EHTTA Network’s Celebration@Sources
World Water Day on March 22nd each year is the day the world focuses on water, led by the United Nations, and in the EHTTA network, this is a very special day too! World Water Day is the day on which members focus on the sources of water which make each of their towns so special, and which are the reasons the towns continue to exist and to draw visitors from all over the world to take the waters for leisure and health. This year’s theme of “Water is Work” is particularly important to all those who work in the spa town sector, in and around water sources which are used for bathing and drinking for medicinal purposes and general wellbeing.
EHTTA, which also manages the Council of Europe’s Cultural Route of Historic Thermal Towns has developed “Celebration@Sources” to highlight the unique sources of water in each of its member towns, and to give those who manage the sources the opportunity to give access to the public in a way which is not generally available. Members are celebrating with open days, walks, talks, concerts, competitions across Europe, with towns large and small taking the opportunity to celebrate the water sources which gave rise to their existence and long history as places of tourism, heritage and wellness. Some of the EHTTA members taking part in Celebration@Sources include Acqui Terme (IT), Bath (UK), Baden-Baden (GE), Budapest (HU), Loutra Pozar (GR), Ourense (SP), Salsomaggiore Terme (IT), and the Hellenic Association of Municipalities with Thermal Springs (GR).XX
President of EHTTA, and the Mayor Montecatini Terme, a famous drinking water spa 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 nearly 40 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. “Celebration@Sources” is our way of telling the world about how important our spa towns are, and a welcome opportunity to salute all those who work with water to ensure the health of generations to come. 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!”