European Spas Association ESPA Europischer Heilbderverband EHV Association

European Spas Association (ESPA) Europäischer Heilbäderverband (EHV) Association Européenne du Thermalisme et du Climatisme (AETC) Asociasión Europea de Estaciones Termales (AEDET)

Activities and services of the ESPA by Reinhard Petry Project Manager European Spas Association (ESPA) 04. – 06. June 2009 Muszyna (PL)

ESPA Members from Bulgaria Iceland Portugal Czech Republic Italy Romania Denmark Slovakia Estonia Latvia Spain Germany Lithuania Switzerland Greece Luxembourg Turkey Hungary Netherlands Serbia* * Observing member

Lobbying European Commission European Parliament Council of Europe Cooperation with: European Tourism Industry Network (ETIN) European Social Insurance Partners (ESIP) World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Partners: International Society of Medical Hydrology and Climatology (ISMH) SSI, Berlin Further Partners: TUI-Vital FIT Health Travel

Main services and activities of the ESPA • First and only by the EU-Institutions recognised umbrella association • Lobby work at the national level, e. g. consultation and support of the national legislation • Liason in the ISO-Working Group 2 “spa services” which is setting standards worldwide • Internet Portal ”www. espa-ehv. eu” • Network of and for health resort and spa professionals • Introduction and development of quality standards for health resorts, spa facilities and spa services

Main services and activities of the ESPA • Network of and for health resort and spa professionals • Introduction and development of quality standards for health resorts, spa facilities and spa services • Certification of health resorts and spa facilities (EUROPESPA) www. europespa. eu • Encouraging fair competition in the health resort and spa industry • Communication and collaboration with members and operators in Europe and worldwide • Public relations and image promotion in Europe and elsewhere • Support for research and the provision of information • Staff training in health resorts and spa facilities

Quality Standards for European Spas Actual situation: • Increasing competition on the European level • Missing transparency in prices and quality for the customers Conclusion: There is a need for coordinated structures and instruments which lead to more transparency in the market and give new impetus for a better quality of the Spas and Health Resorts in Europe

The first instrument developed by the ESPA is:

The second instrument developed by the ESPA is:

Spa philosophies worldwide Spas in Europe (ESPA): Highest level of a health resort as recognised by the national laws, are situated in a clean and healthy environment ( air, water, traffic, noise), have the competence and experience for a qualified prevention and rehabilitation, especially for chronic diseases as well as for wellness offers. Depending to the local remedies the spa may be classified as mineral-, thermal-, peat-, seaside-, or Kneipp-Spa. Spas in USA (ISPA): Spas are places devoted to enhancing overall well-being through a variety of professional services that encourage the renewal of mind, body and spirit.

USA • The health system in the USA is much different from Europe. Many million of citizens are not insured. Spa services are not reimbursed • Years ago there was a spa system and there existed spa towns like „Palm Springs“ etc. • The „Day Spa“ is not a spa from the medical point of view but only wellness • The role of the pharmaceutical industry

Difference between Europe and the USA • Recognition of natural, local remedies in Europe • The use of natural, local remedies has a long tradition in Europe • Spa medicine is recognised and reinbursed by health insurances in many European states • Prevention and rehabilitation are the keywords for all activities in the spas • The EU-Commission is using health and prevention as keywords in the „White Paper“ - a Strategic Approach for the EU 2008 - 2013 - (COM(2007)630 final)

Global Spa Market* Europe Germany 180 Mio. overnights 100 Mio. overnights Japan USA Bavaria 130 Mio. visits 110 Mio. visits 60 Mio. visits *Annual Figures

Economic data FRANCE • • 99 490. 000 • 90. 000 Spas (without Thalasso-Spas) Guests yearly with appr. 8, 8 Mio. overnights; about 10. 000 self paying guests Jobs GERMANY Bavaria • 53 • 3, 200 • 90. 000 • 50, 30 € • 175. 000 Spas (Heilbäder und Kurorte) Billion in € in 2005 Jobs Average daily expenses per guest Guests per day = 64 Mio. per year

