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...

HEALTHXCHANGE Summit - Europe’s New Platform for Prevention, Spa Medicine & Longevity The HEALTHXCHANGE Summit 2026 in Varna has generated exceptional visibility across Europe and beyond, positioning the event as a new flagship platform for health tourism, prevention, spa medicine, and longevity. Media outlets from Brussels to Berlin, Tel Aviv, and Sofia highlighted the Summit’s strategic importance, the strong presence of EU institutions, positioning the event as Europe’s new...

Ms. Ekaterina Zaharieva, EU Commissioner, Addressed the Participants of the HEALTHXCHANGE Summit 2026 In her official video address to the HEALTHXCHANGE Summit 2026, Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, delivered a strong and forward-looking message on the future of Europe’s water resources, prevention, and health tourism. She emphasised that water is one of Europe’s most valuable natural assets, noting that global demand is...

The ESPA Innovation Award is one of Europe’s most respected recognitions in the field of medical spas, wellness, and health tourism. Organised by the European Spas Association (ESPA), the award celebrates visionary destinations, companies, and experts who are redefining the future of health and wellbeing through innovation, sustainability, and evidence-based spa medicine. This year, the ESPA Innovation Award Ceremony was held as part of the...

The HEALTHXCHANGE Summit 2026 opened in Varna with a strong focus on the future of preventive health, sustainable tourism and regional development. The opening message of EU Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva set the tone for the Summit, highlighting the importance of innovation, prevention and Europe’s natural healing resources in shaping the future of the sector. Her remarks underscored the strategic role of health tourism in...

HEALTHXCHANGE SUMMIT 2026 - Programme Monday, May 11 Hosted Buyers Study Tour Registration 18:00-19:00 in Hotel NOA19:30 Welcome Dinner | Venue: Hotel NOA, Golden Sands Resort Tuesday, May 12 Congress Program: 08:30 – 17:30Venue: Hotel NOA, Golden Sands Resort Morning Plenary – Vision, Policy & Scientific Foundations for Sustainable Health Tourism 08:30 – 09:30 | Registration & Welcome Coffee09:30 – 10:30 | Opening Session Opening Remarks – Organisers & HostsA welcome address introducing the...