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 award. As the only full-scale university in the western region of Lithuania – a region with a vibrant industrial and commercial base – Klaipeda University has dedicated over three decades to advancing scientific and academic excellence. Our commitment has always been to support sustainable development and growth through three core strategic directions: towards sustainable technologies, blue and green growth and a healthy sea, towards sustainable health and wellbeeing with the aim of provision of smart solutions for sustainable development of the society, its health and wellbeing, and towards society and culture on the Baltic coast. For 13 years, we have been pioneering research in medical spa sciences, blending traditional methods with cutting-edge scientific approaches. I believe the jury recognized our unique, holistic approach, which integrates the therapeutic benefits of natural resources with rigorous research to develop innovative and sustainable wellness solutions. This recognition reflects the dedication of our researchers, our commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, and our efforts to provide a range of diagnostic tools and treatment modalities backed by robust scientific evidence. We’re incredibly proud of this achievement and excited to continue advancing wellness research for the benefit of our community and beyond.

2. Nowadays, people’s daily lives are subjected to high levels of stress and dynamism, and this can worsen the quality of life and cause serious health issues. What are the alternatives? What do your studies show, and could the effect of natural resources improve people’s health and reduce their stress?

Humanity has indeed made remarkable progress over the past century, from advances in food security, housing, and education to improvements in medical care and human rights. One would think these strides would translate into higher levels of mental well-being, yet we’re facing an opposite trend. Despite these advancements, stress remains a pervasive issue, impacting both physical and mental health. It’s a factor in up to 90% of major diseases and adverse events, such as heart disease, cancer, and even suicide, with around 8 of 10 people reporting stress that affects their physical health. The World Health Organization’s Comprehensive Action Plan for Mental Health 2013-2030 highlights mental health as a cornerstone for achieving overall health, advocating for strategies to promote mental well-being and prevent mental health issues.

Our research explores the role of natural resources—such as mineral waters, therapeutic muds, and nature therapy procedures—as effective tools for enhancing both physical and mental health. Our findings confirm that a 3-day to 2-week nature-based treatment, primarily through balneotherapy and particularly beneficial during winter, and in inpatient mode, can significantly reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and fatigue. With effects lasting up to six months, these treatments improve sleep, skin health, and cardiovascular, and respiratory health. Our data show that natural therapies reduce stress by 55%, and positively impact a range of mental health issues.

These holistic treatments offer a sustainable, safe, and impactful approach to reducing stress, preventing psychoneurological disorders, and supporting rehabilitation. When combined with a balanced lifestyle, natural therapies can help address the adverse effects of modern life. This study provides valuable insights into mitigating the lasting stress effects from the COVID-19 pandemic and underscores the potential for Lithuania to become a leader in innovative spa treatments in the Baltic Sea region. By promoting health tourism and supporting economic recovery, we can make a positive impact on both individual health and the wider community.

Our research highlighted the importance of collaboration between scientists and practitioners, bringing together Klaipėda University, the National Association of Medical Spa and Rehabilitation Centers (Lithuania), the Lithuanian Resort Association, and the Ministry of Economy and Innovation of Lithuania. Without these partnerships such achievements and research advancements would not have been possible.

3. After Covid-19, more and more medical programs are becoming part of the tourist industry, as they allow people to combine their vacations with useful procedures for their bodies and health. How do you think medical tourism will develop in the aftermath of the world pandemic?

The pandemic has fundamentally changed how we perceive both travel and health. The extended health impacts, including fatigue, anxiety, and reduced physical fitness, have brought a new level of urgency to self-care and personal well-being. As people become more aware of preventive health, nature-based wellness has emerged as a societal need, especially given the pressures of an ageing population, workplace stress, and often strained healthcare systems. Nature-based wellness is increasingly valued not only as a retreat but as an essential practice for restoring balance in body, mind, and spirit.

This shift in priorities has created a significant opportunity for all spas to expand their focus, offering sustainable, nature-based wellness programs designed to support recovery and enhance overall health. By developing innovative, nature-focused routes and programs, we not only improve public health but also boost the region’s economic resilience and visibility. Cross-border collaborations could help diversify year-round nature tourism, reduce seasonality, create new business opportunities, and generate local employment.

Medical tourism, which merges wellness treatments with leisure travel, is also set to grow as people seek out vacations that go beyond relaxation to actively support their health. Lithuania has a long tradition of medical spas that integrate wellness and rehabilitation, and we see tremendous potential in this approach. By blending relaxation, recovery, and preventive care, we believe the future of medical tourism is bright. Klaipeda University has been at the forefront of research in this field, and we are excited to see Lithuania become a leading destination for health-focused tourism, offering travelers the opportunity to improve their well-being while discovering a new part of the world.

In the context of COVID-19, several Lithuanian health resorts, including Draugystė Mineral SPA, Eglės Sanatorija, SPA VILNIUS Druskininkai, UPA Medical SPA, Grand SPA Lietuva, Gradiali, and Energetikas, have created special programs to support clients recovering from COVID. They emphasize a personalized and holistic approach, which is a key strength of Lithuania’s sanatorium and resort-based treatments.

