site.btaBulgaria Wins Two ESPA Innovation Awards for Successful Practices in Medical Spa Tourism

Bulgaria received two awards for innovation from the European Spas Association - ESPA Innovation Award, which are presented for the most innovative and successful practices in the field of medical spa tourism in Europe. This happened on the second day of the annual  European Spas & Balneology Congress 2025, held in Estonia's Haapsalu from October 8 to 10 and organized by ESPA and the Estonian Economy and Industry Ministry. BTA is a partner of the event. 

Hot Springs Medical and Spa in Banya (Southern Bulgaria) received the special jury prize in "Category 4: Innovative Spa Concept" as the first spa resort aimed at children, offering spa services for family well-being, creating an educational, caring, and fun environment for children's health. ESPA Secretary General Csilla Mezosi presented the award to Tsvetina Ivanova, Executive Director of the Bulgarian Association of Balneology and SPA Tourism (BUBSPA).

The main award in the category went to the Lithuanian center E77 for holistic, authentic, and sustainable therapy.

The Inspiro Medical Centre in Sveti Vlas (on the Black Sea) received the main award in "Category 5: Innovative Health Spa Programme" for integrating climatotherapy, marine therapy, physiotherapy, and nutrition for prevention and rehabilitation, developed by a multidisciplinary team with the aim of strengthening physical and emotional well-being, according to the organizers. 

The Czech complex Ensana Hotels received the jury's special award for its oncology rehabilitation program.

The ESPA Innovation Award is presented in eight categories: "Category 1: Innovative Spa Destination," "Category 2: Innovative Medical Spa," "Category 3: Innovative Spa Design," "Category 4: Innovative Spa Concept," "Category 5: Innovative Health Spa Programme," "Category 6: Innovative Spa Products," "Category 7: Innovative Spa Education" and "Category 8: Innovative Spa Scientific Research". In the last five categories, in addition to the main prize, a special jury prize is awarded to participants from nine countries: Bulgaria, Germany, Estonia, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, France, and the Czech Republic. 

ESPA was founded in 1995 in Brussels as a non-profit and non-governmental organization. It brings together countries that develop spa and balneological tourism, using natural healing resources such as mineral waters, therapeutic mud, sea climate, etc. Bulgaria joined ESPA in 2007.

BTA's media partnership with ESPA promotes Bulgaria as a year-round health tourism destination. This partnership forms a key part of the news agency's editorial policy, which is aimed at showcasing Bulgaria as a year-round health tourism destination.