Great Spa Towns of Europe to gather in Bath for second General Assembly
– Stefan Szirucsek
The Great Spa Towns of Europe association (GSTE) is holding its second General Assembly in the UK’s World Heritage city of Bath on 2 March 2023.
The GSTE is a serial transnational World Heritage Site which was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2021. Bath is the largest of the 11 spa towns and will host the General Assembly at the Guildhall.
The agenda
World Heritage site manager Tony Crouch said: “With its double World Heritage inscription, Bath is well placed to share examples of best practice and over 30 years of experience in this technical field with delegates who’re gathering not only to discuss the business of the GSTE but to celebrate and learn during their three days in the city.
“This is a great opportunity for my GSTE colleagues to experience Bath’s unique architecture and to learn about how we manage our World Heritage Site.
“Although the programme is tightly packed, we’ll be taking in the Royal Crescent and Circus, and visiting the City’s latest prestigious projects, including the Bath Abbey Footprint Project, Sydney Gardens, Cleveland Pools and our new World Heritage Centre.”
Not forgetting the city's thermal waters – which were the original reason for the development of Bath – some delegates will have a chance to bathe at Thermae Bath Spa, before experiencing the Roman Baths at night for a drinks reception and dinner hosted by the leader of Bath and North East Somerset Council, councillor Kevin Guy.
The mayors of the GSTE will also meet the mayor of Bath, councillor Robert Appleyard, for afternoon tea.
Mayor of Baden bei Wien in Austria and GSTE chair, Stefan Szirucsek, said: “As one of the best known GSTE, Bath will provide a great location to decide the next steps in the care and preservation of our common world heritage.”
AttendeesThe meeting brings together all the mayors and site managers from the 11 towns, as well as Chiara Ronchini, who took up her new role as secretary general of the GSTE just two weeks ago.
Also in attendance will be representatives of the seven State Parties which are the national representative of the seven countries of the GSTE, including Alexandra Warr – the UK’s representative and head of international strategy at Historic England.
They’ll be joined by:
• Her excellency Laura Davies, ambassador and permanent delegate for the UK Delegation to UNESCO.• James Bridge, secretary general and CEO of the UK National Commission for UNESCO.
• Ruth Pröckl, the incoming chair of the new GTSE Intergovernmental Committee and head of National Coordination World Heritage Austria.
Changing of the guardLocal World Heritage and Spa expert and consultant, Paul Simons now becomes a special advisor to the GSTE, having served as its secretary general since 2013, after three years of involvement in the early stages of the project.
He said: “This will be my last meeting with all the members of the GSTE and it’s a bitter-sweet moment.
“It’s been an immense privilege to work with this group and I have to pay tribute to the many talented experts and dedicated politicians and officers who’ve helped me see this project through to this stage. I’m very proud of our collective achievement so far and am very happy that as a special adviser, I'll remain involved in the future.”
Great Spa Towns of Europe GSTE Chiara Ronchini Stefan SzirucsekChiara Ronchini named new secretary general of Great Spa Towns of Europe Association
Great Spa Towns of Europe Association gathers for first-ever General Assembly
Stefan Szirucsek named chair of Great Spa Towns of Europe
Great Spa Towns of Europe celebrate creation of new industry association
Eleven historic spa towns in Europe achieve UNESCO World Heritage status
BIG unveils Eve Music Hall as Croatia venue nears completion
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Wellness care hospital opens in Vilnius with innovative spa and hospitality concept
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism investment.
For years, the corridor has been associated primarily with science, technology, housing and university-led economic growth. However, the clustering of large-scale visitor attraction projects along the
All-inclusive eco-wellness development Auko to open near Vietnam’s Son Doong caves
Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx-Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
The attraction has transformed the aquarium’s Phelps Auditorium into a multi-sensory venue combining panoramic projection, environmental effects and interactive technology.
A new pre-show area allows visitors to engage with augmented reality marine animals before entering the
MCR is planning a luxury hotel for London's BT Tower
Joy as a radical act: Yinka Ilori launches solo exhibition celebrating the rebellious power of spreading happiness
Work gets underway on Madrid's €800 million leisure complex
Work is underway in Madrid on one of Europe’s most significant multi-functional complexes, combining sport, entertainment, culture and education.
The €800 million initiative to regenerate the former Olympic Aquatic Centre in the north-east of the city, next to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium, is being led by Barsento – a joint venture between Live Nation Entertainment, Oak View Group and Atlético de Madrid. The project will
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Four Seasons’ Naples Beach Club opens 2,800sq m Sanctuary spa inspired by indigenous Calusa people
Orient Express Corinthian to host Ocean Rebirth wellness retreat in collaboration with Guerlain
Famed London nightclub, Tramp, launches Tramp Health
First look: Miraval opens on the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia
Hainan Science Museum by Ma Yansong, opens in China
A new science museum has opened to the public in Haikou after attracting more than 350,000 visitors during a four-month soft opening period.
Designed by Ma Yansong and his practice MAD Architects, the Hainan Science Museum is located on the edge of Wuyuan River National Wetland Park and has already recorded peak attendance of more than 5,800 visitors in a single day.
Commissioned by
Zannier Île De Bendor launches with design by Hardel Le Bihan Architectes
Sæl Spa readies for launch in London: “a modern British sanctuary”
Immersive art bathhouse Submersive announces debut location in Austin
Construction begins on regenerative wellness destination The Shenandoah Nature Resort
Royal Caribbean reveals record-breaking cruise ship
V&A East opens in London
David Geffen galleries open at LACMA
New venue The Lands by Capella includes a longevity centre to complement sister hotel Capella Sydney
World of Frozen launches at Disneyland Paris
Pical Resort by Valamar reveals first Croatian spa under the ESPA brand
Mandarin Oriental creates end-to-end Egyptian journey with two new hotels and first-ever luxury river cruise
Designers Mendil + Meyer launch new division called Lām Concepts for strategic wellness projects
Wilderness Bisate in Rwanda reveals brand’s second Sanctuary spa
4a Architekten shares details of wellness extension at Salinarium Bad Dürkheim Thermal Spa
BodyHoliday plans 10-15 locations in the next 15 years
