EHTTA will be attending the world’s largest tourism fair with seven of its members and with the Great Spa Towns of Europe as a special partner.
The world’s largest tourism trade fair, ITB Berlin, is taking place in Germany’s capital from March 5 to 7, 2024. At ITB Berlin over 5.500 exhibitors from 165 countries will be present, welcoming travel trade visitors over the three days of the event, and also online.
The European Historic Thermal Towns Association (EHTTA) will be present in the Medical & Health Pavilion, located in hall 3.1 as one of the major partners in this part of ITB Berlin. Several member towns and regions from the Association have taken the opportunity to be present in person with EHTTA, and to engage in meetings and presentations.
For EHTTA President Riccardo Mortandello this international travel fair is the first major event for him in his new role at the head of the Association. He describes its importance for European Historic Thermal Towns:
“EHTTA plays a fundamental role in promoting the cultural and environmental excellence of our destinations. Our towns have always been places of culture and creativity, great architecture and impressive heritage, while at the same time being health destinations, bringing together tourism, sport, health and well-being. The challenge is to also present all this from a new and alternative perspective, especially for younger generations, linking it to cultural tourism.”
With the slogan “Immerse yourself in the spa culture of Europe” the stand will attract visitors with its eye-catching pictures and a range of activities including the creation of and atmosphere of true wellbeing.
“Our positive experience last year as a major partner in the Medical & Health Segment of ITB Berlin encouraged us to develop the visibility of European spa towns even further for 2024. Thanks to seven engaged and enthusiastic members and the Great Spa Towns of Europe as co-exhibitors we are able to present our thermal destinations and the European Spa Culture in an even bigger way this year,” says Executive Director Simone Zagrodnik.
“Not only do we have a bigger and even more impressive stand, we have many activities which will certainly add to the attractiveness and appeal of our stand. It’s going to be a very exciting fair for us this year!”
Montegrotto Terme’s “Aquaemotion”, will demonstrate aqua fitness elements several times a day introducing visitors to their daily work as well as offering them the opportunity to test thermal mud treatments.
At a special water bar water will be available from two of the Catalan spa towns’ water brands: Font Vella and Catalan Vichy. These famous brands are joined by water from Budapest, organised by Budapest Spas.
An invitation to stop and rest in one of many deck chairs is offered at the “Spa Cinema”, where visitors can relax and enjoy videos from a great variety of thermal destinations all over Europe. The Spa Cinema is supported by the Austrian spa town of Baden bei Wien.
The Medical & Health Pavilion offers a wide range of presentations and panel discussions, where EHTTA and its partners will be present several times:
On Wednesday, 6th March it is about sustainability in spa towns:
First Budapest Spas will take the floor, speaking about heritage and responsibility, followed by the panel asking
“Is Sustainable Tourism the best kept secret of European Spa Towns?”. The Great Spa Towns of Europe will introduce the topic with a keynote presentation from Secretary General, Chiara Ronchini, followed by a conversation among FITReisen and thermal destinations Baden bei Wien, Catalonia Thermal Towns and Slovenian Spas.
On Thursday, 7th the focus is on health tourism, sport and fitness and for this session, the European Historic Thermal Towns Association together with FITReisen has invited experts to speak about the tight connection between those elements. Montegrotto Terme, Hungary Tourism Association and HTI Partner from Croatia are all involved in the panel discussion, which promises to be very informative!
A presentation about the work and the benefits of thermal water by Aquaemotion from Montegrotto Terme will follow. The afternoon will be wrapped-up with the “FITReisen Health & Talk”, inviting experts to speak about the trends and needs of customers.