EHTTA is the organisation responsible for the management of the European Route of Historic Thermal Towns.
Our membership has grown steadily since the first six founding member that set up the Association in 2009, and now has 53 members in 20 different European countries plus 2 International Partners, with more being welcomed each year.
Your historic thermal town, your association, your region, your organisation is welcomed in EHTTA - contact the EHTTA Office and the Scientific Committee by clicking on the button below.
Learn about the benefits and requirements to join our international network for the promotion of European thermal culture around the world
EHTTA has three membership categories: Active Members (Member Towns), are historic thermal towns or cities represented by a local authority or municipality. An Active Member has to show that the town fulfills EHTTA’s membership criteria. Associate Members, regions or associations committed to the objectives of the Association. These can be thermal establishments, association or other bodies whose activities are relevant to the development of thermal towns or their heritage; and International Partners, any thermal spa town located in a country which is not a member of the Council of Europe may apply to the Association for this category of membership.
All EHTTA members are part of an organisation with specific aims and objectives regarding the safeguarding of thermal heritage and culture, and also became part of an European Cultural Route certified by the Council of Europe. Therefore, they must comply with and advocate the values behind it: Human rights, Cultural democracy and diversity and Mutual understanding and exchanges across boundaries.
Access to a pool of knowledge and experience, where members work together towards common goals for the awareness and promotion of Europe’s historic thermal spa towns and regions. Members meet together twice a year at General Assemblies, with officers and elected representatives from participating towns and regions.
Thanks to the contacts established at European level, our network supports relationships between members and EU Institutions, as well as with other European Cultural Routes and professional associations linked to heritage, tourism, culture and spa industry.
EHTTA actively participates in European projects and proposals, enabling its members to benefit from the exchange of best practices, shared knowledge, and the development of new tools. On an internal level, EHTTA continues to foster closer collaboration between its members by establishing working groups — such as the Tourism Commission — and facilitating meeting opportunities, including the Mayors’ Meeting
Fostering collaboration and partnership is at the core of EHTTA’s activities. This means maintaining continuous communication about the thermal destinations, raising awareness of their specific needs, while promoting them as outstanding tourism products in health & wellbeing, and culture & heritage. As an association, EHTTA primarily targets B2G and B2B audiences; as a Cultural Route, it also addresses the public.
EHTTA has enhanced its collaboration with European associations and institutions aiming at the promotion of thermal destinations for example through targeted campaigns. At the same time the development of thematic packages together with tourism professionals and tour operators on member and association level is key. EHTTA is present at various European and international fairs and conferences.