The Benicàssim centre becomes the first Spanish establishment certified under the specific international standard for thalassotherapy services, a recognition that provides additional guarantees to its track record in health and wellness.
The quality of a wellness destination is also measured by what the client does not always see: safety protocols, the qualifications of professionals, the control of the facilities and the criteria that guide each treatment. Palasiet Wellness Clinic & Thalasso, in Benicàssim (Castellón), has just obtained a recognition that focuses precisely on these aspects. The centre is the first establishment in Spain to achieve ISO 17680:2015 certification, the international standard that establishes quality requirements for thalassotherapy services.
The certificate, issued by ADOK Certificación following an audit, is valid until 2029 and is subject to annual reviews. For a sector in which very different offerings coexist under the labels of wellness, health and thermal tourism, having a verifiable international reference offers an additional criterion for assessing the quality of services.
The standard covers aspects such as the use of seawater and marine resources, hygiene conditions, the safety and comfort of the facilities, the training of professionals and customer care. Its application allows the organisation of the service to be evaluated based on defined requirements, rather than relying exclusively on the reputation of the establishment or the subjective experience of the visitor.
«Our goal is not simply to offer wellness experiences, but to help people improve their health, restore their balance and acquire habits that contribute to a better quality of life,» says Joaquín Farnós de los Santos, general manager of Palasiet Wellness Clinic & Thalasso. The executive considers the certification a recognition of the team's work and its commitment to quality, safety and professionalism.
Palasiet's track record allows us to understand the evolution that wellness tourism has experienced in Spain. Founded in 1970 by Dr Joaquín Farnós Gauchía, the establishment was born linked to thalassotherapy and the therapeutic possibilities of the marine environment. More than five decades later, it maintains that specialisation within an offering that combines medical care, nutrition, physical activity, emotional wellness and four-star superior hotel accommodation.
Its offering includes programmes related to weight control, longevity, menopause, functional recovery and preparation and recovery after certain medical processes. This diversity responds to a demand that ranges from those seeking a pause to restore healthy habits to those who wish to address specific goals with professional support.
In this context, it is worth distinguishing between a relaxation experience and a health-oriented programme. ISO 17680 certification refers specifically to the requirements of thalassotherapy services; on its own, it does not accredit the clinical efficacy of all the treatments a centre may offer, nor does it replace the medical evaluation of each intervention. Its value lies in providing an internationally recognised quality framework for this activity.
Obtaining the certificate comes at a time of growing interest in travel linked to prevention, recovery and personal care. For specialised establishments, trust is built through a combination of experience, qualified professionals, well-defined programmes and procedures that can be subjected to external evaluation.
Palasiet aims to consolidate its presence among Europe's leading health and wellness destinations. «We want Palasiet to be recognised in Europe as one of the leading destinations for those people who seek to improve their wellness and quality of life with the support of qualified professionals,» says Farnós de los Santos.
The certification adds an objective element to that strategy: an international standard applied specifically to thalassotherapy. For the traveller, it represents one more tool when choosing; for the establishment, it means backing with an independent evaluation a specialisation that has been part of its identity for more than half a century.
More information: www.palasiet.com
