EU Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi underlined that the European Union is accelerating reforms to strengthen health sovereignty and resilience, from new pharmaceutical rules to faster pathways from innovation to treatment. Yet beyond regulation and innovation, one fundamental shift stood out — Europe must move from treatment to prevention.

This shift is not theoretical. It reflects a growing consensus that future health systems must prioritise early intervention, mental health, and long-term resilience. In this context, prevention is no longer optional — it is becoming the backbone of Europe’s health strategy.

A New Health Vision: Prevention, Early Intervention, and Wellbeing

Across discussions at the Summit, experts emphasised the urgent need to reach high-risk groups earlier through awareness, education, and preventive action. Health systems must evolve to support healthier lifestyles, longer lives, and stronger communities.

This direction aligns closely with the development of new initiatives in the health tourism and spa sector, which aim to:

• promote healthy lifestyle behaviours among both residents and travellers,
• develop destinations that actively support preventive health,
• integrate spa medicine, mineral water therapies, and nature-based treatments,
• and create tourism products that encourage longevity and quality of life.

Such approaches reflect a broader transformation already recognised within Europe’s health landscape: nature-based, evidence-driven prevention is becoming a key pillar of modern healthcare.

Shared Challenges, Collective Solution

The Summit also highlighted that Europe’s health challenges cannot be addressed in isolation. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressed that today’s threats — from chronic diseases and mental health issues to displacement and poverty — require stronger cross-border cooperation.

This perspective reinforces the importance of transnational networks and shared knowledge. In this context, European health destinations and spa networks represent practical models of collaboration, offering non-pharmaceutical, cross-border solutions for prevention and rehabilitation.

At the same time, the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) delivered a stark warning:
if health systems fail, all other systems follow. Health is no longer just a social issue — it is a strategic asset for Europe’s stability and future.

Mental Health: Europe’s Growing Concern

One of the most urgent topics raised during the Summit was the rapid deterioration of mental health, particularly among younger generations. Policymakers called for immediate and coordinated action, recognising that a healthy population is the foundation of societal resilience.

Here, nature-based therapies — including climate therapy, forest bathing, and spa environments — are increasingly recognised as effective tools to support mental wellbeing. These approaches demonstrate how natural resources can complement traditional healthcare systems, offering accessible and preventive solutions.

The Strategic Role of Health Tourism and Natural Therapies

As Europe faces rising pressure on healthcare systems, new models of care are gaining importance. Prevention, healthy ageing, and resilience are no longer abstract goals — they are practical necessities.

Health tourism and spa-based interventions can play a key role by:

• reducing the burden on hospitals through preventive care,
• supporting rehabilitation and long-term health management,
• decentralising health services across regions,
• and empowering SMEs to deliver high-quality, sustainable health services.

This reflects a broader reality already highlighted in European spa research and policy discussions: medical spas and health destinations are not a luxury, but part of Europe’s health infrastructure .

A Strategic Moment for Europe — and for ESPA

The Euronews Health Summit confirms a decisive shift in Europe’s health priorities. The future will be shaped by:

• prevention,
• healthy ageing,
• mental health support,
• resilience,
• cross-border cooperation,
• and nature-based solutions.

These priorities strongly align with the long-standing mission of the European Spas Association (ESPA), which promotes nature-based prevention, mental wellbeing, and accessible health tourism ecosystems.

Looking Ahead: From Opportunity to Action

Europe now stands at a turning point. The question is no longer whether health systems need to change — but how quickly this transformation can happen.

In this new landscape, organisations and sectors that already deliver preventive, evidence-based, and sustainable health solutions have a unique opportunity to contribute.

More information: https://www.euronews.com/health/2026/03/17/the-biggest-challenge-and-opportunity-euronews-health-summit-key-takeaways

As ITB celebrated its 60th anniversary, the Medical & Health Tourism Pavilion in Hall 4.1 was bigger and more impactful than ever. The European Spas Association was proud to co-create this year’s programme, highlighting the future of evidence-based health tourism, from longevity and regenerative medicine to the healing power of Europe’s traditional thermal waters.

