Tuesday, 21 October from 11.00 to 12.30 (am) We are glad to announce the next online workshop of the Thalasso Working Group and the first speakers: Dr. Marcus Wengel from Prof. Dr. Biener GmbH will speak about minerals in thalassotherapy. His presentation begins with the ocean — a rich source of minerals that can influence human health in many ways. He will focus on selected minerals...

The third session of “SUBSTANCE: CONTENT & NATURE,” held as part of the ISMH–ESPA Joint Medical Session, focused on the theme “Stress-related disorders: an opportunity for spa medicine.” This session brought together international experts to explore how balneotherapy can address modern healthcare challenges. Opening the session, Prof. Christian-François Roques, President of the International Society of Medical Hydrology and Climatology, delivered a recorded address emphasizing the...

From 2–3 June 2025, Slovenia had the honor of hosting the ESPA Board Meeting, held at the renowned Dolenjske Toplice Spa, part of the Terme Krka group. This meeting marked a significant transition within the Slovenian Spas Association as long-standing director Iztok Altbauer officially stepped down, handing over his role to Ms. Saša Požar. Board members extended a warm welcome to the new General...

4–6 June 2025 | Ensana Thermal Margaret Island, Budapest The Thermal Tourism Congress 2025 took place from 4 to 6 June 2025 at the renowned Ensana Thermal Margaret Island in Budapest. The event was hosted by the European Historic Thermal Towns Association (EHTTA), Budapest Spas, and UN Tourism, and powered by Ensana. The European Spas Association (ESPA)joined as a supporting partner. Mayor’s Summit and Welcome Reception The...

The tenth anniversary edition of the two-day international Bled Water Forum, with participants from thirty-eight countries, concluded with the awarding of prizes for outstanding innovations in the field of drinking water quality and water resource conservation. The 10th Bled Water Forum was held on 4 and 5 June in Bled. The Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon, officially opened the Forum, emphasising the...

On 29 April 2025 iLab participated in the cross-border meeting of tourist information centres of the EUREGIO EGRENSIS region, which took place in the Chopin House in Mariánské Lázně. The Institute of Spa and Balneology was represented by RNDr. Patricia Hloušková, Ph.D., who gave an expert lecture on "The future of spa medicine: research, objectification and innovation in ILaB". In her presentation, she presented the...

Integrating Mental Well-being into the Spa Ecosystem The 4th edition of Medi Wellness Congress (MWC), held on April 28th & 29th, 2025, at Hilton Geneva Hotel & Conference Centre in Switzerland, brought together more than 130 professionals from across the medispa, medical, innovation and hospitality sectors for an exceptional opportunity of learning, inspiration, and connection. Organised by HaB France, in collaboration with the industry veteran...

Hydrotherapy is a medicine of public utility Organized by the Senator of Puy-de-Dôme Jean-Marc Boyer, under the high patronage of the President of the Senate Gérard Larcher, this day reaffirmed a reality: hydrotherapy is a medicine of public utility, scientifically proven, which must be defended and strengthened. It was an opportunity to reaffirm the essential role of thermal medicine in public health responses to the...

Special registration fee of 259 EUR is available for ESPA members until 14th May 2025. Join global leaders in thermal tourism at the International Thermal Tourism Congress, a premier event uniting experts, researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to explore the growing potential of thermal destinations. This year’s congress will focus on sustainability, heritage, innovation, and wellness—key pillars shaping the future of thermal tourism. Organisers Organised by the...

International participation, awards and new impulses for research and practice Third edition of the conference on Modern Technologies in Spa Industry organised by the Institute of Spa and Balnoology in Karlovy Vary was held on 15 April 2025.More thantwo hundred experts from research institutions, universities and spa facilities from the Czech Republic and abroad gathered to learn about the innovations and discuss the challenges of...