Strategic Lines
Thermal Planning
The Thermal Planning aims to lay the foundations for the configuration of the destination. It focuses its attention on legislation, as well as on planning, articulation, and valuation. In all these actions it is necessary that the different agents participate, both private entities and administrations since cooperation is fundamental.
Thus, the actions to be undertaken within this first strategic line are divided into several fields.
- Adaptation of the legislative framework
At the legislative level, the novel Law 8/2019 of 23 December, regulating the recreational use of the thermal waters of Galicia (with entry into force on 3 February 2020) is also essential.
Both the creation of the bodies and the definition of the law is intended to facilitate the work in order to establish a good classification and definition of the existing offer. In the timing of the plan, these actions are placed in a priority position.
The aim is also to promote the therapeutic aspect of the waters and facilities. The association between health infrastructures and spas or thalassotherapy centers for the use of the waters after a period of medical treatment is emerging as the way forward.
- Territorial planning
Within territorial planning, emphasis is placed on work in the environment of the Miño River, aimed both at protection and conservation and at the revitalization and recovery of spaces and heritage.
- Sectorial planning
Following the so-called "Plan do Termalismo de Galicia", which, in addition to protecting the points with the greatest thermal potential, seeks to achieve sustainable use of existing resources and develop thermal facilities that are respectful of the environment.
- Patrimonial valorization of the resources
The municipality of Verín hosts, among others, the important Fontenova and Cabreiroá springs. The special plans dedicated to them seek both to recover the environment and to enhance their promotion and enjoyment.
- Completion and start-up of unfinished projects
This action concentrates its efforts on the opening of the Balneario de Berán, following the restoration work on the facilities, through the publication of a tender for the operation of the same.
- Coordination in the management of thermal tourism
The Consello Termal Ourensán and the Comité Executivo Termal, the executive body of the Consello, are created. The goal is the defense of Ourense as a thermal province at the national and international level, with the objective that its positioning contributes to balanced territorial development and the creation of quality employment.
Also in this field of action, it seeks to effectively implement the "Plan de Manexo das Augas" (Law 5/1995, of June 7) and develop the Senior Thermal Tourism Program of Galicia, while expanding the Imserso. The social thermalism is also emerging as an important element, since it is a pillar of thermalism in Galicia, collaborating in its development in the last decades of the 20th century.
In parallel to the Plan, other planning initiatives are also defined, among which the "Raia Termal", a cross-border project that seeks to strengthen the relationship between the thermal waters of Ourense and those of Northern Portugal, stands out.
Thermal Infrastructures
This strategic line is entirely focused on bringing to successful conclusion interventions, both in thermal establishments and in routes or itineraries.
- Rehabilitation and adaptation of existing infrastructures
The balnearios de Cortegada and Caldas de Partovia renovate their facilities, in 2015 and 2017 respectively. From the Plan it is proposed to finish the pending works in them. There are also different projects for other thermal centers such as O Porteiro, Bembibre, Mondón, Castrelo de Miño, Aguas de Vilaza-Requeixo, and Berán.
A project to adapt the Prexigueiro establishment to adapt its facilities to the category of spas and to provide the complex with accommodation places is also worth mentioning.
Other planned interventions include the construction of a Floating Thermal Floating Pool in Laias (connected to the outdoor pool of the Laias spa hotel), the proposal of Ecocaldas in Lobios (within the Parque Natural do Xurés), which proposes the creation of thermal baths in the vicinity of the Balneario de Lobios, among others.
With regard to the defense of tourist excellence, aid is contemplated to facilitate the achievement of the Q mark for Tourist Quality for thermal establishments.
- Creation of new sustainable infrastructures
Much of the efforts are focused on the construction of a Spa Hotel in the capital of Ourense, in the area of As Burgas, with the aim of reinforcing its status as the Thermal Capital of Galicia. The designed complex will have accommodation, private and public thermal area, a restaurant area, a meeting area, and services.
As Burgas, with the aim of reinforcing its status as Thermal Capital of Galicia.
In the same city of Ourense, the possibility of creating a "Thermal Congress and Wellness Center", as well as a Thermal Health Center is being considered.
In addition to the own thermal infrastructures, it emphasizes the proposal of dynamization of the Ourense deputation and also pays attention to the historical and artistic assets of the province. This is the case of the Mansio Aquis Querquennis in the form of the proposal Aquiscaldas, which aims to condition the thermal space, as well as the creation of accommodation places in the vicinity. In this same strategic line, the creation of a wine therapy area is planned in the monastery of San Clodio, parish of Leiro.
- Conditioning two environments of the thermal infrastructures
Within this line of action, we must also mention the Thermal and Water Route, linked to the facilities surrounding the river Támega, between Verín and Chaves (already in Portugal). It is an itinerary designed to be traveled on foot or by bicycle. Also in Verín, the Fontenova and Caldeliñas springs have been reopened and their surroundings have been conditioned.
Of course, also contemplated are works of conditioning and repair of already existing infrastructures: improvement of the access to the spa of Laias, the path in the municipality of Lobios, the creation of areas of motor homes or the project of the luminous path of Cabreiroá, the Thermal Park of O Carballiño, etc.