Overnights & guests in European Spas Countries Spas Overnights 2004 2005 Stays 2006 2004 2005 2006 Deutschland/ Germany 291 98. 550. 644 97. 689. 638 97. 745. 977 17. 214. 515 17. 623. 743 18. 064. 628 Frankreich/ France (Thermal) 96 9. 469. 835 9. 052. 561 8. 824. 177 571. 575 504. 607 492. 325 Griechenland/ Greece 50 1. 620. 000 180. 000 Lettland/ Latvia (only Jurmala) 20 369. 353 363. 881 390. 757 67. 614 101. 447 124. 638 Österreich/ Austria 81 18. 200. 000 18. 030. 913 18. 057. 000 Portugal 34 839. 099 850. 000 855. 000 98. 512 98. 521 99. 057 Romania 61 6. 000 720. 000 Serbien/ Serbia 40 3. 964. 027 3. 778. 280 3. 927. 055 682. 000 703. 359 711. 829 Slowakei/ Slovakia 21 2. 499. 606 137. 156 Spanien/ Spain 128 6. 298. 000 6. 801. 840 7. 295. 000 920. 000 1. 011. 000 1. 105. 000 Tschechien/ Czech Republic 34 5. 429. 427 5. 777. 335 5. 669. 938 309. 258 314. 928 327. 078 Ungarn/ Hungary (only Danubius Hotels) 32 3. 836. 000 426. 000 not registered

Economic data Number of Spas/ spahotels Turnover in EURO 300 28 Mrd. Austria 81 4 Mrd. Slovakia 25 200. 000 65. 000 3. 300. 000 1. 100. 000 80. 000 Serbia 40 70 Mio. 710. 000 30. 000 4. 000 135. 000 50. 000 Portugal 34 180 Mio. 100. 000 850. 000 128 220 Mio. 1. 100. 000 7. 300. 000 50 360. 000 3. 200. 000 Countries Germany Spain Greece Arrivals Foreigners 19. 000 1. 800. 000 Overnights 101. 000 18. 500. 000 Number of stays payed by health insurances Foreigners 5. 200. 000 2. 400. 000 200. 000 85. 000

Demand in Health Tourism 2002 2007 Passive. Wellness Passive. Medical- Wellness 40 % Wellness 60 % 79 % 21 %

Wellness philosophy changes

Preferences of the German health- and wellness-tourists Countries Share Change 2007 2002 Germany 40 % 44 % - 4 % Italy 12 % 11 % + 1 % Austria 11 % 15 % - 4 % Switzerland 9 % 8 % + 1 % Spain 6 % +/- 0 % Thailand 5 % 2 % + 3 % Sri Lanka 5 % ------ Czech Republic 3 % 4 % - 1 % Denmark 3 % 1 % + 2 % Hungary 2 % 5 % - 3 %

Perspectives for Spas • People in Europe are getting older and more flexible. Consequence: They are travelling abroard. • Finding combination between spa tourism and cultural highlights • Creating packages for prevention and relaxation including medical services on place • Working out of spa related offers for people living in Central Europe • Integrating spa related offers for families with chidren • Offering programs for healthy lifestyle and nutrition in spas

EU – Commission and Eu. GH • The „Communication from the Commission“ from 200609 -26 - SEC (2006) 1195/4) - Consultation regarding Community action on cross-border health services A high level group has been installed • The decisions of the European Court of Justice oblige the EU-Commission to find a regulation. The services in the spas as health services are also touched.

Spas in Europe: Trenčianske Teplice, SK

Spas in Europe: Bad Wörishofen, D

Spas in America: Chicago, USA

Spas in Far East: Tokio Water Park, Japan

As you see Spas worldwide are very different, common is that they are popular among the customers for relaxation and/or health.

Analysis of the main markets in Europe • Northern Europe: Thermal water exists only in Iceland Only the Baltic countries are familiar with the „classical cure“ • Western Europe: Long cure tradition – momentarily without a real perspective for the future • Central Europe: The heart of the „classic cure“ The competition for German guests is getting more and more intensive • Southern Europe: P, E and I will mainly stay domestic markets • South Eastern Europe: BG, SRB, GR, ROM, TR – to be successful in the Spa-market these countries have to invest and to offer the best quality. There is a lack of information