EHTTA, the European Historic Thermal Towns Association is delighted to announce that it will be taking part in the HTI (Health Tourism Industry) Conference in Vienna. Recognised as one of the largest events in Central and Southern Europe, the HTI Conference, brings together over 300 top executives from the global health tourism sector.
Two EHTTA representatives will be speaking on Day One of the conference, on “Globally Recognised European Destinations of Health”. The EHTTA, which also runs the Council of Europe’s Cultural Route of Historic Thermal Spa Towns, and is a prominent member of the Cultural Routes Programme, is well placed to speak about European Destinations of health. Its 35 members span Europe from Galaalti in Azerbaijan to Caldas de la Rainha in Portugal, and from the Roman city of Bath to ancient spas in Greece. EHTTA is committed to promoting not only the health benefits of its myriad sources of water, but the history and cultural heritage surrounding these historically important towns, all of which still possess significant historic architecture related to their function as spa towns dedicated to the health and wellbeing of their visitors.
Europe’s Historic Spa Towns can be credited with developing some of the earliest forms of tourism, so it is very appropriate that the Association has a presence at the HTI Conference. EHTTA will be very ably represented by LUCA BRUSCHI, International relationships and Communitarian policies at European Historic Thermal Towns Association and MARCEL MEDAK, mag.cin, Director at Daruvar Thermal Spa and President of the Health Tourism Cluster, Croatia.
President of EHTTA, and the Mayor Montecatini Terme in Italy, Mr Giuseppe Bellandi said: “Our Association has grown from small beginnings in 2009 when just six towns sat around the table, to one of increasing importance with over 30 members in 13 countries. We represent towns that all have an important heritage, often dating back to Roman times and beyond, and which are important for the growing tourism sectors of health and wellness. As we grow, the Association is keen to be visible on a wider European stage, not only at exhibitions such as the HTI Conference in Vienna, but also with other cultural routes, and crucially at a political level in Brussels. We are fortunate to have a dedicated and active membership which is working to ensure that the future health and prosperity of these important historic thermal spa towns is assured as much as the health and wellbeing of their visitors!”