The European Travel Commission supports all efforts in developing and promoting pan-European health tourism offer, moreover in pandemic times that put health in our focus.
Dec 9,2021European health tourism Summit hosted by Mr Istvan Ujhelyi – Member of the European Parliament, organized bei Health Tourism Industry and supported by the European Spa Association and Slovenia (partner country). The discussion brought together MEPs, representatives of European associations, officials and experts in the health tourism sector on the topic of prevention in European health destinations. European Commission were represented by Elina Pendolovska and Thomas Secretan, DG Sante and DG Grow. The audience was happy to receive important information about the goals and current activities, opportunities for cooperation and, last but not least, about the structure of new the EU tenders. #EuropeanSpas opinion: we need calls from the Commission to provide additional science-based funding opportunities, as medical tourism can help reduce the cost of health care through preventive measures and lower consumption of pharmaceutical products – this would further improve sustainability and quality of work. The speaker pointed out that for the development of European health prevention, balneology, as well as mountain medical tourism, additional investments are needed to improve the tourist infrastructure and the importance of European resorts for spa and wellness tourism.
New solutions and alternatives to vaccines are needed to improve the immune system and mental health of people suffering from Covid-19.
“We need opportunities to focus on the prevention and follow-up of patients with COVID-19 in European health resorts. We need to turn back to our roots – to medical expertise in sustainable and green health resorts, in creating a brand for European health destinations.
Statements from the speaker:
István Ujhelyi, Member of the European Parliament
“The pandemic taught us a lesson about the importance of the European Health Union. It is not only about huge differences and inequalities in healthcare systems across Europe, but it has brought new challenges, such as long post-covid syndrome or mental health diseases. Nevertheless, health tourism can contribute to the recovery of our citizens, and natural healing remedies and medical spas in European health destinations are the ones to offer the most sustainable prevention model, hence emphasizing the unique tourism product of Europe. Consequently, the time has arrived to agree on common tourism strategies, policies and framework that would finally lead us to put in place the European Tourism Union.”
Eduardo Santander, CEO & Executive Director of the European Travel Commission
“The European Travel Commission supports all efforts in developing and promoting pan-European health tourism offer, moreover in pandemic times that put health in our focus. It not only helps to reduce seasonality and preserve highly qualified medical professionals, but it also reflects the tradition and lifestyle in Europe and provides a framework for further sustainable and more dispersed tourism development to the benefit of all European citizens and destinations.”
Thierry Dubois, President of the European Spas Association:
“Members of the European Spas Association offer Long Covid programs, and medical studies prove the beneficial effects of natural remedies on the human body. We wish medical research substantial support from EU programs. The use of balneology (spa medicine) in the context of national health policy, the European health resorts, and spa cities as a world cultural heritage should be more recognized by partners at the EU level both in the health policy and in the tourism industry. ESPA is pleased to have both representatives of the EU Commission at the round table and Slovenia as a country partner with excellent services in health tourism.”
Leila Krešić-Jurić, HTI Managing Director and organizer of European Health Tourism events:
“Once again, HTI is proud to get together prominent health tourism stakeholders throughout Europe and boost the communication between the private and public sectors, hence leading to a better understanding of business opportunities.”