Throughout the event, the pavilion became a dynamic hub for policy discussions, expert panels, networking, and industry exchange, bringing together leading voices from tourism, healthcare, research, and public institutions. Our members from Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Georgia, Germany, Italy, Hungary, Lithuania, Slovenia,  Slovakia, and Romania made the presentation of medical spas perfect. Thank you very much for the contributions! 

ITB Health Destination Award 2026

A special moment during ITB Berlin was the presentation of the ITB Health Destination Award 2026, which was proudly awarded to Italy, represented by Federterme and ENIT.

Italy was recognised for:

• Europe’s largest investments in spa and wellbeing infrastructure, European Spas Innovativation Award winner De Montel thermal spa in Milan is a new milestone in Europes spa world.
• Strong scientific research in balneology through collaboration with universities and the FORST Foundation
• The development of Italcares, a global platform promoting Italian healthcare and thermal medicine 

Italy demonstrates how health tourism can successfully combine medical evidence, cultural heritage, sustainability, and global competitiveness.

Congratulations to Visit Düsseldorf for being awarded the best Medical Tourism Destination 2026! Thank you to all jury members for your valuable work and cooperation; special thanks to ITB!

Strategic Partnership for Women’s Wellbeing

A major highlight of ITB Berlin 2026 was the launch of a strategic collaboration between the Institute of Tourism and the European Spas Association (ESPA) focused on women’s empowerment and wellbeing.

This partnership aims to expand access to evidence-based natural healing services, promote preventive health, and strengthen women’s role in the tourism and health sectors.

The collaboration was focused on:

• Promoting women’s health and preventive wellbeing through spa medicine and natural healing services
• Developing research, studies, and policy recommendations on women’s empowerment
• Supporting female professionals, entrepreneurs, and leaders in tourism and healthcare
• Creating programmes encouraging healthy lifestyles, resilience, and self-care
• Strengthening cooperation with governments and international organisations

A Joint Working Group will soon be established to develop research initiatives and pilot projects that place women’s wellbeing at the centre of sustainable tourism and health strategies.

Dialogue with UN Tourism

During ITB Berlin, the European Spas delegation also held an important meeting with Cordula Wohlmuth, Regional Director Europe of UN Tourism. Discussions focused on strengthening cooperation and expanding knowledge transfer and publications on health tourism within the UN Tourism framework.

There was strong interest in further collaboration on topics such as:

• Quality standards for health destinations
• Health tourism as a driver of sustainable tourism development
• The growing importance of the Silver Economy

At the Global Tourism Summit at the Ritz-Carlton, European Spas representatives also had the opportunity to exchange perspectives with UN Tourism Secretary-General Shaikha Al Nuwais, exploring opportunities to further highlight health tourism and longevity-focused travel at a global level.

Healthy Water Initiative – A Unique Experience

One of the most engaging highlights at the European Spas stand was the “Healthy European Waters” Bar. This interactive concept allowed visitors to experience the diversity and therapeutic qualities of Europe’s mineral waters, sparking inspiring conversations about water as a cornerstone of health and spa medicine.

The initiative was organised in cooperation with the Slovenian Spas Association and the Slovenian Tourist Board, showcasing the strength of European collaboration in health tourism.

Academic Cooperation and Young Talent

European Spas was delighted to welcome Prof. Waldemar Berg, President of the Deggendorf Institute of Technology, for valuable discussions on future academic cooperation.

Special thanks go to our members and colleagues Anke Sponer and George Christian Steckenbauer, whose expertise and contributions to the Medical & Health Tourism Pavilion stage programme were instrumental to the success of our presence at ITB Berlin 2026.

We are also deeply grateful to the students from Deggendorf Institute of Technology, whose energy, professionalism, and creativity helped represent the European Spas Association throughout the entire trade fair. Their engagement truly reflects the future of our sector.

Inspiring Discussions at the Pavilion

The pavilion programme featured numerous high-level discussions, including:

Longevity, Regeneration & Prevention – Beyond the Buzzwords
with leading experts discussing the transformation of preventive healthcare.

