European Spas Association ESPA Europischer Heilbderverband EHV Association Europenne du Thermalisme

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

• by
• Reinhard Petry
• Project Manager
• European Spas Association (ESPA)
• 04. 06. June 2009
• Muszyna (PL)

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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
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Lobbying
European European Council Commission Parliament
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
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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

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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

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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
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The first instrument developed by the ESPA is
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The second instrument developed by the ESPA is
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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.

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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

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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)

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Global Spa Market

• Europe 180 Mio. overnights
• Germany 100 Mio. overnights
• Japan 130 Mio. visits
• USA 110 Mio. visits
• Bavaria 60 Mio. visits
• Annual Figures

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Economic data

• 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

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Overnights guests in European Spas
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Economic data
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Demand in Health Tourism
2002
2007
Passive- Wellness 21
Passive- Wellness 40
Medical- Wellness 79
Medical- Wellness 60
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Wellness philosophy changes
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Preferences of the German health- and
wellness-tourists
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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

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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.

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Spas in Europe Trencianske Teplice, SK
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Spas in Europe Bad Wörishofen, D
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Spas in America Chicago, USA
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Spas in Far East Tokio Water Park, Japan
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• As you see Spas worldwide are very different,
  common is that they are popular among the
  customers for relaxation and/or health.

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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

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Conclusion

• Information,
• Innovation and
• Investment
• are essential conditions to be successful in the
  European market.

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Quality

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

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