Throughout the event, the pavilion became a dynamic hub for\u00a0policy discussions, expert panels, networking, and industry exchange<\/strong>, 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,\u00a0 Slovakia, and Romania made the presentation of medical spas perfect. Thank you very much for the contributions!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n A special moment during ITB Berlin was the presentation of the ITB Health Destination Award 2026<\/strong>, which was proudly awarded to Italy, represented by Federterme and ENIT<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Italy was recognised for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Europe\u2019s largest investments in spa and wellbeing infrastructure, <\/strong>European Spas Innovativation Award winner De Montel thermal spa in Milan i<\/strong>s a new milestone in Europes spa world. Italy demonstrates how health tourism can successfully combine medical evidence, cultural heritage, sustainability, and global competitiveness<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Congratulations to Visit D\u00fcsseldorf 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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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)<\/strong> focused on women\u2019s empowerment and wellbeing<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The collaboration was focused on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Promoting women\u2019s health and preventive wellbeing through spa medicine and natural healing services<\/strong> A Joint Working Group<\/strong> will soon be established to develop research initiatives and pilot projects that place women\u2019s wellbeing at the centre of sustainable tourism and health strategies<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During ITB Berlin, the European Spas delegation also held an important meeting with Cordula Wohlmuth, Regional Director Europe of UN Tourism<\/strong>. Discussions focused on strengthening cooperation and expanding knowledge transfer and publications on health tourism<\/strong> within the UN Tourism framework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There was strong interest in further collaboration on topics such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Quality standards for health destinations<\/strong> At the Global Tourism Summit at the Ritz-Carlton<\/strong>, European Spas representatives also had the opportunity to exchange perspectives with UN Tourism Secretary-General Shaikha Al Nuwais<\/strong>, exploring opportunities to further highlight health tourism and longevity-focused travel<\/strong> at a global level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the most engaging highlights at the European Spas stand was the\u00a0\u201cHealthy European Waters\u201d Bar<\/strong>. This interactive concept allowed visitors to experience the\u00a0diversity and therapeutic qualities of Europe\u2019s mineral waters<\/strong>, sparking inspiring conversations about\u00a0water as a cornerstone of health and spa medicine<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The initiative was organised in cooperation with the Slovenian Spas Association and the Slovenian Tourist Board<\/strong>, showcasing the strength of European collaboration in health tourism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n European Spas was delighted to welcome Prof. Waldemar Berg, President of the Deggendorf Institute of Technology<\/strong>, for valuable discussions on future academic cooperation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Special thanks go to our members and colleagues Anke Sponer<\/strong> and George Christian Steckenbauer<\/strong>, whose expertise and contributions to the Medical & Health Tourism Pavilion stage programme<\/strong> were instrumental to the success of our presence at ITB Berlin 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We are also deeply grateful to the\u00a0students from Deggendorf Institute of Technology<\/strong>, whose energy, professionalism, and creativity helped represent the European Spas Association throughout the entire trade fair. Their engagement truly reflects\u00a0the future of our sector<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The pavilion programme featured numerous high-level discussions, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Longevity, Regeneration & Prevention \u2013 Beyond the Buzzwords<\/strong> Digitalisation in Health Tourism<\/strong>, Wellbeing in Tourism \u2013 Economic Engine: Impact Today, Value Tomorrow<\/strong>, ITB Berlin 2026 once again confirmed that health tourism is becoming one of the most dynamic sectors in global travel<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The European Spas Association remains committed to strengthening spa medicine, preventive health, sustainability, and innovation<\/strong>, while building international partnerships that support healthier societies and thriving tourism regions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thank you to Thomas B\u00f6hmkes, Ophelia Janik and to all our partners for the intensive and successful days!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Celebrating 60 Years of ITB with Innovation in Health Tourism 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\u2019s programme, highlighting the future of evidence-based health tourism, from longevity and regenerative medicine to the healing power of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7119,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[62,61,66],"tags":[690,695,144,692,694,141,691,693],"class_list":{"0":"post-7117","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-events","8":"category-news","9":"category-partner-news","10":"tag-60-years","11":"tag-espa-30-years","12":"tag-european-spas","13":"tag-health-destination-award","14":"tag-healthy-water-initiative","15":"tag-itb-berlin","16":"tag-medical-health-tourism-pavilion","17":"tag-womens-wellbeing"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/europeanspas.eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7117","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/europeanspas.eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/europeanspas.eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/europeanspas.eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/europeanspas.eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7117"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/europeanspas.eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7117\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7125,"href":"https:\/\/europeanspas.eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7117\/revisions\/7125"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/europeanspas.eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7119"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/europeanspas.eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7117"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/europeanspas.eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7117"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/europeanspas.eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7117"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\n\n\n\nITB Health Destination Award 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Strong scientific research in balneology<\/strong> through collaboration with universities and the FORST Foundation<\/strong>
\u2022 The development of Italcares<\/strong>, a global platform promoting Italian healthcare and thermal medicine <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nStrategic Partnership for Women\u2019s Wellbeing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Developing research, studies, and policy recommendations on women\u2019s empowerment<\/strong>
\u2022 Supporting female professionals, entrepreneurs, and leaders in tourism and healthcare<\/strong>
\u2022 Creating programmes encouraging healthy lifestyles, resilience, and self-care<\/strong>
\u2022 Strengthening cooperation with governments and international organisations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nDialogue with UN Tourism<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Health tourism as a driver of sustainable tourism development<\/strong>
\u2022 The growing importance of the Silver Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nHealthy Water Initiative \u2013 A Unique Experience<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nAcademic Cooperation and Young Talent<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nInspiring Discussions at the Pavilion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
with leading experts discussing the transformation of preventive healthcare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
exploring education and innovation in cooperation with international partners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
highlighting the growing economic importance of health and wellness tourism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nLooking Ahead<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/europeanspas.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ITB-2026-1024x633.jpg\")
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/europeanspas.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ITB-2026_angola-1024x796.jpg\")
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