Awarding the best and most innovative ideas and services in the spa industry
The ESPA Innovation Award is an annual competition organised by the European Spas Association. Each year, it gives a voice and a prize to those, who developed new, outstanding, and more effective approaches for improving the quality of health & spa hotels and resorts. The award reflects the association’s goal of promoting the exchange of experience, best practices, and know-how. It is a celebration of well-being, innovation, and excellence of the spa industry.
The winners of the competition will be announced at a gala award ceremony during the 26th ESPA Congress on 22 September 2022 in Piestany, Slovakia. The congress will be attended by spa and health tourism experts from 20 European countries, as well as international press from 10 countries.
Who is evaluating the events?
All projects are evaluated by a 6-member expert jury based on 5 evaluation segments, including originality, impact of the innovation, practicality, measurability of the benefits, and sustainability.
Gunnlaugur K. Jónsson
President of the Nature Health association of Iceland (NHAI)
Todorka Kostadinova
Vice rector at the Medical University – Varna, Bulgaria
Peter Janech
Deputy Director for Europe at World Tourism Organization.
Inga Dora Sigfusdottir
Founding Dean, School of Health and Education, Reykjavik University
Silvia Giannini
Expert in commercial and business spa and thermal projects in Italy
Siyka Katsarova
Vice President of the European Spas Association
Applicants can submit their applications in 8 different categories;
- INNOVATIVE SPA DESTINATION
- INNOVATIVE MEDICAL SPA
- INNOVATIVE SPA HOTEL
- INNOVATIVE SPA CONCEPT
- INNOVATIVE HEALTH SPA PROGRAMME
- INNOVATIVE SPA PRODUCTS
- INNOVATIVE SPA EDUCATION
- MEDICAL SPA SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
If you believe your project deserves to be recognised as a good practice case in the European health & spa industry, here are 5 good reasons to enter in 2022:
- Gaining broad international recognition and significant market visibility
- The opportunity to attend the annual gala awards ceremony
- Meeting other innovators and industry leaders
- Showcasing your award-winning innovation to international media
- Promoting your innovation by using the ESPA Innovation Award badge
Who won in 2021?
The winners of the ESPA Innovation Awards 2021 came from 12 European countries and showcased in eight categories.
1. INNOVATIVE SPA DESTINATION
Healing Forest
ESPA Jury awarded the Heilwäld as a pioneering project in Europe with a very high quality standard, oriented towards children’s health and medical research.
2. INNOVATIVE MEDICAL SPA
Sairme Hotels & Resorts and SPA and EVEX Hospital, Georgia
The particularity of the location of this medical SPA allows total immersion in unspoiled nature and promotes a healing path for many diseases.
3. INNOVATIVE SPA HOTEL
Borgo Brufa Resort
Borgo Brufa SPA Resort is the biggest SPA in the centre of Italy, which was totally renovated, with the enlargement of the SPA to 3000 sqm, and the transformation of the whole building.
4. INNOVATIVE SPA CONCEPT
Balvanyos Resort
Balvanyos Resort is an oasis of tranquility in the heart of Romania. Situated near to protect natural area Ciomad – Balvanyos and Saint Anne volcanic lake, is surrounded by mountains and forest.
5. INNOVATIVE HEALTH SPA PROGRAMME
Terme Krka
Terme Krka has adapted to the world situation influenced by the Covid and searched the methods that can help people find the inner health, strengthen immune system and boost self-esteem.
6. INNOVATIVE SPA PRODUCTS
THE BEAUTY OF NATURE AMPOULES
THE BEAUTY OF NATURE AMPOULES by Dr. Spiller Biomimetic SkinCare are inspired by various dreamy destinations and spectacles of nature.
7. INNOVATIVE SPA EDUCATION
SmartWell
The SmartWell (SW) is a student innovation programme merging technology for improving people’s well-being in a one-stop easy-to-understand app.
8. MEDICAL SPA – SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH WINNER
Ensana Hotels
The scientific research is based on a three-week program during which clients received 21 medical treatments (3xday) based on an initial medical visit.
