Thermalism in Europe is a vibrant economic activity. An impressive 23 million Europeans travel across the continent, visiting 1,600 locations that offer services ranging from tourist entertainment, cultural heritage tours and medical care. Greece has 112 natural healing resources, 750 mineral springs and yet only 80 businesses active in thermalism. Among the fastest growing in the country are the natural thermal springs on Evia Island, the thermal baths in Central Mecedonia, and the lake Vouliagmeni natural spa in Athens.

In 2014, Evia hosted a world conference on spa tourism during which, the future of thermalism was discussed, particularly in the context of the European Health Act. Furthermore, the European Spas Association (EspA) presented a new project named "In the footsteps of the Romans," to highlight Europe’s historical and cultural aspects of health related tourism, with Greece being one of the partner countries. EspA estimates that the European market of thermalism and spas consists of 10,000 facilities, with 750,000 people employed and an annual turnover worth €45 billion.

Greek News Agenda: Conference on Spa Tourism