Unspoilt nature is not the only thing that is supposed to attract holidaymakers to the Baltic region. This year Estonia and Lithuania are promoting themselves first and foremost as wellness destinations. Speaking at ITB Berlin, Tarmo Mutso, Director of the Estonian Tourist Board, said that 200 years ago the country’s first spa had been founded near Tallinn, which was why Estonia wanted to place particular emphasis on wellness tourism this year.
“What is important is not so much the medicinal quality of the water, but wellness and relaxation. This is less about medical tourism and more about letting oneself be pampered.“ If the term ’spa’ was to be taken to include saunas, then Estonians cultivated an even longer tradition in spas, Mutso said. Anyone looking for spas was spoilt for choice. One could pick from barrel saunas, smoke saunas, cave saunas or traditional saunas. “Estonia is a paradise for sauna enthusiasts“, Mutso added.
In Lithuania the focus is also on promoting spas and wellness tourism. Palanga, Neringa, Birštonas and Druskininkai are four of Lithuania’s established spa resorts.
At ITB Berlin Gerda Butkuviené of the Lithuanian State Department of Tourism noted that some were situated in the middle of pine forests and that in general the hotels met European standards. Lithuania was well known both for its medicinal waters and peloids. Spas offering amber therapy are relatively new. Products include amber massages as well as cosmetic products using succinic acid.
