International Congress on Thermal Tourism
With the participation of UNWTO its affiliate member EHTTA (European Historic Thermal Towns Association) is holding this Thermal Tourism Congress, hosted by Ourense Province and Municipality and Galicia Region. The three pillars of the event are Tourism, Heritage and Experience, bringing experts from all around the globe to the stage and discuss best practices and the future of thermal destinations and their sustainabilty. Thermal tourism is considered to be one of those fields of tourism which could experience the greatest growth after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tourists will be looking for wellness experiences, immersing themselves in the destinations and interacting with local inhabitants. It is necessary to explore connections with other cultural and natural resources to create new and better sustainable thermal products. Thermal Tourism is a powerful tool to contribute to safeguard the world’s thermal heritage (natural, cultural and intangible) and to provide socio-economic benefits, including the dynamisation of rural areas and the creation of stable employment and income-earning opportunities. Thermal tourism needs to be recognised as an instrument for sustainable development and as a model for other tourism sectors or products. Website https://thethermalcongress.com
