The European Spas Association (ESPA) proudly participated in the Bled Water Forum 2026, a leading European platform dedicated to water, health and sustainable development. The Forum brought together high‑level representatives and decision‑makers, Marko Gajić, Co‑Founder of the Bled Water Forum; Dr. Aleš Musar, First Gentleman of the Republic of Slovenia; and Diana Nausėdienė, First Lady of the Republic of Lithuania. Their presence underscored the political relevance of water governance and the need for coordinated action across sectors and countries.
This year’s edition presented Slovenia and Bled in an exceptional way — as a living laboratory of Water, Health and Sustainable Tourism, where water quality, natural environments and responsible tourism practices come together to support healthier societies. The concept was introduced by MSc Karmen Novarlič, Head of Business Communication at the Slovenian Tourist Board.
Blue Health and Longevity Panel
Within this framework, ESPA Secretary General Csilla Mezősi contributed to the panel “Blue Health and Longevity”, emphasising that the future of health and longevity must be rooted in nature‑based prevention rather than pharmaceutical dependency. She highlighted how Europe’s health destinations are developing evidence‑based, nature‑centred programmes for a growing health‑oriented market — from balneology and climate therapy to movement in nature and personalised prevention pathways. She also introduced ESPA’s Healing Water Initiative, acknowledging the presence of its founder Mr. Iztok Altbauer, and underlining how Europe’s natural mineral waters form a unique therapeutic asset that must be protected, researched and communicated with scientific credibility.
The panel brought together a diverse group of experts, moderated by Milin Patel, including:
- Reza Soltani, President, Institute of Tourism, Belgium — who presented how nature, natural resources and water are becoming central elements in destination branding and communication, reflecting a global shift toward authenticity and sustainability.
- Helmut Burtscher‑Schaden, Environmental Chemist, GLOBAL 2000 – Friends of the Earth Austria — who issued a clear warning about underground water quality, stressing the urgent need for stronger protection and responsible management.
- Aleksandra Bykowska‑Derda, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poland — who detailed the essential role of mineral water in nutrition science, emphasising the importance of educating future nutritionists about its health value.
- Ruriko Suzuki, Water Sommelier, Japan Aqua Sommelier Association (JASA), Japan — who offered an international perspective on water culture, sensory evaluation and global water appreciation.
Aquinity – When Water Sets the Standards
The second panel, “Aquinity8 – When Water Sets the Standards”, showcased how water quality is becoming a defining benchmark in gastronomy and tourism. Experts from Slovenia, Romania, South Korea and China demonstrated how water influences taste, sustainability and guest experience — from coffee and cocktails to food pairing and hospitality innovation.
“Playful Water” competition
One of the most inspiring moments of the Forum was the involvement of kindergarten children, who participated in a regional competition on water protection and water management. The young winners were invited on stage, offering a powerful reminder that safeguarding water begins with early education, awareness and community engagement.
Together, these sessions highlighted the growing importance of water as a strategic resource for prevention, wellbeing, longevity and sustainable tourism across Europe, and reaffirmed ESPA’s commitment to advancing evidence‑based water and spa practices for healthier communities.
More about the event: https://bledwf.com/