“Tourism goes Health” symposium

One Health approach as the key to sustainable development

The symposium focused on the One Health approach, which regards human, animal and environmental health as an inseparable unit. In addition to medical care, the focus is on sustainable development and prevention – essential factors for the future of tourism.

“Lower Austria pursues the clear goal of establishing itself as a leading health region. By combining tourism, prevention and sustainable development, innovative offers are created that benefit both the residents and guests in the long term,” emphasises Heinz Boyer, Chairman of the Supervisory Board and founder of IMC Krems.

Learning from the best: Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania as a model region

Particular attention was paid to the best practice examples from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, which has established itself as a model region for sustainable health tourism in recent years. The concepts developed there for the integration of healing forests, natural forms of therapy and a close interlinking of tourism and healthcare offer valuable suggestions for the further development of Lower Austria.

The symposium not only provided a forum for the exchange of expertise but also enabled specific recommendations for the development of Lower Austria as a health region. Experts from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania presented proven strategies for promoting health tourism and provided practical ideas for the further development of health destinations. A high-level panel discussion highlighted the opportunities and challenges of sustainable health regions.

Göttweig Healing Forest as a flagship project

A key highlight of the event was the presentation of Austria’s first certified healing forest, the Göttweig Healing Forest, which will be officially opened on 18 June. This evidence-based model project impressively demonstrates how natural health promotion and tourism can be combined in synergy. Studies show the positive effects of forest therapy on stress reduction and physical well-being. Based on scientific findings, the healing forest will serve as an innovative place for prevention and therapy.

“The Göttweig Healing Forest is more than just a forest – it is a milestone in prevention and forest therapy. Here, the scientifically proven potential of nature is used in a targeted way to strengthen people, promote their health and open up a natural path to greater well-being,” Susanne Bauer, project manager of the Göttweig Healing Forest, explains.

Inspiration for the future of health tourism

The event aimed at stakeholders from tourism, healthcare, science and politics who want to jointly shape the future of health tourism. The insights and impulses from the symposium will help to further develop Lower Austria as a model region for sustainable health offers and establish it internationally as a role model.

“With this symposium, we provide a decisive impetus for the future of health tourism. Lower Austria has the potential to become a model region for sustainable health offers. Through intensive exchange with pioneering regions such as Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, we can adopt and further develop proven concepts to create innovative, scientifically based solutions for health tourism,” says Udo Brändle, CEO of IMC Krems.