Digitalisation in Health Tourism,
exploring education and innovation in cooperation with international partners.

Wellbeing in Tourism – Economic Engine: Impact Today, Value Tomorrow,
highlighting the growing economic importance of health and wellness tourism.

Looking Ahead

ITB Berlin 2026 once again confirmed that health tourism is becoming one of the most dynamic sectors in global travel.

The European Spas Association remains committed to strengthening spa medicine, preventive health, sustainability, and innovation, while building international partnerships that support healthier societies and thriving tourism regions.

Thank you to Thomas Böhmkes, Ophelia Janik and to all our partners for the intensive and successful days!

Supported by Asian Spa and Health Promotion Committee, Guangdong Bath Leisure Association, Guangdong Hot Spring Association and the President of Korean Spa Society, Asia Pool & Spa Expo share the same mission as ESPA to promote spa medicine as a curative and preventive approach, rehabilitation techniques as part of a healthy lifestyle. The partnership will facilitate mutual development and strengthen communication between the European and Asian Spa Industry.

With 17 years of experience, Asia Pool & Spa Expo has proven to be an irreplaceable platform for global enterprises to promote their foreign and domestic business, establish a positive brand image and network with worldwide insiders. Before the pandemic, the show welcomed brands and visitors from over 50 countries and regions each year. With China reopening its borders in 2023, the show will undoubtedly return to its pre-pandemic level of international attendance. The previous edition was demonstrating the tremendous progress China and Asia’s pool and spa industry had made in technology and technique.

The partnership between Asia Pool & Spa Expo and ESPA presents significant prospects for both organizations’ common goals in promoting the spa industry further. We are confident that this collaboration will begin a new era of innovation and cooperation between European and Asian professionals in this field and opens new opportunities and ideas for the advancement of the Spa Industry in Europe and Asia.

The project’s duration is four years, from January 2022 to the end of 2025. Seven universities are part of the project consortium: the Deggendorf Institute of Technology, the University of Economics Prague, the University of Rijeka and Opatija, Budapest Metropolitan University, Caucasus International University in Tbilisi, Georgia, Kherson State University in Ukraine, and Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Ukraine.

The universities in the project are driving change in the field of health tourism and are crucial for the development of the industry. Every year, WURI – World’s Universities with Real Impact evaluates the real contributions that universities have on society, highlighting creative and innovative approaches in research and educational programmes. The score is based on the universities’ industrial application, value-creation and entrepreneurship encouragement, social responsibility, student mobility and openness for exchange and collaboration, crisis management and agility in terms of digital evolution.

The ranking for 2022 includes renowned names such as Stanford, Harvard and Oxford, but also one of ESPA’s advisory members, the Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT) in Germany, which took the 24th spot on the list. One of their international programmes is International Tourism Management / Health & Medical Tourism B.A.

Sustainability

The Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT) is also a leader in sustainability, it being a central topic in all of the programmes, integrated as part of a comprehensive strategy that is supported by students and professors alike. In the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the topic of sustainability has been anchored for a long time, especially in the Environmental Engineering degree programme. Through the various modules, students acquire the competence to reduce energy consumption in buildings, conserve natural resources, make more use of renewable energies and manufacture building materials in an environmentally conscious manner. This enables them to make a significant contribution to the protection of people, nature and the climate in their later careers.

Csilla Mezosi, Secretary General of the European Spas Association is one of the authors. Together with Szilárd Szigeti, Vivien Pásztóová from the J.Selye University – Faculty of Economics and Informatics in Komárno, Slovakia they have examined the impact of Covid-19 on the labour force and recovery peculiarities in the selected countries of Europe. Their goal was to reach patients with post-Covid-19, long-Covid-19 symptoms who were treated since 2020 in different medical spas around Europe.