- Sustainable mobility
With regard to sustainable mobility, the Galician tourist trains, the promotion of the use of the Catamaran as alternative transport, and various bicycle routes (Ecobicis) are the protagonists. It is also planned to increase the number of stops along the banks of the Miño River according to the needs and demands of users.
With the objective of guaranteeing access to the resources, the Plan pays special attention to the improvement of the signaling of the thermal resources of Ourense: 166 new signs were introduced.
Thermal products
Within strategic line number 3, the Revitalization Plan includes 13 actions focused on the creation of thermal tourism products in the short term, 7 in the medium or long term and, in a transversal way, the promotion of healthy gastronomy.
Design of tourist products to be developed in the short term
The actions and products to be promoted under this sub-section are organized according to 5 designations:
Tourism products to be developed in the short term
● A Auga coida de ti, which focus on corporate thermalism for companies, on "Personalized Treatment Week" - defining integral restorative experiences for the client, organized according to different criteria (groups, specialties, pathologies, etc.) - and on the Tren Ourense Termal.
● A auga divírtete: organized around the concepts "Entroido Termal", "Ourense Nippon" and "BTT-Termal", this line of action seeks to unite leisure and sport experiences with the thermal offer. This is the case, for example, of "Xurés Thermal Bike", which combines thermalism in the balneario de Lobios, with BTT and cycling routes in the protected area of the Xurés-Gerês Park.
● Auga e patrimonio, through the experiences "Ourense Capital Termal" and, on the other hand, "Termalismo na Ribeira Sacra / Enohidroturismo na Ribeira Sacra". The first consists of the articulation of a thermal tourism product in the city of Ourense, through the enjoyment of different resources of the city. The second experience combines the natural enclave of the Ribeira Sacra with enohydrotourism.
● A auga fonte de vida: the products "Descanso Termal Peregrino", "Camiño da Prata Termal" and "Compostela Termal" unite two of the great Galician tourist resources: thermalism and the Way of St. James. In the context of Galician tourism it is difficult to forget the Way of St. James as the backbone. The project "Un descanso en los Caminos", for example, seeks to combine the pilgrimage route with the Galician thermal offer.
● Galicia baixo a chuvia: rain and winter weather conditions are perfectly compatible with the enjoyment of thermalism and rural Galicia. Hence, the product "Inverno Termal". On the other hand, the experience "Primeira pel, segunda pel" brings together thermalism, shopping (shopper assistant included) and industrial tourism.
Proposal of tourism products to be developed in the medium-long term
● Auga de camiñar, Parque Termal de O Carballiño: As its name indicates, this product combines stay and thermal activities with walks along the surrounding routes.
● Auga de Beber, Verín: health tourism and sports tourism are the protagonists of this experience. In those facilities that offer an ideal environment for the practice of certain sports -such as canoeing or rowing-, training is combined with accommodation, medical supervision and rest in the thermal facilities.
● Auga de Respirar, Ecofronteira Termal de Lobios: pure air, water and hot vapors are combined in this product.
● Auga de Lecer, Miño Termal: the Tren da Beira do Miño, catamarans, bicycle nets, thermalism, etc. are the elements that shape the Miño Termal product.
● Auga de Pensar, Meditation Stays: the much-needed search for tranquility, far from the urban noise, is the axis that shapes the product "Auga de pensar".
● Auga de Vivir, Retirement: the idea is to recover villages with the aim of serving as a retirement space for people who, already retired, are looking to move to a quiet area.
● Auga de Contar, Rutas "Momentos da Historia Orensá": the imprint of history is deep in Galicia, so this product seeks to merge cultural tourism with thermal tourism.
● Others: Aquis Baths, The Roman Baths, Wedding anniversaries, thermal birthdays, accessible thermalism, mum "s weekends, father "s weekends, companies weekends, digital detox, etc.
Tourist products linked to healthy gastronomy
Customization is currently fundamental in tourist offers. Thus, starting from an initial consultation, specific thermal products are designed for the client. In addition, the stay is complemented by the offer of a healthy gastronomy. Of course, this type of gastronomy is the bet at the time of designing many of the menus of the spas, at the same time that the local enogastronomy is promoted.
Are you looking for a spa or health resort to relax in?
HAVE A LOOK TO OUR WEB BROWSER TO FIND THE BEST HOTELS FOR YOU!
Thermal knowledge
A fundamental axis for the improvement of the thermalism is, without a doubt, the need to strengthen the thermal culture. In this field is focused the fourth strategic line of the Dynamization Plan, centered, in turn, on four main axes: training, research, innovation and dissemination of the thermal culture.
- Training
One of the first actions that the Plan proposes to develop is the creation of a specific degree on thermal design, with the aim of training accredited specialists in this specific sector.
Similarly, it is necessary to promote the creation of courses in hydrothermalism and balneotherapy, which will enable the qualification and training of both new professionals and professionals already working in the field.
