Europe's largest annual Balneo & Spa event, the ESPA Congress, organized by the European Spas Association, took place this year in Druskininkai, Lithuania, from 25-27 September and brought together managers, specialists and spa and wellness ambassadors from over 20 European countries.

The event was structured on 3 components, namely knowledge-sharing, business networking and awarding the most innovative spas and wellness centersIn addition to these components, the organizers added, as every time, various unique elements, including a moment that entered the Guinness Book of Records - the participants at the Conference were also the largest group that has ever done mud therapy simultaneously - 112 people.

Globally, the wellness economy is forecast to grow steadily by at least 8-9% annually by 2027

which means that private wellness destinations and operators will also have the opportunity of the consumer trend, but also the challenge of positioning and promoting themselves to match the competition.

In addition to these predictions, balneotherapy and climatotherapy are becoming increasingly interlinked with national health systems, with the prescription of these types of treatments becoming an increasingly common practice in medical practice. One obstacle to even more rapid development in this direction, which is supported by the United Nations itself, is the fact that the World Health Organization has not yet officially recognized the effectiveness of these types of treatment.

In counter-balance to this position of the WHO have come numerous interventions that have presented medical studies on the effects of balneotherapy on various diseases, from metabolic, osteo-articular or cardio-vascular to mental health.

Here are some of these studies:

Lolita Rapolienė, Dr., Associate Professor at Klaipėda University, - "Balneotherapy in reducing stress, depression and anxiety - short and long term results of a controlled study" (Lithuania);

Konstantin OvsyannikovProf., Director of SPA Medical Spa Vilnius, "Use of mineral waters in patients with type 2 diabetes" (Lithuania)

Dr. Martin Gehlen, Chief Physician of the Department of Rheumatology and Osteology Bad Pyrmont, a clinic specializing in the treatment of rheumatological and osteological disorders (Germany);

Kęstutis Skauminas, M.D., Ph.D., Medical Director at "Eglė" Medical Spa - "Holistic Approach in the Prevention of Stress-Related Disorders (Lithuania);                                                                                                                 

Janka Zálešáková: Climate conditions beneficial to treatments, requirements for the recognition of climate spas (Slovakia)

Margrét Grímsdóttir, Director of Heilsustofnun Rehabilitation Clinic, Iceland - "Improving the Quality of Life of Seniors: The Effectiveness of Balneic Treatments on Endurance, Physical and Mental Tone" (Iceland)

Innovation Awards:

In the Destination category, the Destination of the Year award went to Druskininkai, a resort that has attracted major investment and developed the resort with year-round functioning sports centers and facilities, 100% environmentally friendly transport infrastructure.

A special jury award went to the Hisarya resort in Bulgaria, the only resort in Europe with a functioning spring within a Roman spa complex. This exceptional World Heritage site was incorporated into the tourist experience through a 3D guide, the organization of events and captivating light shows around the Roman Spa.

In the Most Innovative Medical Spa category, the winner was Terme Sveti Martin, from Croatia.

A special Jury award went to Alma Health & Spa Retreat, the recently-opened resort on the shores of the Lac Sărat in Brăila.

The next host destination for the ESPA 2025 Annual Congress will be Haapsalu, the oldest spa resort in Estonia.