AUTHOR'S NAME: ANDRES CAMPOS

Perspectives of the Thermal Industry

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This course includes only a PowerPoint presentation (.pptx) provided by the instructor.
It does not include a video lesson with audio narration, but only a non-downloadable silent video.

Summary 
 “Perspectives of the Thermal Industry” by Andres Campos (SITH, 2025):
In recent years, the thermal industry has undergone a profound transformation, evolving from a traditional medical practice into an integral part of the global wellness economy—now valued at over 6.3 trillion dollars. Within this vast market, the sector of thermal and mineral springs—though representing a relatively small share—maintains a strategic role thanks to its unique ability to combine health, prevention, and sustainable development.
But in what we are really interested is in the use of waters for a very important, noble and selective purpose: The health of human beings. The curative virtues of Thermal Waters have been known for centuries; and also the use of mineral waters, with no pollution, that have been in the base of human feeding.
Europe, with approximately 22,000 active facilities and a long-standing medical and cultural tradition, accounts for nearly two-thirds of the world’s market value. Germany, Italy, and France lead the sector, while Spain and Portugal show increasing interest in wellness tourism. The clientele is divided between those seeking relaxation and preventive experiences (the wellness segment, younger and more dynamic) and those undergoing prescribed therapeutic treatments (the medical segment, predominantly over 60).
The progressive ageing of Europe’s population—with more than 130 million people over 65 expected by 2050—represents both a challenge and an opportunity. On one hand, the rise in healthcare costs threatens the sustainability of public systems; on the other, thermal medicine offers natural and preventive solutions to improve quality of life and reduce healthcare expenditure.


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In this context, Italy, Germany and France stand out as virtuous models of integration between thermal treatments and national healthcare systems, benefiting both communities and local economies. Nonetheless, significant legislation differences in public coverage of thermal cures exist among European countries, raising a problem for the development of the industry, and the use by its citizens.
The Covid-19 pandemic marked a temporary setback but also accelerated the recognition of thermal centers as valuable facilities for health promotion and rehabilitation. Today, the industry has nearly recovered pre-pandemic levels and is moving toward new directions: digitalization, environmental sustainability, longevity programs, and mental wellness.
Scientific research—supported by initiatives such as the Marcial Campos International Prize for Thermal Research—is key to expanding medical awareness of the sector. Fostering the use of thermal waters will improve citizens´ wellness, both health and quality of life, in a population with every year increasing life expectancies.
The thermalism of the future will be a combination of medicine, tourism, and sustainability, capable of contributing to public health and the well-being of European communities.
“Thermalism does not belong to the past, but to the future of medicine.” — Andres Campos, 2025

Dr. ANDRES CAMPOS

Andrés Campos – President SITH

Established in 1959, the foundational purpose of SITH (International Society of Hydrothermal Techniques) is to stimulate and promote in all countries the research, study and application of hydrothermal techniques (thermal and mineral) within disciplines such as natural sciences, engineering, economy, geology, bacteriology or any other discipline with a direct or indirect connection to this field.


It is a non-profit organization, dedicating all its resources to achieve its foundational purposes. Headquarters are currently located in Spain, and its structure is established through national sections, that constitute the worldwide network of this organization.

The main goals of SITH are, among others, the following:

• To publicize with all possible means to promote collaboration between the different organizations that collaborate in the hydrothermal field, establishing contacts between professionals in this sector, organizing study trips to publicize the thermal resorts and the work programs of hydrothermal techniques.

• To collaborate in the realization of perfect legislation at the international level and in each country for the protection of the international hydroclimatic heritage and the development, at the university level, of the teaching of hydrothermal techniques.

• To value the activity of the hydrothermal technician and their functions within international thermalism, to defend the general interests of its members and to strive for the development of hydrothermal establishments and facilities.

• To support the constitution of new research and experimentation centres, as well as the studies carried out in this field, without hesitating to make technical consultations for the improvement of hydrothermal establishments.

• To set up information services (possibly with other associations or similar bodies), for the benefit of the association and its members, with a view to technical innovations in the sector.


SITH founders were people from different countries who shared the concern to develop thermalism.
Its congresses have been held in numerous countries on several continents: Italy, France, Russia, Germany, Spain, Argentina, Belgium, Poland, Switzerland, Hungary, Sweden, Bulgaria, Turkey, Czechoslovakia, the United Kingdom, Cuba, Romania, Japan, Iran, and Mexico.

Among its activities, SITH is the entity that regularly convenes the “International Prize Marcial Campos for Thermal Research”, in coordination with OMTh and ISMH. This award is addressed to foster, among all the scientific community related to thermalism, the research on various fields such as Medical hydrology, Climatology, Thalassotherapy,


Bacteriology and Biology; b) Geology, Geochemistry, Chemistry and Physics; c) Engineering, Architecture, Urbanism, Environmental Science; d) Economy, Finance, Law.


Andrés Campos is an Industrial Engineer by the Polytechnic University of Madrid (Spain), and Master of Science in Management by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) of Boston (United States).


Since 1996 he has been Chief Executive Officer of Termas de Cuntis, a thermal resort located in the region of Galicia. With two hotels and a building exclusively dedicated to balneological treatments, is one of the largest thermal facilities in Spain, with operations dating back to the XIX century.


Andres Campos has also been since 2002 President of SITH (International Society of Hydrothermal Techniques) and counsellor of OMTh (World Thermal Organization). His interest areas focus mainly on the economic and sociological factors related to thermal industry.

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