In addition, the training of "Water steward", which will give rise to specialists trained in multiple aspects related to bottled thermal waters: history, classification and properties, tasting techniques, gastronomic applications, etc.
Another line of action -contemplated in the Plan as an additional element- is the creation of a Thermal Hotel-School, based in Verín and in Vidago, in the field of cross-border collaboration between Galicia and Northern Portugal.
- Research (Itinerant conferences through the thermal villages of Galicia / Bioglea de las aguas / Atlas termal)
There are several studies that delve into the thermal wealth of the province, both at the historical and patrimonial level and from a geological or hydrological approach. This is the case of the work of Dr. Pedro Araujo, the studies on the neighborhood of A Ponte or the Antela lagoon.
It should also be noted that a field of research to be developed is the application of peloids for therapeutic and cosmetic purposes, especially the case of hyperthermal peloids such as muds or biogleas.
Also, from the Plan it is sought to promote the elaboration of a European Thermal Atlas, based on a Geographic Information System, which allows to collect all the thermal resources on the basis of a data model created for it.
Also with the aim of making known the thermal culture, seminars, conferences and workshops are organized: International Water Congress, Atlantic Forum "Ourense Thermal Province", Foro Termal do Eixo Atlántico, the International Workshop The Water Ages, etc. In the international field, an important step in the study of the Thermal Heritage is the creation of Thermal Heritage of Europe Atlas, promoted by the European Historic Thermal Towns Association (EHTTA), of which the city of Ourense is a member.
Are you looking for a spa or health resort to relax in?
HAVE A LOOK TO OUR WEB BROWSER TO FIND THE BEST HOTEL!
- Innovation (Master Thermal Tourism - Campus da Auga: EIP on Water / Thermal Cosmetics / Thermal Fashion)
Betting for the creation of the Water Campus, with the aim of carrying out a specialization in thermalism of the Ourense Campus (belonging to the University of Vigo). Within this campus, in addition to various laboratories, the Master's Degree in Management and Planning of Inland and Health Tourism is offered, complemented by a doctoral program. The goals are clear: the training of highly specialized professionals in the sector and for this campus to become part of the EU's EIP on Water.
Also in the innovation section, work in the field of thermal cosmetics is emerging as a complement of great importance for thermal tourism, both for its aesthetic and restorative applications, as well as for its contribution to image creation.
As an innovative product, it is also defended the research to define thermal fashion products. In Ourense territory there are several textile companies of reference and, therefore, the union between both sectors -fashion and thermalism- is defended.
- Dissemination of the thermal culture (Alejandra Juno Library / Ourense Film Festival: Thermal Section)
The training is supported by the dissemination and existence of reference works. In this sense, another of the actions defended is the creation of the Alejandra Juno Library, which seeks to collect the publications that the expert Docto Luis Rodríguez Míguez has been able to collect on thermalism.
Equally in the field of the diffusion, the creation of a section of "thermal" cinema that collects works set in thermal facilities or related to the thermal patrimony is proposed.
Thermal Promotion
- Brand Strategy
In the field of thermal promotion, the first major action undertaken is the creation of a brand image, which should be reflected in the various promotional actions to be undertaken.
This is the case of the creation of the "Water Tourism Product Club", which will group together - based on specific requirements - the very diverse services and products related to water in Galicia: thermal tourism, rivers, estuaries, water sports, marine tourism, etc.
The presence of the brand in various sporting events, both national and international, has been another of the Plan's initiatives. Other initiatives in the field of promotion have been: the introduction of advertising posters, in the media, etc.
Subscribe to our newsletter and
GET OUR GUIDE "7 TIPS TO PREPARE YOUR RELAX GETAWAY!
- Marketing the destination Ourense Thermal Province
First of all, the creation of the web space, which compiles and presents the thermal resources of the province, following the inventory carried out in the diagnostic phase of the Dynamization Plan, stands out.
In the field of promotion, of course, it is necessary to mention Termatalia, where Ourense Termal has a strong presence, besides being organized in alternate years in the city of Ourense itself. Also related to the specialized fairs, the Plan was presented at Fitur, in 2015, before national and international media.
It is proposed to designate March 22 as Thermal Day, coinciding with World Water Day. The idea is that the water is the protagonist and, with it, the thermalism, proposing open days and informative days.
- Marketing of new industrial products that create destination image (Ourense brand cosmetic line: perfume and equipment)
Within the marketing of new products, cosmetics (as mentioned above) is defined as a fundamental element in the creation of an image. The creation of the Aqua Aurienses cosmetic line is proposed, in addition to another line of perfumery and products based on the thermal culture of the province.
- Participation in networks and establishment of alliances
Within the establishment of alliances, the Plan seeks to strengthen several fields of action. Firstly, the reactivation of the alliances formed under the concept of Thermal Villages, which defines the collaboration between the cities that receive this designation, both at Galician and Spanish level. In a similar line, but combining thermalism and historical-cultural heritage, the joint work of the Historic Thermal Towns of Galicia, united under the name EHTTA -European Historic Thermal Towns Association-
Are you looking for a spa or health spa to relax in?
