We are deeply honoured to receive this inspiring message from Ms. Ekaterina Zaharieva, EU Commissioner, on the occasion of the 30th Anniversary Congress of the European Spas Association.

Her words highlight the vital role of Europe’s medical spas and natural health resorts in advancing preventive healthcare, sustainable tourism, and climate-responsive wellbeing.

“Reaching three decades of leadership in promoting preventive healthcare, sustainable tourism, and climate-responsive wellness is an extraordinary achievement. Your continued dedication to positioning Europe’s medical spas and natural health resorts at the forefront of innovation is both visionary and deeply aligned with the EU’s goals for longevity, resilience, and green transformation.”

This recognition reinforces our shared mission — to bridge tradition and innovation, ensuring that Europe’s healing destinations remain key contributors to longevity, resilience, and sustainable development.

We thank Commissioner Zaharieva and the European institutions for acknowledging our collective efforts. Together, we continue building a healthier and more sustainable Europe — one where nature, science, and wellbeing go hand in hand.

The SPA-CE B2B Workshop, held as part of the European Spas Association Annual Congress, once again proved to be a highly effective platform for fostering business connections in the spa and health-tourism sector. The event brought together travel agencies, tour operators, and patient organisations on one side, and leading European medical spas and health resorts on the other. Four member countries of the European Spas Association — Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania and Slovenia — presented their wellness and medical-spa offerings to carefully selected hosted buyers from across Europe.

In close cooperation with the hosting destination, Haapsalu, an innovative and immersive programme was prepared. It began in Tallinn, where participants enjoyed a guided stroll through the storybook Old Town, followed by a relaxed dinner at the Kalev Spa Hotel and evening sauna rituals.

Rolling workshop

Day two featured the “Rolling Workshop,” taking attendees to Estonia’s iconic spa resort city of Pärnu. Exhibitors and hosted buyers visited some of the country’s leading medical spas — Tervis, Viiking, Tervise Paradiis, and Estonia Medical Spa — gaining a hands-on understanding of treatments, innovation, and the essence of Estonian wellness. The group then continued to Haapsalu, where a cosy gathering at the castle set the tone for the days ahead.

Pre-scheduled meetings

Day three centred on business and knowledge exchange. During pre-scheduled B2B meetings, hosted buyers explored preventive and wellness programmes from several European countries:

• Estonia: Mineral water baths, relaxing treatments, and nature-inspired activities designed to restore balance and vitality
• Hungary: Traditional Hévíz therapy, combining mineral-rich waters, mud treatments, and favourable climate conditions
• Lithuania: Healing mud, mineral water therapies, and pristine natural environments
• Slovenia: Mindfulness, self-wellness, anti-stress rituals, and longevity programmes

The evening Gala Dinner and ESPA Innovation Awards illuminated the historic Haapsalu Resort Hall, celebrating remarkable achievements in the spa and wellness sector.

► Full programme: https://europeanspas.eu/spa-ce-programme/

► List of exhibitors: https://europeanspas.eu/spa-ce-exhibitors/

Satisfaction Survey

A satisfaction survey among hosted buyers revealed exceptionally strong approval, confirming the workshop’s status as a highly valuable platform for B2B networking, industry insights, and destination promotion within the European spa and health tourism sector.

The primary motivation for attending was the opportunity to participate in B2B meetings (80%), followed by interest in health tourism, discovering Estonia’s spa offerings, and networking with industry peers.

Participants rated the workshop 9.6/10, with all respondents giving a score of 9 or 10. A full 80% said the event fully met their expectations, while the remaining 20% said it met them partly.

The SPA-CE team received 100% “very satisfied” ratings for communication, timeliness, and professionalism. The hosting destination, Estonia, also earned high marks, with 80% of buyers “very satisfied.” Event dates, logistics, and the overall atmosphere were unanimously evaluated as excellent.

The Rolling Workshop to Pärnu was highlighted as a major strength, praised for its organisation and the relevance of the information shared. A few participants noted that the schedule was tight and suggested allowing more time for visits and interactions — valuable input for planning the next edition.

Networking opportunities received 80% “very satisfied”, and the overall quality of appointments was highly rated. The B2Match platform was well received, and exhibitors were evaluated positively.

All social events — including the dinner at Kalev Spa, the welcome reception in Haapsalu, and the ESPA Innovation Awards — received top scores. Catering at the Cultural Centre contributed significantly to the positive experience.

Exceptional organisation and communication remain core strengths of the SPA-CE team. Estonia, as the hosting destination, impressed participants with its hospitality and professionalism, and many expressed their intention to return.

Digital transformation was another major thread running throughout the congress. Speakers examined how tools such as digital health platforms, VR applications, and even robotics can support both spa treatments and the broader preventive-health ecosystem. Representatives from international organizations, including WHO, discussed how digitalization can strengthen cooperation between medical spas and public health institutions.

The congress also confronted the growing challenges of climate change. Experts shared strategies for improving the climate resilience of spa towns, with emphasis on geothermal resources, energy-efficient solutions, and the creation of nature-based environments that support both ecological sustainability and human wellbeing. The “Blue Health” concept – exploring how coastal and water-rich environments contribute to mental and physical health – added an inspiring environmental dimension.

Balneology remained at the heart of the programme, with scientific presentations on natural healing resources such as mineral waters and therapeutic muds. Researchers shared new findings on the composition, quality, and sustainable use of these resources, including studies on clinical applications for stress, burnout, fibromyalgia, and long COVID. Traditional practices like Estonia’s UNESCO-recognized smoke sauna were also showcased as living examples of cultural and therapeutic heritage.

