INTERVIEWS

Designing Serenity: How Gradiali Transforms Technology into Therapy

An interview with Irmantas Karpis, Head of Sales at Gradiali Medical SPA & Wellness, Lithuania — winner of the ESPA Innovation Award for Innovative Spa Design Hotel and Special Jury Award in category Innovative Medical Spa 1. What visual experiences do guests encounter, and how do these environments support therapeutic goals? At the heart of the new Gradiali SPA is an extraordinary visual experience – a...

Transforming Spa Management Education: The SpaEdu Revolution

An Interview with Ioana Marian, Founder of SpaEdu & Wellandia, Romania — Winner of the ESPA Innovation Award for Innovative Spa Education 1. SpaEdu by Wellandia is a spa management academy launched two years ago in Romania and is growing fast. What enabled this acceleration?We founded SpaEdu after 15 years of experience with Wellandia—a professional hub built since 2010 to strengthen the Spa & Wellness...

The Future of City Wellbeing Begins in Milan

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 what message do you hope it sends about the future of urban wellbeing in Europe? The driving...

Redefining Rehabilitation: How VR is Transforming Spa Therapy

An interview with Konstantin Novikov of VR Medical, Czech Republic, Winner of the ESPA Innovation Award in the category Innovative Spa Products Your system is the first MDR-certified VR rehabilitation in spa settings. What do patients typically do in the virtual environment, and how does it differ from traditional physiotherapy? In VR Medical, patients are immersed in carefully designed virtual scenarios that replicate meaningful movements and...

Interview with Rokas Navickas, CEO of SPA VILNIUS

The ESPA Innovation Award winner in the category “Innovative SPA Hotel” Q1. SPA VILNIUS is the big winner in the "Innovative SPA Hotel" and "Innovative Health SPA Programme" categories of the European Spa Association's Innovation Awards for 2024. Could you briefly present the idea and the vision of SPA VILNIUS? Thank you! At SPA VILNIUS, we are guided by the belief that true wellness emerges from...

Interview with Mrs Nuša Korotaj, CEO of Terme Sveti Martin

The ESPA Innovation Award winner in the category "Innovative Medical SPA" Mrs Nuša Korotaj, congratulations! Terme Sveti Martin is the big winner in the "Innovative Medical SPA" category of the European Spa Association’s Innovation Awards for 2024. What do you think was the main factor that led the jury to award the program with the highest scores in the category?  Thank you! I believe our focus...

Interview with Mr. Ričardas Malinauskas, Mayor of Druskininkai

"Druskininkai aims to be a modern and sustainable wellness and SPA hub in Europe" Q1. Druskininkai is the big winner in the "Innovative SPA Destination" category of the European Spa Association's Innovation Awards for 2024. Could you briefly present the history, the idea, and the vision of the Druskininkai for a Spa destination? The roots of Druskininkai as a resort date back to 1794 when the...

Interview with ing. Alina Huseynli, Institute of Spa and Balneology in Karlovy Vary

Winner in the category Innovative Medical Spa Scientific Research 1. Congratulations! Institute of Spa and Balneology in Karlovy Vary is the big winner in the Innovative Medical Spa Scientific Research category at the Innovation Awards conferred by the  European SPAS Association for 2024. Were you anticipating this award, and what do you think are the advantages that convinced the jury to distinguish your...

Interview with Ass. Prof. Lolita Rapolienė, Klaipėda University

Jury Award Winner in the category Innovative Spa Research 1. For over three decades, your university has been a key factor in the region. Were you anticipating this award, and what do you think are the advantages that convinced the jury to distinguish your achievements? Thank you! It’s an incredible honour for us at Klaipeda University to receive this prestigious...

Interview with Tanya Tsvetanova – CEO of GRIFID Hotels, Bulgaria

Winner in the category Innovative SPA Concept  Ms. Tsvetanova, congratulations! GRIFID Hotels is the big winner in the "Innovative SPA Concept" category of the European Spa Association's Innovation Awards for 2024. What do you think was the main factor that led the jury to award the program with the highest scores in the category?  The main factor that helped GRIFID...