13/05/2026
The HEALTHXCHANGE Summit is officially over, and the energy was incredible! Day 1 began with warm smiles and the sparking of new friendships as we welcomed delegates and industry leaders from across Europe and around the world to GRIFID Hotels Noa .
The day was packed with high-level discussions and visionary insights:
Opening Ceremony: A huge thank you to Dr Meglena Plugtschieva, Assoc. Prof. Dr Siyka Katsarova PhD, Dr. Yordanka Chobanova, Snezhana Apostolova, Prof. Mariela Modeva and Ivana Kolar for the welcome address and Prof. Todorka Kostadinova for moderating!
Flag Parade: Representatives from more than 20 countries were welcomed at the HEALTHXCHANGE Summit, which we all celebrated together during the flag parade!
Policy & Science: We explored the integration of health, science, and sustainability to position health tourism as a driver for regional development. Special thanks to our panellists for exploring the synergies between health and tourism policies: Mrs. Victoria PETROVA, Mr. Petr Kulhánek, Mrs. Anja Fortuna, and Ass. Prof. Dr. Milena Angelova and to our moderator Csilla Mezosi!
The Power of Balneology: The European Spas Forum delved into the latest scientific evidence in balneology, highlighting how medical spa treatments can significantly reduce long-term healthcare costs. Additionally, a new initiative to launch a peer-reviewed balneology scientific journal was introduced by ESPA President, Assoc. Prof. Dr Siyka Katsarova. Huge thanks to our other speakers, Thierry Dubois, Marina Lalli, Dr. Ladislav Spisak, Marko Gajic and the forum moderator, Iuliana Tasie!
Global Strategy: The HTI Forum focused on Europe’s health and wellbeing economy, discussing market trends, the impact of AI & digitalisation, and workforce development. Special thanks to our experts Markos Danas, Zaritsa Dinkova, Lilla Harangozó, and Thomas Bömkes and moderator, Ivana Kolar!
Spotlight on Bulgaria: As our gracious host country, a dedicated panel showcased Bulgaria’s leadership in health tourism. Experts highlighted the country’s unique natural resources, offering "Affordable Luxury" and world-class medical and spa services. Huge thanks to our Bulgarian experts Carmen Struck, Snezhana Apostolova, and Adv. Svilena Dimitrova, as well as Zhivko Ivanov for moderating!
Parallel to the Congress, we ran two other programmes that made this event truly comprehensive: The HEALTHXCHANGE B2B Session and Thalasso Working Group Exchange. These sessions fostered direct business connections and deep dives into "The Health of the Sea".
We wrapped up this momentous day on a high note with the 🏆ESPA Innovation Award Gala Dinner. Stay tuned! We will be announcing the official list of award winners on our website and social media channels soon.
