The international summit strengthens cooperation ties between Spain, Portugal and Latin America
The International Thermal Tourism, Health and Wellness Fair, Termatalia 2026, has closed the doors of its 24th edition at Expourense, reaffirming its position as the leading global forum for public and private operators in the thermal, tourism and wellness. sectors. With a unique transatlantic roots, the event has served to further strengthen the solid ties of collaboration and reciprocal exchange between professionals and institutions from Spain, Portugal and Latin America, a consolidated mutual support network that continues to drive socioeconomic development and commercial success of destinations on both sides of the Atlantic.
Over two intense days, the fair attracted 3,000 visitors and brought together 50 international experts from 10 countries, addressing the immediate challenges and keys to the evolution of the thermal model towards a comprehensive concept of health and prevention.
Global trends: prevention, longevity and rural development
The VII International Congress on Water, followed in person by 500 professionals and countless virtual attendees from Spain, Portugal, France, United States, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Brazil, Uruguay and Chile, evidenced the great dynamism of the industry and its unifying role in the rural economy.
The presentations analyzed how the demands of the contemporary traveler have evolved: the search for rest is now combined with health prevention, connection with nature, conscious nutrition, mental health and longevity.
In this context, Jaume Marín, consultant, doctor in tourism and professor at the University of Girona, highlighted in his presentation:
“Tourists no longer choose only where to go or what to visit; they increasingly pay more attention to how they want to feel during the trip and, above all, how they want to return. It is no longer enough to escape the routine: people seek to return better, physically and emotionally, and with the feeling of having experienced something that was truly worthwhile. These trends are rewriting some of the rules of tourism and opening new opportunities for rural and inland destinations capable of connecting wellness, nature, heritage and local identity.”
Artificial Intelligence as an ally of the human experience
The congress also analyzed the impact of new technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the sector. Juan Torres, Senior International Business Development, Business and Digital Transformation at Microsoft, emphasized the importance of maintaining warmth in service:
“AI will not replace water, professional care, hospitality or trust. These will continue to be the sector's greatest assets. But it can amplify their value, helping destinations and thermal centers to personalize services, make better decisions and work with greater agility. Thermal tourism will remain human. The opportunity lies in using AI to make it personalized, efficient and sustainable, without losing what makes it unique.”
Awards of the XXI International Mineral Water Tasting
One of the highlights of the closing day was the presentation of the awards of the XXI International Mineral Water Tasting:
- Still Mineral Water with Low Mineralization:
- First Prize: Fontecelta
- Second Prize: Sousas
- Still Mineral Water with Very Low Mineralization:
- First Prize: Agua Sana
- Mineral Water with Natural Gas:
- First Prize: Magma Original
- Mineral Water with Added Gas:
- First Prize: Cabreiroá con Gas
- Special Award for Corporate Social Responsibility and Environment:
- Awarded: Bezoya
International recognitions and complementary activities
The Wellness & Medical Tourism World Association presented two prestigious distinctions for excellence in services to Termas de São Pedro do Sul (Portugal) and to Caldaria Group (Spain).
The program was completed with a Wellness Yoga Workshop led by Experiencia Wellness, a specialized thermal water tasting by Tourism Center of Portugal and various presentations on aesthetics and health publications.
Institutional support
The 24th edition of Termatalia was held with the main sponsorship of the Regional Government of Galicia (through the Galicia Tourism Agency) and the Provincial Council of Ourense, also counting on the collaboration of the Campus Auga of the University of Vigothe Chair of Medical Hydrology-Balnearios de Galicia of the University of Santiago de Compostelathe ICTESthe Archena City Council, Galicia Calidade y RENFE as Official Transport.
