C1: INNOVATIVE SPA DESTINATION
EUROPEAN SPAS INNOVATION AWARD 2025
Celebrating innovation and excellence in the health & spa industry
ESPA Innovation Awards 2026
We are accepting entries for the next Awards. Deadline for the entries is 30 April 2026
What is the ESPA Innovation Award?
More than a competition—it’s a prestigious platform that celebrates creativity, excellence, and groundbreaking ideas in the health & spa industry.
The ESPA Innovation Award honors visionaries who are redefining through innovative, effective, and transformative approaches our health sector & spa destinations. It is a stage for pioneers who push the boundaries of well-being, setting new standards. Beyond recognition, the award embodies the European Spas Association’s mission: fostering the exchange of knowledge, best practices, and expertise across Europe. It is a celebration of progress, passion, and the relentless pursuit of excellence in the spa world, health sector.
Do you have an innovative idea for the spa industry?
Deadline for applications is 30 April 2026
ENTER THE COMPETITION IN 2026
Have you or your company made an impact on the future of spa & health? Stay tuned and be part of the movement that’s shaping the next generation of health tourism! If you believe your project deserves to be recognised as a good practice case in the European health & spa industry, here are 5 good reasons to enter in 2026:
Categories in 2026
1. INNOVATIVE SPA DESTINATION
Intended for municipalities and regions that showcased innovation in urban development, destination ambience, branding, sustainability and quality and diversity of touristic attractions.
2. INNOVATIVE MEDICAL SPA
Intended for medical spa centers or medical spa facilities that showcased innovation in their medical services, spa management, branding, sustainability, evidence-based medical practices, architecture and design.
3. INNOVATIVE SPA DESIGN
Intended for spa hotels that showcased innovation in their services, products, design, architecture, spa programmes and sustainability.
4. INNOVATIVE SPA CONCEPT
Intended for recreational facilities, spa complexes and spa resorts using local & natural remedies that showcased innovation in their concept and integration with nature.
5. INNOVATIVE HEALTH SPA PROGRAMME
Intended for medical spa facilities (e.g Thermal Spa, Thalasso Spa, Climate health resort, Kneipp Spa, Radon Spa) that developed new medical spa treatments with evidence-based benefits.
6. INNOVATIVE SPA PRODUCTS
Intended for innovative spa brands, products, equipment, thermal dermo-cosmetics and other products with natural ingredients that provide clear benefits for the consumers.
7. INNOVATIVE SPA EDUCATION
Intended for universities and colleges that carry out degree programmes that challenge and seek novel theoretical concepts, new approaches or methodologies, and new findings.
8. MEDICAL SPA SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
Intended for authors of scientific research, who implemented new medical methods and scientific arguments to achieve breakthroughs in spa/health tourism.
Winners in 2025
The winners of the ESPA Innovation Awards 2025, showcased in eight categories.
Special Jury Awards in 2025
Winners in 2024
The winners of the ESPA Innovation Awards 2024 showcased in eight categories.
Who is evaluating the projects?
All projects are evaluated by a 6-member expert jury based on 5 evaluation segments, including originality, impact of the innovation, practicality, measurability of the benefits, and sustainability.
Gunnlaugur K. Jónsson
Nature Health association of IcelandGunnlaugur K. Jónsson has been ESPA´s First Vice President since 2008. He is the President of Nature Health Association of Iceland (NHAI), founded in 1937 by his great-grandfather, Dr. Med. Jónas Krisjánsson who established NHAI Rehabilitation and Health Clinic/SPA in Hveragerði/Iceland (HNLFÍ) in 1955.
Silvia Giannini
Design for Wellness & SPASilvia’s career is directed to responsibility and distinctive projects for commercial and business activities, mostly SPA and Thermal areas, for which she is considered one of the leading experts in Italy. Her studio also develops projects for Hotel and Fitness for well know international brands and investments companies.
Dr. Reza Soltani
President of the Tourism Industry Research CentrePresident of the Tourism Industry Research Centre Dr. Soltani is a globally recognized expert in tourism research, innovation, and strategic development, contributing deep knowledge of industry trends and evidence-based evaluation.
Prof. Patrick Carpentier
A specialist in vascular and internal medicine. He is the Honorary President of the European Society for Vascular Medicine and the Head of the Medical Commission of ESPA, where he contributes his extensive clinical expertise to the advancement of evidence-based spa and balneological medicine.
Administration/ Contact:
administration@europeanspas.euProf. Todorka Kostadinova
Medical University in Varna, BulgariaTodorka is a professor in strategic management, social marketing and project management, and Vice rector at the Medical University in Varna, Bulgaria. She is an associated editor of the International Journal of Integrated care and former Deputy Minister of Health in Bulgaria.
Petr Kulhanek
Former Minister for Regional DevelopmentFormer Minister for Regional Development of the Czech Republic and former Mayor and Regional Leader of Karlovy Vary. Mr. Kulhánek brings extensive experience in regional policy, tourism development, and public administration, providing valuable insight into the integration of spa and health tourism into sustainable regional strategies.
Csilla Mezősi
European Spas AssociationCsilla Mezösi has been the Secretary General of ESPA since 2018. As Secretary General, she is active in cooperations with EU Policies, stakeholder groups DG Sante, Tourism and Sport, in the Tourism Manifesto Group, opening activities and cooperations in the overseas markets.
Partners
Winners in 2023
The winners of the ESPA Innovation Awards 2023 came from 12 European countries and showcased in eight categories.