At the recent ESPA Congress, 84 participants simultaneously performed a hand mud treatment aimed at setting a record.

4. Can you tell us more about the history of the Lithuanian Spas?

In Lithuania, the healing properties of mineral waters from places like Druskininkai, Birštonas, and Smardonė have been recognized since the 13th–16th centuries. The first scientific methodologies were documented in Ignacy Fonberg’s monograph “Description of the Mineral Waters of Druskininkai” (1838), establishing a foundation for the scientific validation of these natural resources. Historically, Lithuania has played a significant role in the scientific investigation of therapeutic and experimental factors in resorts during the 20th century, with a dedicated laboratory for resort science led by Dr. V. Meška. This research center has done lot of experiments, developed methodological guidelines, and over 80 dissertations were defended.

5. One of the biggest challenges facing the tourist industry is the need for qualified professionals. Do young people have an interest in your educational programs, with which they could succeed afterwards in the tourism industry?

Yes, there is a growing interest among young people in the intersection of health, wellness, and tourism, and Klaipeda University offers specialized programs to prepare students for success in the tourism and hospitality industries. Our Recreation and Tourism program focuses on developing skills in health tourism and e-tourism. This program emphasizes both the scientific foundations of health and the latest trends in wellness tourism, providing students with practical knowledge in managing medical spa facilities. Our students are encouraged to build strong theoretical and hands-on expertise, making them highly competitive and well-prepared for the global tourism market. We also offer programs in Public Health, Healthcare management, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Physiotherapy, Ergotherapy, and other specialized programmes within our Holistic Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, as well as Leisure sports in our Sports Department.

6. The awards indicate to innovators that they have the vision and that they are going in the right direction. Will the ESPA’s recognition stimulate you for new achievements, and what does this award mean to you?

This award is a tremendous motivation for our entire team and for Klaipeda University. It validates that we’re on the right path, advancing innovation in medical wellness and rehabilitation. It’s a deep honour that reinforces our commitment to research and development in areas like nature-based wellness, sustainable tourism, and mental health enhancement through natural resources. This recognition not only elevates our work but opens doors for collaboration with researchers globally, helping us make an even greater difference in the field.

For me personally, this award is a significant acknowledgment from the ESPA community, validating my dedication to making a difference by developing safe, effective nature-based programs that benefit individuals and society as a whole. It’s a reminder of the importance of continued innovation, and we’re excited to pursue even greater achievements in the future.

7. The annual congress of the European SPAS Association in Druskininkai (Lithuania) is now part of history. We witnessed some extremely interesting and useful presentations. I would like to ask you to make an assessment of the hosts and the organizers of the event, which is a significant part of the world tourism calendar.

The European SPAS Association congress in Druskininkai was an outstanding event. The hosts and organizers did a remarkable job of bringing together industry leaders, researchers, and professionals from all over the Europe. The presentations were not only informative but also thought-provoking, covering a wide range of topics that are crucial for the future of wellness tourism. The congress program was impressively comprehensive, covering a wide range of critical topics in the spa and wellness industry, all of which are highly relevant to current trends and future directions in health tourism. The sessions addressed diverse areas, from innovative approaches in medical wellness to economic perspectives in tourism, offering invaluable insights for both industry professionals and researchers.

Key topics “Charting New Horizons: Shaping the Future of Health Tourism” and “Perspectives of European Health Resorts,” which provided forward-looking discussions on the evolving spa industry and the challenges and opportunities it faces. Presentations on SPA Business Architecture and workforce solutions highlighted practical strategies for enhancing client comfort and staff well-being, which are essential for sustainable growth in this field. Another standout area was the emphasis on technology and education, specifically how they contribute to quality and sustainability in spa care, demonstrating the role of innovation in the industry.

Nature-based treatment modalities were thoroughly explored, with sessions on Climate-based Treatments, Spa Medicine & Prevention, and Balneology, underscoring the importance of evidence-based approaches in preventive care and rehabilitation. A particularly interesting segment was the focus on the potential role of European spas in preventing non-communicable diseases, a key area for future health impact. Additionally, there was a strong focus on specific populations, such as children, with sessions like Balneology in Children’s Health offering targeted insights and solutions for these unique wellness needs. reflecting the growing importance of mental well-being and the benefits of digital detox, particularly for children’s health. The session on Healing Forests further illustrated how natural environments can play a role in physical and mental wellness.

Overall, the hosts and organizers of this event curated a world-class program, balancing high-level discussions with practical insights. Their dedication to creating a space for knowledge-sharing and forward-thinking discussions solidifies this congress as a premier event in the global tourism calendar, fostering meaningful progress in the health and wellness sectors.

Druskininkai, with its rich history of wellness treatments, was the perfect location for such an event. I am grateful for the opportunity to participate and contribute to the discussions, and we look forward to future collaborations in this thriving field.

Interview prepared by Ruslan Yordanov.