ESPA proudly presents Dr. Malina Müller as a keynote speaker at the European Spas & Balneology Congress to be held from 8 - 10 October in Haapsalu, Estonia. Dr. Malina Müllerleads the Health Economics research division at the WifOR Institute, where she specialises in statistics, health policy, and alternative economic models. Her work is driven by the mission of achieving health for all by...

 Interview with Mr. Urmas Sukles, Mayor of Haapsalu Q1. In just one sentence, how would you describe the essence of Haapsalu to someone who's never been here? In Haapsalu, time doesn’t stand still, but while walking along the promenade, in the castle, or on the narrow streets lined with wooden houses, you experience something extraordinary  - Haapsalu’s characteristic historical tranquillity. Q2. While tradition is important, innovation keeps...

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...

On April 16, the fourth meeting of experts in the field of Thalasso therapy took place. Since the first online meeting in spring 2024, the number of participating countries and specialists has continued to grow steadily. We now count 28 participants from 15 different countries. The workshop was organised by Ms. Marlies Sobczak, ESPA Board member in cooperation with Wilhelm Loth, Kurdirektion Staatsbad Norderney. This...

The 4th edition of the Medi Wellness Congress will be held in Geneva, Switzerland, on 28 and 29 April 2025. ESPA Board members, Dr. Siyka Katsarova, Csilla Mezösi and Iztok Altbauer have been invited by the main organiser, Ms. Vladi Kovanic, as speakers. The main purpose of the Medi Wellness Congress (MWC) is to explore the integration of mental well-being into the spa ecosystem, focusing on...

The European Parliament in Strasbourg's plenary sessions on 3 April 2025 opens a debate on Health tourism: Protecting EU patients abroad. Commission statement by Mr. Olivér Várhelyi, EU Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare. The first proposal »Capital of European Health destination« was positively voted in the EU Parliament - TRAN committee. The European Capital of Health Destination Initiative promotes sustainable, health-focused tourism to transform...

Italy’s Largest Urban Thermal Park The largest urban thermal park in Italy, spanning over 16,000 square meters, has been inaugurated. The project blends wellbeing, sustainability, and innovation for urban regeneration, involving a €57 million investment and creating 100 new jobs.   De Montel Stables, designed in the 1920s in Milan, have been transformed into a grand thermal park, with water drawn from a depth of 400 meters....