Last March, Andorra became the global hub for mountain tourism by hosting the 13th edition of the World Congress on Snow, Mountain and Wellness Tourism, a leading international event that has been bringing together experts, institutions and leaders from the tourism sector since 1998. With over 300 participants from 15 countries and more than 30 leading speakers, this year’s event has cemented Andorra’s position as a pioneering destination at the intersection of tourism, health and wellbeing.
Recognition of Andorra Health Destination’s excellence
Andorra Health Destination’s active participation in this prestigious international conference marks a significant milestone for our association. Joan Muro de Sas, president of Andorra Health Destination, had the honour of moderating the session ‘Digital detox and wellbeing: disconnect to reconnect’, a forum for reflection that addressed one of the most pressing challenges of our contemporary society: the value of conscious disconnection in a world saturated with screens and hyperconnectivity.
The panel featured leading international experts such as Alina Huseynli, director of the Institute of Spa and Balneology in the Czech Republic, and Lina Nosevič, executive director of the National Association of Medical Spa and Rehabilitation Centres in Lithuania. Together, they explored how mountain destinations can position themselves as ideal spaces for personal reconnection, health and quality of life in a context of technological saturation.
Well-being as a distinguishing feature of mountain tourism
The conference has highlighted that well-being and the chance to switch off are gaining prominence as key added values for mountain destinations. In a world where hyperconnectivity has become the norm, natural mountain environments are emerging as sanctuaries where silence, fresh air and contact with nature become therapeutic tools for restoring inner balance.
This vision aligns perfectly with the mission of Andorra Health Destination, an association born out of a public-private partnership that brings together more than 25 partners from across the health and wellbeing sector in Andorra. Our value proposition is based precisely on offering holistic experiences that combine cutting-edge medical treatments, wellbeing activities and the exceptional natural setting of the Pyrenees.
A successful public-private partnership model
Joan Muro de Sas’s role as moderator in one of the congress’s most significant sessions represents not only a personal accolade but also a validation of the partnership model embodied by Andorra Health Destination. Our ability to bring together medical clinics, wellness centres, specialised hotels and health professionals under a single brand demonstrates the strength and potential of the health and wellness sector in Andorra.
The congress has also served to showcase the excellence of our health tourism offering on the international stage. Attendees, from 15 different countries, were able to experience first-hand the quality and diversity of the treatments and experiences offered by Andorra Health Destination, ranging from regenerative medicine and sports medicine treatments to wellness programmes and thermal water therapies.
Looking to the Future
The 13th edition of the World Congress on Snow, Mountain and Wellness Tourism has made it clear that the future of mountain tourism lies in integrating wellness as a central element of the value proposition. Andorra Health Destination is perfectly positioned to lead this transformation, thanks to its ecosystem of outstanding partners, its exceptional natural environment and its commitment to innovation in health and wellness.
Active participation in prestigious international forums such as this congress reinforces our commitment to excellence whilst enabling us to remain at the forefront of trends in health and wellness tourism. At Andorra Health Destination, we will continue to work towards establishing Andorra as a world-leading destination for those seeking to look after their health, improve their wellbeing and reconnect with what truly matters in an unrivalled natural setting.
