The fourteenth edition of SPA-CE, the premier and only trade show specialising in spa and wellness tourism in Central Europe, is taking place in Karlovy Vary, where exhibitors from ten countries and hosted buyers from 14 countries have gathered. Since 2021, the event has been taking place in partnership with the central European association in this field, the European Spas Association (ESPA). The event commenced on Wednesday, 4 October 2023, with a Rolling workshop across the Czech Republic’s thermal spa triangle (Karlovy Vary, Mariánské Lázně in Františkovy Lázně).
SPA-CE, a trade show that has been taking place for the past fourteen years, is taking place concurrently with the ESPA Congress (European Spas and Balneology Congress). A record-breaking 200 experts will partake in the congress this year. Twenty-five exhibitors will present their services at SPA-CE, including three Slovenian spa resorts and the Association of Slovenian Natural Spas. As in previous years, the Slovenian Tourist Board supported the organisation of the event.
On Thursday, 5 October, exhibitors will meet with forty handpicked representatives of tourist agencies who came to Karlovy Vary from fourteen countries. This year, attendees came from the US and China for the premier time. The tourist organisation of Karlovy Vary, assisted by the Czech Tourist Organisation in attracting hosted buyers, is the host of this year’s SPA-CE trade show and ESPA Congress. Pre-arranged meetings between exhibitors and hosted buyers are at the heart of the event. The organisers expect that providers of spa and wellness services will host 300 meetings with hosted buyers. Participants of the SPA-CE trade show will have additional opportunities to network at evening events, also attended by attendees from the ESPA Congress.
Iztok Altbauer, Managing Director of the Slovenian Spas Association, emphasised: “We are honoured that the trade show we developed fifteen years ago in Slovenia by the Association of Slovenian Natural Spas and Toleranca marketing event agency has gained prominence as an important hub for European spa resorts and tourist agencies specialised in this field. Partnering with the European Spas Association, which connects spa resorts from 21 countries, has given the event a new dimension and fostered opportunities for future growth.”
To learn more, visit www.europeanspas.eu or write to the organisers at info@spa-ce.eu.
