In 2025, the Wellness Experience Awards, organized by the Piscina Barcelona trade show, are being reinvented with new categories and a global outreach. In its fifth edition, the awards will recognize the best spas, thermal resorts, wellness clinics, and wellness destinations of the year across a global map that spans from the Iberian Peninsula and Europe to countries in the Americas, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Special mentions will also be awarded to professionals in the sector. The goal: to identify and highlight those establishments that elevate the art of wellness to its highest expression.
From immersive spa experiences integrated into luxury hotels that perfect every sensory detail, to renowned thermal and mineral-medicinal water resorts; from clinics that combine medicine, nutrition, and mindfulness, to wellness destinations set in idyllic locations that promote sustainable, accessible tourism aligned with the UN’s 2030 Agenda SDGs. Any establishment that is capable of innovating and maximizing the wellness experience is eligible to participate in the 2025 Wellness Experience Awards.
Four categories and special mentions
The Wellness Experience Awards, coordinated by CONSWELL, Wellness Consultancy, will be granted in four categories: Best Wellness Spa, Best Thermal Resort, Best Wellness Clinic, and Best Wellness Destination, across three geographic areas: the Iberian Peninsula (Spain, Portugal, and Andorra), Europe, and the rest of the world. Additionally, special mentions will be awarded to individuals who are transforming the wellness industry through research, technology, education, or social impact.
The jury—composed of renowned experts in the fields of tourism, wellness, and sustainability—will not only assess stunning and flawless facilities, certifications, unique programs, or exclusive techniques. They will also consider technological innovation, architectural design, sustainable practices, digitalization, social impact, the quality of the customer journey, and real user feedback on platforms such as Google Reviews, TripAdvisor, and TrustPilot. In the case of wellness destinations, awards will go to territories that are healthy, accessible, sustainable, and culturally aligned with wellness values.
Participation is free and can be completed via the form available on the official Piscina Barcelona website. The deadline for registration is September 20, 2025. Three finalists per category and region will be announced one month before the event, and winners will be revealed at the gala taking place on November 17 during the trade fair. Furthermore, the jury reserves the right to nominate a selection of prestigious tourism businesses in each category, both within the Iberian Peninsula and internationally.
In addition to the trophy and official diploma, winning a Wellness Experience Award represents international recognition, placing the awarded establishments on the radar of the most discerning travelers who value health and well-being.
Wellness tourism, spas, and thermal resorts
Wellness tourism is undergoing a profound transformation and is becoming one of the fastest-growing sectors in the travel industry. According to the latest report from the Global Wellness Institute, the sector is expected to grow by 10.2% annually until 2028, reaching a global turnover of €1.3 trillion. At the same time, the same institute estimates that for spas and thermal and mineral-medicinal water establishments, the annual growth rate over the next three years will be 6.1% and 9.2%, respectively.
This upward trend reflects a new traveler mindset that seeks experiences with a positive impact on their mental, emotional, and physical health. Hotels are adapting their offerings by incorporating healthy, personalized menus, relaxation therapies, activities like yoga or hiking, and spaces designed to promote rest, with wellness as the central axis of the experience. In this context, spas and wellness spaces continue to play a leading role in accommodations and destinations committed to wellness tourism.
At the same time, mental health has gained unprecedented importance, and the personalization and democratization of wellness—making it accessible to all kinds of travelers, not just luxury clientele—has become a key priority. As a result, the concept of wellness tourism is being redefined to include proactive and preventive practices that improve lifestyle and make self-care an essential goal of the journey.
Technology, equipment, and inspiration in Barcelona
To support the growth of wellness tourism and develop new travel experiences in which water plays a fundamental role, hotels and other types of accommodations are investing in the renovation and modernization of their aquatic areas. In this context, the Piscina Barcelona trade show—held from November 17 to 20 at the Gran Via venue of Fira de Barcelona—positions itself as a key meeting point to discover leading international brands specializing in the design, construction, and equipment of wellness and spa spaces for health-focused hotels, sports centers, thermal resorts, and tourist accommodations.
Additionally, Piscina Barcelona will once again present a fully operational wellness center under the name “Outdoor & Wellness Experience,” which will include an active pool, a bioclimatic pool, spa, saunas, treatment cabins, and outdoor relaxation areas, all designed to showcase the latest trends and innovations in wellness and spa design and equipment.
The Wellness Experience Awards will be presented on November 17 at an event alongside other recognitions organized by Piscina Barcelona, including the International Competition for Architecture and Landscape Architecture Students for the best theoretical design of an aquatic complex located in the heart of Park Güell; the Piscina Barcelona Awards for the best residential and public-use pools; the award for the most innovative product in sustainability and connectivity at the fair; and the Outdoor Awards for the best outdoor space designs.