A strong focus on people – both patients and professionals – shaped many discussions. Sessions on skills development examined how the spa sector must adapt to new expectations, technologies, and population needs, including active ageing and workplace wellbeing. Medical and scientific working groups met alongside local leaders and spa-town mayors, strengthening the network of stakeholders who collectively support Europe’s health destinations.

Complete programme is available at the website

Innovation received a spotlight during the dedicated innovation sessions and the ESPA Innovation Awards, celebrating forward-looking ideas in wellness, health tourism, and spa medicine. Between the scientific sessions, participants also enjoyed cultural events — including a reception in Haapsalu Castle and a gala evening – reinforcing the importance of culture and place in the identity of spa destinations.

The congress concluded with a visit to the Haapsalu Neurological Rehabilitation Centre, grounding the discussions in real-world practice and reminding participants of the essential role spas can play in rehabilitation and long-term recovery.

Results of the satisfaction survey among participants

The most appreciated sessions included:

–Dr. Malina Müller’s keynote – “The Return on Investment of Better Health”
-The panel “Europe’s Hidden Healthcare Power” with Alina Huseynli, Claudia Wagner, Meglena Plugtschieva, Claude-Eugene Bouvier; Patrick H. Carpentier, MD
-Sessions on health, Trigger Points, Strategies & Priorities in Health, Wellbeing, and Prevention

Hosting destination, Visit Haapsalu in beautiful #Estonia, and the local organizing team both received over 90% top-level ratings for their hospitality and professionalism.

Networking opportunities (92.9%) and programme content were also rated as very good by nearly all respondents.

A special mention goes to the “We Trust in #mud” activity and the visit to the Haapsalu Rehabilitation Centre, both of which are described by many as inspiring and insightful.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our hosts, distinguished speakers, panellists, sponsors, and attendees for sharing their expertise and passion for health, prevention, and wellbeing.

More photos can be found here

With a degree in business administration and hotel management she started her professional career over 25 years ago, worked for various media outlets, headed the Marketing and Press Department GSA of Disneyland Resort Paris, ran as Managing Director the international destination marketing agency Aviareps Tourism before she founded her own company CSI Consultancy. 

Anke contributes to several local and international associations such as ESPA, Quality in Health Prevention (QUHEP), European Health Tourism Industry (HTI), Health Care Bavaria, American-German Business Club, Marketing Club. Since 2017 she is a local politician in the city of Munich, particularly involved in the areas of health, education, and social affairs.

At the European Spas & Balneology Congress 2025 in Haapsalu, she will participate in the panel discussion “Europe’s Hidden Healthcare Power. Why Spas Belong in the Future of Public Health?” 

Climate Resilience and Energy Efficiency in Thermal Spa Regions.
Strategies for supporting greener, more resilient spa cities and rural destinations, including innovative geothermal solutions from Iceland and the Interreg Europe “GreenSPAS” project on climate change adaptation policies in European spa regions.

Since 1982, the graduate business economist of tourism (FH) accompanies and shapes the success story of the company significantly.  Due to her expertise in the field of healthy travel in Europe, she discovered the great potential in the areas of wellness, spa, and Ayurveda in the early 90s and started offering Ayurveda treatments in Sri Lanka and later also in India in 1992 – making Fit Reisen the first company to offer Ayurveda holidays in Germany. In 1995 she expanded the Fit Reisen portfolio with health packages focusing on Detox, Anti-Stress, Selfcare, Weight Loss, Wellness Clinic,  and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in worldwide health resorts. With her many years of experience and expertise in this field and her good sense for trends, she has been continuously expanding the product range ever since. In addition, she advises hotels on how to put together attractive packages.  Claudia Wagner sees the focus on one’s own health as the current trend. She explains: “Holistic health is the new status symbol of our time. The desire to be mentally and physically fit into old age is more present than ever and awakens the interest to promote one’s well-being in a preventive way.

Fit Reisen, tour operator for Wellbeing Stays & Health Holidays for 50 years according to our motto “Travel to feel good and stay fit and in shape”. 

The portfolio includes 1,100 hotels at 400 destinations in 50 countries with the largest selection of Active Fitness Holidays, revitalizing medical Spa-, Prevention Holidays, Thermal, Kneipp, Fango and Fasting cures, Ayurveda & Yoga Retreats, Wellness in Nature, Health & Spa packages for detox, optimal fitness and weight management , anti-stress , rebalancing and many more. There are many ways to do this, from holistic and natural healing retreats to health spa hotels using the latest in modern spa medicine and medical wellness.

At the European Spas & Balneology Congress 2025 in Haapsalu, she will participate in the panel discussion “Europe’s Hidden Healthcare Power. Why Spas Belong in the Future of Public Health?”

At the European Spas & Balneology Congress 2025 in Haapsalu, she will participate in the panel discussion “Europe’s Hidden Healthcare Power. Why Spas Belong in the Future of Public Health?”

At the European Spas & Balneology Congress 2025 in Haapsalu, she will participate in the panel discussion “Europe’s Hidden Healthcare Power. Why Spas Belong in the Future of Public Health?” She will give insight into how to think from a political person’s perspective to lobby for health, innovation, and tourism. 

As an active member of the Scientific Committee of the European Historic Thermal Towns Association (EHTTA) and a frequent speaker at international conferences, she contributes to advancing spa and health tourism across Europe.

At the European Spas & Balneology Congress 2025 in Haapsalu, she will participate in the panel discussion “Europe’s Hidden Healthcare Power. Why Spas Belong in the Future of Public Health?”. In her opening statement, she will emphasize the crucial role of spas within the public healthcare system and highlight their potential in prevention, rehabilitation, and overall public health strategies.