SOFIA/HAAPSALU – Bulgaria has been honored with two innovation awards from the European SPA Association at the ESPA Innovation Awards, which recognize exceptional and innovative practices in medical spa tourism across Europe. The awards were presented on the second day of the annual European Congress on SPA and Balneology 2025 in Haapsalu, Estonia, organized by the association, with BTA as a partner.
“Hot Springs Medical and SPA” in Banya received the special jury award in “Category 4: Innovative Spa Concept” for being the first spa resort focused on children, offering family-centered spa services that promote health in a caring and enjoyable environment. The award was presented by Chila Mezosi, the Secretary General of the European SPA Association, to Tsvetina Ivanova, Executive Director of the Bulgarian Union of Balneology and SPA Tourism.
The top award in the category went to the Lithuanian center E77 for their holistic, authentic, and sustainable therapy approach.
Inspiro Medical Center in Sveti Vlas won the main award in “Category 5: Innovative Spa Program” for its integrated approach to climate therapy, marine therapy, physiotherapy, and nutrition aimed at prevention and rehabilitation, developed by a multidisciplinary team focused on enhancing physical and emotional health. The “Special Jury Award” was given to the Czech complex ENSANA Hotels for its oncological rehabilitation program.
The ESPA Innovation Awards are granted in eight categories, with five of those including a special jury prize alongside the main award. Participants hailed from nine countries: Bulgaria, Germany, Estonia, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, France, and the Czech Republic. The six-member jury featured Dr. Siika Katzarova, Chair of the Bulgarian Union of Balneology and SPA Tourism and newly elected President of the European SPA Association; Gunar Jonsson, First Vice President and Chair of the Jury; Italian architect Silvia Gianni; Prof. Todorka Kostadinova from the Medical University of Varna and a member of the board of the European Association for Health Management; Secretary General Chila Mezosi; and Prof. Alessandra Priante, President of the Italian Board of Tourism.
Other award recipients included: the Italian complex Terme de Montel for Innovative and Healthy Resort Destination; the Estonian anti-stress center Narva-Joesuu as an innovative medical spa destination; the Lithuanian Gradiali Medical SPA&Wellness for its innovative hotel design; the Czech VR Medica with the main prize for an innovative spa product; and the Estonian Varska Sanatooriummedica with the special jury award in the same category. For innovative spa education, the award went to the Romanian complex Spaedu by Wellandia, with the jury award going to the Czech Institute of SPA&Balneology. In the domain of innovative spa research, the French The Masak won the main award, while the special award went to the German Fuerstenhof Klinik.
This marks the first time in the 30-year history of the European SPA Association that a Bulgarian expert has assumed leadership of the organization, representing elite balneo, SPA, and wellness destinations from over 20 countries. Our mission is to enhance health tourism in Europe and achieve higher recognition at the political level in Brussels. Dr. Katzarova emphasized the importance of the association in supporting its members with expertise following her appointment.
BTA’s media partnership with the European SPA Association aims to promote Bulgaria as a year-round health tourism destination. (October 8-9)
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