Termatalia 2026 brings together destinations, companies and health tourism professionals from 16 countries at Expourense

usiness and training will be the main focuses of the trade fair, taking place on September 24 and 25, with 60 exhibitors, 50 speakers and 15 leading tour operators from their respective markets.

Following its 2025 edition in Colombia, Termatalia returns to its traditional European venue and will hold a new edition in Ourense on September 24 and 25. The 24th International Thermal Tourism, Health and Wellness Fair will take place at Expourense, bringing together exhibitors, travel wholesalers, thermal tourism experts, media professionals and trade visitors from 16 countries. The 7th International Water and Health Congress, featuring 50 experts, and the Tourism Business Workshop, with the participation of 15 leading international tour operators in their respective markets, will be the main professional activities. Alongside this focus on specialised training and business opportunities, the event will also feature its exhibition area and activities aimed at the general public.

The objectives of this edition are to generate business, knowledge and cooperation around thermal tourism.
The new edition of Termatalia was officially presented this morning at Expourense at an event attended by the territorial representative of the Xunta de Galicia in Ourense and president of the Executive Committee of Expourense, Manuel Pardo; the Provincial Deputy for Tourism, Thermal Tourism and Institutional Representation of the Provincial Council of Ourense and president of INORDE, Rosendo Fernández; and the Managing Director of Expourense and Director of Termatalia, Rogelio Martínez. They all highlighted Termatalia as a prime example of public-private cooperation that contributes to promoting and positioning thermal tourism in Ourense and Galicia on the international map.

The 24th edition of Termatalia is presented as an in-person event and as a major meeting point for the international thermal tourism community. It will feature 60 exhibitors from Europe and the Americas. Termatalia 2026 has direct participation from 16 countries: Germany, Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Spain, the United States, Ireland, Mexico, Peru, Portugal, Ukraine and Uruguay.

This new edition, with a strong professional focus, will once again address the key areas for the development of the sector: business, training and professional networking. It will offer a comprehensive programme of professional activities highlighting the need for public-private cooperation in the development of Thermal and Wellness Tourism worldwide, while also positioning Galicia and Ourense as professional training centres in the field of thermal tourism.
Termatalia will welcome exhibitors from 16 countries across Europe and the Americas. Portugal stands out for its strong commitment, with the participation of public and private organisations from across the country, which see Termatalia as the ideal platform to promote their thermal centres internationally.

BUSINESS ACTIVITIES

Termatalia 2026 has organised a new edition of the Tourism Business Workshop, with the participation of 15 specialised tour operators with purchasing capacity in their respective markets, covering both health tourism and tourism in general.
From Spain, participants will include Civitatis, Abies Travel, Hotteo Travel, Maxima Bienestar, Inturismo, Rutas Meigas, Interrías, Turismo Vivencial and Sol VIP. The main specialised wholesalers from Portugal, such as Vefa Travel and INATEL, will also participate. JAF Travel from the United States, Smartbox from Ireland and Spain, Colombia Sky from Colombia and Eurolatino from Germany complete the list of participants.

TRAINING

The 7th International Water and Health Congress will be one of the main professional highlights of Termatalia 2026. It will bring together 50 experts from around ten countries to analyse the evolution of thermal tourism and health and wellness tourism, as well as the main challenges and opportunities facing the thermal tourism, health tourism and wellness tourism sectors.

The programme will address highly topical issues such as active ageing and thermal tourism, new wellness trends, quality and best practices in thermal establishments, artificial intelligence and university research, medical hydrology, geothermal energy, and the role of thermal spas as drivers of economic and social development in their territories, with particular attention to rural areas. The Congress will also strengthen connections between Europe and Latin America, promoting the exchange of knowledge and experiences.

With an approach combining health, science, tourism, innovation and territorial development, this Congress will contribute to positioning Ourense as a major international meeting point for professionals, institutions and companies linked to thermal tourism and wellness tourism.

The Congress will take place across two venues, the Europe Room and the America Room, where presentations will be held continuously and simultaneously. It will also be broadcast via streaming.

MINERAL WATER

Termatalia will serve as a platform for the bottled Mineral Water Industry, with activities such as the International Water Tasting, which will celebrate its 21st edition. The jury will be chaired by Galician sommelier Mercedes González.

There will also be a Water Bar where visitors can taste different types of mineral water. Water sommelier Mercedes González will conduct “express tastings” open to anyone wishing to deepen their knowledge of water. This activity will be complemented by a workshop offering a sustainable sensory journey through Costa Rica using mineral water, coffee, cocoa and fruit. It will take place on Thursday, September 24 at 1:30 p.m.

EXPERIENCE TERMATALIA – ACTIVITIES FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC

Although the fair has a stronger professional focus, the organisers have prepared a comprehensive programme of activities allowing the general public to experience the event by “treating themselves to health and wellness”.

One of the main attractions will be the “The Thermal Mystery of Ourense” Roulette, available at the stand of the Provincial Council of Ourense, where visitors can take part and win different prizes. Another new feature will be the tasting of “Thermal Ice Cream” and other varieties carrying the Galicia Calidade seal, available at the stand of the Galicia Tourism Agency.

The fair will feature several massage areas. These will be provided, on the one hand, by Centro Shalom and the Association of Beauty and Aesthetics Professionals of Galicia and, on the other, by students from vocational training centres in Ourense. In addition to involving different companies, Termatalia has also engaged vocational training students from fields related to wellness and hospitality. Coordinated by the Galician Centre for Innovation in Vocational Training – Eduardo Barreiros, students from CIFP A Farixa and IES 12 de Outubro in Ourense will provide various demonstrations and treatments during the fair.

A wellness yoga workshop will also be held by Experiencia Wellness, while the Asociación Diabética Auria will be present to highlight the importance of maintaining healthy lifestyle habits.

Termatalia 2026 has the main support of the Xunta de Galicia, through the Galicia Tourism Agency, and the Provincial Council of Ourense. It also has the collaboration of the University of Vigo’s Campus Auga, the Chair of Medical Hydrology–Thermal Spas of Galicia at the University of Santiago de Compostela, ICTES, the City Council of Archena, Galicia Calidade and RENFE as Official Transport, providing transportation to Ourense for professionals travelling to Expourense via Madrid.

The fair will be open continuously from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 24 and Friday, September 25.

All the information is available at www.termatalia.com and on its social media channels.

The official opening ceremony will take place on Thursday, September 24 at 9:30 a.m.