The European Route of Historic Thermal Towns (EHHTA) welcomed 3 new members and an International Partner at its first Council meeting of 2022.
There are 3 new member towns, which are:
- Lipik, Croatia
- Telese Terme, Italy
- Varaždinske Toplice, Croatia
- International Partner: Poços de Caldas, Brazil
Two new members, Lipik and Varaždinske Toplice joining the Croatian part of the Cultural Route, which so far only had one member, Daruvar. The Croatian Ministry of Culture is particularly supportive of the Cultural Routes Programme of the Council of Europe, and all 14 routes that cross its territory.
The addition of Telese Terme as a member town gives the Cultural Route in Italy a boost and adds to a greater geographical spread.
The addition of Poços de Caldas, as an International Partner takes EHTTA global, and cements the connections forged by Portuguese and Spanish members of the European Route of Historic Thermal Towns, notably the cross-border Eurocity, Chaves-Verin.
EHTTA President, Manuel Baltar said: “This partnership with a South American town is particularly welcome in the run-up to the International Thermal Tourism Congress from 27th – 29th September, currently being organised by EHTTA and my own Province of Ourense as part of the UNWTO's 2022 Affiliate Members Work Programme.”
EHHTA was founded in 2009 and first certified as a Cultural Route of the Council of Europe in 2010. It is a very active member of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe Programme, implementing innovative initiatives in the fields of research, enhancement of European heritage, youth involvement, artistic practice and sustainable cultural and tourism development. Steadily growing, it started with six founders and has now represents nearly 50 members in 18 countries. Europe’s thermal towns are renowned centres of cultural and health tourism, and they continue to be attractive places to live with a high quality of life.
