Annual Congress of Spa and Spa Tourism, September 18-21. Because only together we can increase Romania's reputation as a spa & spa destination worldwide. 

Because together we can identify realistic solutions for the fastest development of the local market, as well as for synchronization with international trends in health tourism on the 2 components: treatment and prevention / relaxation.

We are pleased to announce that the 15th edition of the Annual Congress of Spa and Spa Tourism will take place at Afrodita Resort & SPA, Baile Herculane, in the interval September 18-21, in a new concept - integrating the Romanian Spa Tourism Forum and Exchange organized by OPTBR and SPA Business Networking Event, organized in the past by despreSpa.ro. 

The event will end with Romanian Spa and Spa Tourism Gala - 1st edition. The prizes will be offered by OPTBR - member of ESPA (European SPA Association), following the ESPA model of application evaluation. Mrs. Csilla Mezosi - Secretary General of ESPA - will attend the Gala.

Annual Congress of Spa and Spa Tourism, September 18-21. Program of the Annual Congress of Romanian Spa and Balnear Tourism

Wednesday, September 18:

Arrival of participants si welcome smoothie
Check-In
15:00 - Registration of Congress participants
16:00 - 19:00: short excursion (city tour / excursion to Sisi's Foisoarele)
19:30 - Welcome Cocktail offered by Christian Tour
20:00 - Dinner

Thursday, September 19:

8:00 - 8 45 - smoothie and morning stretching - optional
8:00 - 9:45 breakfast
10:00 - 13:15: Session 1

Opening Speech: Mr. Nicu Radulescu - President OPTBR

1. Background & International Projects in Europe:

1.1. Bogdan Gheorghe Trif - Minister of Tourism

1.2. Csilla Mezosi - Secretary General ESPA

• World Health Organization Project
• ESPA Projects & Initiatives

1.3. Cristian Nacu - Senior Country Officer Romania & Moldova: IFC - Financing opportunities for the private sector

1.4. Ioana Marian - Secretary General OPTBR: OPTBR Projects

2. Trends in hospitality - Balneo & Spa markets:

• Mike Wallace: What makes a successful thermal destination
• Tobias Bielenstein: How to promote a balneo - spa destination
• Natasa Ranitovic: Quality standards and best practice example in Serbia

Lunch (13:15 - 14:40)

Session 2 - 14:30 - 18:30:

1. Panel discussion "The role of the Spa Therapist" with Daniela Dumitru - SPA Trainer, Dr.Mihaela Cucu (Ana Aslan Health Spa - Hotel Europa, Eforie Nord), Sorin Vasilache (Sheiseido SPA, Stejarii Country Club) (40 min.)

2. Maria Rendes: Spa treatment room. Features (20 min)

3. Presentations / panel discussions: Complementary services in the spa and spa offer (40 min)

4. Victor Catavei (SC Consult Investment): "Analyzing the behavior of consumers of spa and spa tourism services in order to increase the adaptability of the activity to the trend imposed by the market conjuncture"

5. Best Practices (40 min):

a) Danubius (the only international spa chain in Romania) - 10 min
b) Afrodita Resort (this year's winner of SPA Concept - ESPA) - 10 min
c) Shiseido SPA (the only international Spa in Romania - winner of numerous SPA Awards in Europe and America) - 10 min

17:00 - 17:20 - smoothie serving (20 min)

6. Balneo and natural healing factors (60 min):

• Dr. Mihaela Cucu (Ana Aslan Health SPA, Hotel Europa, Eforie Nord) - The place of prevention in the spa offer (30 min.)
• Dr. Gabriela Dogaru - Results of the latest studies in balneology research conducted by the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca (20 min.)

18:30 - 19:00 Tour Herculum SPA @ Afrodita Resort, 2019 winner of the SPA Concept category, ESPA Awards

19:00 - 19:30 Free time

19:30 - Wine tasting Domeniile Samburesti
20:00 - Dinner

Friday, September 20

8:00 - 8:45 - smoothie and morning stretching
8:00 - 9:45 - breakfast

10:00 - 11:30 Session 1:
Interactive discussions with representatives of the Ministries of Tourism and Health:

1. Spa Legislation
2. MDGs in Spa Resorts (invited guests from the Ministry of Tourism and other Organizations)
3. Spa Vouchers

11:30 – 13:30 - Coffee Break & Quick Business Meetings - table discussions (in rotation): hoteliers - travel agencies / event sponsors

13:30 -14:45: Lunch

15:00 - 18:00: Session 2 - panel discussions:

I. Panel discussion:

Communication in Balneo & Spa: "The right mix of Social Media, online and offline dictates performance" (75 min)
Speakers: Diana Cotoros (Prime Road Media), Ovidiu Muresan (Optimpro), Arpad Godra (Danubius Hotels Sovata)

II. Panel discussion:

"Solutions for staff shortages in spa & spa tourism" (60 min)
Speakers: Laurentiu Corin (Delta HR Consult), Adriana Badea (Hotel Phoenix, Buzias), Alin Simion (Shakti Center)

III. Panel: Impact initiatives in the Spa Market (40 min):

• Representative of the National Institute of Recovery, Physical Medicine and Balneoclimatology: "Reevaluation of Romania's balneal potential - the natural therapeutic factors existing on the territory of our country" (20 min)
• Eniko Matyus (Clusterul Balneoturistic Transilvania): "Multidisciplinary Local Development - Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDG Goals)" (20 min)

18:00 - 19:30 - Free time
19:30 - Romanian Spa and Balnear Tourism Awards Gala & Festive Dinner

Saturday, September 21:

8:00 - 8:45 - Smoothie and morning stretching
Check - out
Danube Boiler Tour (optional)

Participation fee:
- 100 euro for hotel/spa representatives
- 175 euro for other categories of participants (except sponsors and journalists)
- participation is free of charge for OPTBR members (up to two representatives/society) and Despre Spa partners (up to one representative/member)

Total cost of accommodation and meals (3 nights): 1.500 lei