European Spas Association (ESPA)Europäischer Heilbäderverband (EHV)

Association Européenne du Thermalisme et du Climatisme (AETC)Asociasión Europea de Estaciones Termales (AEDET)

by

Reinhard Petry

Project Manager

European Spas Association (ESPA)

04. – 06. June 2009

Muszyna (PL)

Activities and services of the ESPA

Bulgaria Iceland Portugal

Czech Republic Italy Romania

Denmark Slovakia

Estonia Latvia Spain

Germany Lithuania Switzerland

Greece Luxembourg Turkey

Hungary Netherlands Serbia*

* Observing member

ESPA Members from

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-VitalFIT Health Travel

European European CouncilCommission Parliament of Europe

Lobbying

• 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

Main services and activities of the ESPA

• Increasing competition on the European level• Missing transparency in prices and quality for the

customers

Actual situation:

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

Quality Standards for European Spas

The first instrument developed by the ESPA is:

The second instrument developed by the ESPA is:

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.

Spa philosophies worldwide

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)

Europe 180 Mio. overnights

Germany 100 Mio. overnights

Japan 130 Mio. visits

USA 110 Mio. visits

Bavaria 60 Mio. visits

*Annual Figures

Global Spa Market*

FRANCE• 99 Spas (without Thalasso-Spas)• 490.000 Guests yearly with appr. 8,8 Mio.

overnights; about 10.000 self paying guests

• 90.000 Jobs

GERMANY

Bavaria

• 53 Spas (Heilbäder und Kurorte)

• 3,200 Billion in € in 2005

• 90.000 Jobs

• 50,30 € Average daily expenses per guest

• 175.000 Guests per day = 64 Mio. per year

Economic data

 Countries Spas   Overnights     Stays  

               

   

2004 2005 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 not registered 

Portugal 34 839.099 850.000 855.000 98.512 98.521 99.057

Romania  61 6.000.000     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

Overnights & guests in European Spas

Countries

Number of Spas/

spa-hotels

Turnover in EURO

Arrivals Foreigners Overnights ForeignersNumber of stays payed by health

insurances

Germany 300 28 Mrd. 19.000.000 1.800.000 101.000.000 5.200.000 2.400.000

Austria 81 4 Mrd.     18.500.000   200.000

Slovakia 25   200.000 65.000 3.300.000 1.100.000 80.000

Serbia 40 70 Mio. 710.000 30.000 4.000.000 135.000 50.000

Portugal 34 180 Mio. 100.000   850.000   85.000

Spain 128 220 Mio. 1.100.000   7.300.000    

Greece 50   360.000   3.200.000    

Economic data

Passive-

Wellness

40 %

Medical-

Wellness

60 %

Passive-

Wellness

21 %Medical-

Wellness

79 %

2002 2007

Demand in Health Tourism

Wellness philosophy changes

Countries Share Change

2007 2002

Germany 40 % 44 % - 4 %

Italy 12 % 11 % + 1 %

Austria 11 % 15 % - 4 %

Switzerland 9 % 8 % + 1 %

Spain 6 % 6 % +/- 0 %

Thailand 5 % 2 % + 3 %

Sri Lanka 5 % ------ ------

Czech Republic 3 % 4 % - 1 %

Denmark 3 % 1 % + 2 %

Hungary 2 % 5 % - 3 %

Preferences of the German health- and wellness-tourists

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 EuGH

• The „Communication from the Commission“ from 2006-09-26 - 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 IcelandOnly 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

Conclusion

Information,

Innovation and

Investment

are essential conditions to be successful in the European market.

Quality

The main objective is, to provide the highest quality in the spas, therapy-centers and spa hotels

Therapies

ARE YOU SURE THAT THIS IS AN EFFECTIVE THERAPY FOR YOUR BACK PAIN AND MY ARTHRITIC KNEES?