4–6 June 2025 | Ensana Thermal Margaret Island, Budapest
The Thermal Tourism Congress 2025 took place from 4 to 6 June 2025 at the renowned Ensana Thermal Margaret Island in Budapest. The event was hosted by the European Historic Thermal Towns Association (EHTTA), Budapest Spas, and UN Tourism, and powered by Ensana. The European Spas Association (ESPA)joined as a supporting partner.
Mayor’s Summit and Welcome Reception
The Congress officially opened on 4 June with the Mayor’s Summit, co-hosted by Riccardo Mortandello, EHTTA President and Mayor of Montegrotto Terme (Italy), and Isidre Pineda, EHTTA Vice President and Mayor of Caldes de Montbui (Catalonia). The opening was followed by a Welcome Reception, where Mark Hennebry, President of Ensana Health Spa Hotels, and his team welcomed delegates and set the tone for the days ahead.
Destination Forum
On 5 June, the Destination Forum featured a series of engaging panel discussions led by prominent experts in the thermal tourism sector. Key topics included the current state of the thermal tourism market, insights into consumer expectations across different segments, and strategies for defining and developing new thermal destinations.
Session “Where Is the Evidence? What Certain Market Segments Understand & Expect?”
was chaired by Ms. Csilla Mezősi, Secretary General of the European Spas Association.
The panelists included:
– Ms. Huseynli, who presented the current and future goals of research programs focused on medical and environmental subjects. She shared updates on publications related to cancer aftercare and new models of virtual reality technologies in medical spa rehabilitation.
– Dr. Ms. Ruzicska, presented the healing effects of mud treatment at Ensana destinations, including Héviz, Piešťany, and Sovata. She discussed how these natural remedies aid in the recovery of many individuals. She highlighted the various packages that Ensana offers to help reduce the pain of people suffering from chronic diseases.
– Dr. Ms. Zálesáková, who highlighted the collection of patient data at a Slovak rehabilitation center. She explained how this information is used to develop new certified programs in spa centers. These programs address issues such as spine disorders, obesity, and cancer aftercare, and are accepted by health insurance providers.
–Mr. Ali Ghamman, President, Observatoire du Tourisme Morocco (Morocco) explained about the new developments in thalasso therapy in Morocco
Alina Huseynli, Director, Institute of Spa and Balneology, Karlovy Vary (Czechia), Dr. Eva Ruzicska, Head Physician, Ensana Hungary, Dr. Janka Zálesáková, President, Slovak Spa Association (Slovakia)
Sustainability Forum
Sustainability was another key focus of the Congress, addressed during the Sustainability Forum chaired by Simone Zagrodnik, Executive Director of EHTTA. Discussions centred around the transition of thermal destinations toward actionable innovation and long-term sustainable practices.
A Vision for the Future
With the statement “Sustainable Destinations for the Future”, the Congress underscored the vital role of thermal tourism in advancing sustainability, preserving heritage, and revitalising rural regions in the post-COVID world:
»Thermal tourism is considered one of those fields of tourism which could experience the greatest growth after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tourists will be looking for wellness experiences, immersing themselves in the destinations and interacting with local inhabitants. It is necessary to explore connections with other cultural and natural resources to create new and better sustainable thermal products. Thermal Tourism is a powerful tool to contribute to safeguarding the world’s thermal heritage (natural, cultural and intangible) and to provide socio-economic benefits, including the dynamisation of rural areas and the creation of stable employment and income-earning opportunities. Thermal tourism needs to be recognised as an instrument for sustainable development and as a model for other tourism sectors or products.«
On behalf of the European Travel Commission, Mr. Miguel Gallego presented inspiring figures from Europe. His presence conveys a powerful message: the European market specializes in thermal-based relaxation and healing effects, supported by high-quality infrastructure and expertise. It is essential to promote these aspects more effectively to improve their visibility in overseas markets.
Furthermore, the audience explored several innovative topics that are likely to shape the future. One of these topics is Longevity, led by Petra Bailey, Vice President of Ensana. This session focused on new approaches to enhancing lifespan and well-being. Additionally, we explored the concept of “TikTokization” and its effects on engaging with Gen Z, particularly in the context of Health Tourism, a discussion led by Ivana Kolar. These sessions offered valuable insights into emerging trends and effective communication strategies within the industry.
More information about the congress can be found on the website: https://thethermalcongress.com.
Video recordings are available on YouTube for Thursday, June 5th and Friday, June 6th
