EHTTA’s General Assembly and the Café of Europe in Caldes de Montbui
The European Historic Thermal Towns Association is holding it’s first General Assembly of 2022 in Caldes de Montbui, a thermal town just outside Barcelona in Catalunya, with impressive Roman baths and a thermal tradition that reaches beyond the confines of the thermal baths. The diversity of thermal products and uses for the thermal waters, which give rise to the slogan of the town “el poble que bull” is the reason that the town is also hosting a seminar on 4th May, the Café of Europe, on “Thermal Villages: Opportunities for Rural Development” at the Portalera Thermal Laundry and streamed live online.
At the General Assembly on 5th May, EHTTA members will welcome several new members from Italy, Croatia and a new International Partner in Brazil, taking the Association’s membership to over 50 full and Associate Members in nearly 20 countries.
Members are also expected to discuss and continue to plan two exciting major developments, taking place in conjunction with two of the most important tourism organisations, the European Travel Commission (ETC)/Visit Europe, and the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).
Manuel Baltar, President of the European Historic Thermal Towns Association said:
“2022 is a hugely exciting year for EHTTA, with two major events taking place with the support and participation of major organisations, giving our visibility and voice a major boost at an important time for our historic thermal towns. We are delighted to be working on a major promotional campaign across Europe and in the United States, called “Thermal Travels, Immerse Yourself in the Spa Culture of Europe”, which will run until the end of June. This campaign will invite travellers to find out more about the waters, the cultural events and the heritage and landscape that mark our towns as being unique health-giving and sustainable destinations – perfect for the post-pandemic era”.
Mr Baltar continued,
“As the Governor of the Ourense Province, I am also immensely proud that the UNWTO will be participating and supporting the International Congress on Thermal Tourism, being held in Ourense at the end of September, with a programme that starts on World Tourism Day and runs alongside Termatalila. Tourism, Heritage and Experience, the three major themes of the Congress will be discussed with speakers and panellists from thermal destinations around the globe.
With new members, and several major projects giving EHTTA members much more visibility in Europe and North America, I am excited for 2022 and beyond. I feel that we all have a renewed sense of purpose after the pandemic and during the energy and climate crisis to show our towns as sustainable, safe and healthy destinations that actively support wellbeing in general, and look forward to thermalism once again having the recognition that it deserves.”
The Mayor of Caldes de Montbui, Mr Isidre Pineda added:
“We are delighted to be hosting the Café of Europe and the EHTTA General Assembly in Caldes de Montbui, which has become a “European thermal capital” for the next three days. We are especially pleased to be able to show our fellow members some of the many imaginative uses we have for our thermal waters, and to hold the Café of Europe in the newly-restored Portalera Laundry. In Caldes de Montbui we are very proud of our architecture, thermal heritage and traditions, gastronomy and cultural heritage, and we are looking forward to the increased visibility we can give to our town as hosts of these prestigious European events.”
Delegates will be able to enjoy several cultural events and experiences during the programme, including Lluís Robisco, an internationally renowned guitarist who will welcome guests with his guitar playing, and Esther Tenedor, local painter and multidisciplinary artist who will paint a picture during the gala dinner hosted by the Municipality and which will be given to EHTTA as a gift.
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For further information please contact:
Simone Zagrodnik, EHTTA Executive Director: simone.zagrodnik@historicthermaltowns.eu
Catherine Lloyd, Communications, Projects, Support communications@historicthermaltowns.eu