Csilla Mezosi explained: “More and more people complained of prolonged COVID-19 symptoms after contracting the virus. As April 2022, more than 504.4 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and over 6.2 million related deaths had been reported to WHO. Patients were no longer just knocking on the doors of doctors’ surgeries or hospitals but also on the certified medical spas in Europe. Demand has led European health resorts with hydrotherapy centers and medical spas to develop different treatments (packages of treatments) for each condition, some specialising in respiratory, cardiovascular, neurology, musculoskeletal, mental problems. In the context of COVID-19 disease, the issue of not only the end-stage condition but also changes in work and performance at work and return to work has become a hot topic. In our research, we linked illness and work. How did the illness and subsequent recovery affect work and other aspects of life.“

Complete research can be found at: europeanspas.eu/post-corona-treatments

* ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND SUSTAINABILITY CENTER (ESC) is a public non-profit company, which aims to meet public needs acting in the areas of education, life-long learning, training, scientific research, organizing of scientific, cultural and other events.

Meet us at the Medical Pavilion Stage (HALL 26c) and at the European Spas booth 301A.

From 7 to 9 March 2023 at the Medical Pavilion Stage/Education Hub at ITB Berlin, the European Spas Association together with its key partners and members, will be holding some very interesting discussions. Medical and health tourism plays an important role at ITB Berlin 2023.

Key industry players will be talking about optimisation of spa hotel operations, marketing in health resorts, sustainable investments, nutrition, mental health, and much more. 3 days of business, new connections, exchange and education await.

Programme at the Medical Pavilion Stage HALL 26c

7th March 2023

11.30 – 12.30 h PANEL DISCUSSION: Optimization of spa hotel operations with:

• Martin Plachy, CEO Royal Spa, Czech Republic www.royalspa.cz
• Petra Lelovska, Vice President Ensana Health Spa Hotel Group, www. ensanahotels.com
• Dr.Siyka Katsarova, President BUBSPA, www.bubspa.org/en
• Edgaras Briedys, B2B Sales Director Eglės sanatorija Lithuania, www.medicalspa.lt

16.30 – 17.00 h EXPERT INTERVIEW: Implementation of successful communication of health resorts: green-active-healthy

• Iztok Altbauer, Managing Director, Slovenian Spas Association, www.slovenia-spa.si

17.00 – 17.30 h EXPERT INTERVIEW: Healing power of the sea – Thalasso

• Marlies Sobczak, CEO Vita-Con Consultancy, Netherlands, www.europeanspas.eu/thalasso-working-group/

8th March 2023

14.30 – 15.30 h PANEL DISCUSSION: New Products in health tourism – combining nature and sustainable investments with:

• Iuliana Tasie, General Manager, Ana Hotels Eforie Nord, Romania, anahotels.ro
• Ivana Kolar, CEO of Julius Rose Business consulting, www.turizam365.com
• Dr. Michael Feld, Specialist for sleep disorders, Germany

15.30 – 16.00 h Nutrition – from ordinary to extraordinary / Overfed, but undersupplied
How to improve your clients´ diet?

• Alexandra Friedhoff, Nutrition and Health Coach (LCHF), Germany, https://www.alexandrafriedhoff.de

16.00 – 16.30 h EXPERT INTERVIEW – Evolution and Expansion of Ensana Hotels

• Frank Halmos, CEO Ensana Health Spa Hotel Group, www.ensanahotels.com

9th March 2023

10.30 – 11.00 h EXPERT INTERVIEW- Growing demand for mental health, Thierry Dubois President European Spas Association and representing Thermes Saujon, France, www.thermes-saujon.fr

11:00-11:30 EXPERT INTERVIEW- The chances of high security of supply and independence from market fluctuations through renewable energies, Christoph Waser, CEO, W&P Engineering, www.wpeng.de

13:00-13:30 PANEL DISCUSSION about Prevention and Wellbeing – key focus areas and strategies for Growths Csilla Mezősi, Secretary General of European Spas Association

16.25–17.10 WOMEN AND MEDICAL TOURISM by European HTI Summit, hticonference.com

CONVENTION Hall 3.1

In the evening of 9th March, starting at 7 p.m., the ITB Medical & Health Night will take place at the Amaro Hotel Grand Central, featuring the presentation of the ITB Medical & Health Tourism Award 2023 in partnership with European Spas Association.

See you at ITB 2023!

HALL 26c booth 301A