In the latest episode of the Travel Tomorrow Podcast, Csilla Mezősi, Secretary General of the European Spas Association (ESPA), explores how Europe’s medical spas are evolving into key contributors to prevention, rehabilitation, healthy ageing and longevity. Europe’s spa and health tourism sector welcomes 25 million visitors every year, generates around €50 billion, and supports 850,000 jobs. With more than 10,000 facilities, the sector is a major part of Europe’s tourism and health...

On September 30, 2026, following World Heart Day, key European policymakers, researchers, health experts, and medical spa leaders gathered at the Press Club Brussels Europe for a high-level briefing hosted by the European Spas Association (ESPA). The working breakfast culminated in a landmark milestone for the sector: the signing of the Brussels Declaration on European Medical Spas, Prevention and the Life Sciences Agenda. Bridging Nature and the EU Life Sciences Strategy As Europe faces mounting demographic...

In a significant step forward for the European health, prevention, and longevity sectors, President Assoc. Prof. Dr. Siyka Katsarova PhD met for a strategic high-level exchange with Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation. On behalf of the European Spas Association (ESPA) and the broader health tourism community, we express our sincere gratitude to Commissioner Zaharieva for providing the opportunity for such an open, constructive, and forward-looking discussion. Bridging European Heritage and Modern Healthcare The...

As Europe faces an escalating public health crisis—driven by aging populations and the rising burden of chronic disease, the European Spas Association (ESPA) is championing a fundamental reform in European health strategy. On September 30th, following World Heart Day, ESPA hosted high-level policymakers and stakeholders at the Press Club Brussels Europe. Our ambition is clear: to place natural remedies and medical spas at the core of...

Briefing on EU Life-Sciences strategy, prevention and health tourism The role of spa medicine and natural remedies Europe is entering a new era of prevention, longevity and lifestyle medicine — and medical spas have an essential role to play. At our high‑level Brussels briefing, we are honoured to welcome Dr Milena Angelova (EESC Rapporteur for the EU Life Sciences Strategy), MEP Daniel Attard (Rapporteur for the...

An Interview with Ms. Vesela Bogdanova, General Manager of the Five Elements Hotel in Bulgaria  –  Winner of the Special Jury Award at the ESPA Innovation Awards for Innovative Spa Design Q1 Translating the five elements—earth, water, fire, air, and space—from philosophy into functional spatial design is ambitious. Can you walk us through one element and explain exactly how it manifests physically in the spa? Water is...

Led by ESPA Board Member Marlies Sobczak, our recent online workshop, held on the 18 June 2026, united European experts to highlight the scientifically backed power of marine environments and thalassotherapy for preventive health and longevity. Our recent online workshop brought together leading experts to discuss the future of preventive health, wellness, and longevity tourism. Following the HealthXChange summit in Varna, this expert session highlighted...

An Interview with Ms. Egle Rukšėnaitė, Founder at E77 Hotel & Spa Development, Lithuania -  Winner of the ESPA Innovation Award for Innovative Spa Concept Q1. Your opening ceremony was honoured by the presence of Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden. What was Her Majesty’s first impression of the Addere Care Wellness Nursing Hospital, and how did she react to this new European model...

An Interview with Prim. MUDr. Ladislav Špišák, CSc — Winner of the ESPA Innovation Award for Innovative Health Spa Programme Q1: The Diabetes Mellitus+ programme combines continuous glucose monitoring, vascular diagnostics, sleep‑apnoea screening and personalised natural therapies. What were the biggest challenges in integrating digital diabetology into a traditional spa environment, and how did you ensure clinical accuracy and safety? Karlovy Vary is world famous for...

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...

A Longevity Forum took place on the final day of the European HEALTHXCHANGE Summit 2026, dedicated to the future of sustainable health tourism. The session was hosted at the Ensana Aquahouse Hotel & Spa in the St. Constantine and Helena resort complex and organized by Dr. Petra Bailey and our team. Longevity has become one of the most important global trends in health tourism,...

At the opening of the HealthXchange Summit 2026, held in Varna, Mrs. Dr. Yordanka Chobanova delivered remarks on behalf of the European Commissioner, highlighting Bulgaria’s growing role in European health and spa tourism. She noted the country’s 15% increase in foreign spa visitors, its rich natural assets, and the momentum created by its recent accession to the eurozone. The Commission believes that healthcare systems should...