spa and health destinations across Europe and beyond.