Three-day expert congress in Bad Hofgastein brings the healing power of forests and water into focus
From November 8 to 10, 2024, Paracelsus Medical University (PMU), Innovation Salzburg GmbH, and Forum Via Sanitas will host the expert congress "Healing Power of the Alps" in Bad Hofgastein. This three-day event, centered around the theme "Forests and Water," will offer a platform for sharing expert knowledge, innovative ideas, and best practices in evidence-based health tourism. The goal is to promote dialogue between the medical and tourism sectors in Salzburg and beyond.
“Our ninth 'Healing Power of the Alps' congress is dedicated to exploring the health benefits of forests and water, from traditional healing methods to modern approaches in health tourism,” says Assoc. Prof. Arnulf Hartl, head of the Institute of Ecological Medicine at Paracelsus Medical University in Salzburg. “The Gastein Valley, with its unique health tourism offerings of mountains, nature, thermal baths, and healing tunnels, provides the perfect setting for this event,” adds the immunologist, whose team is currently conducting two clinical studies in the region focusing on prevention and rehabilitation.
The congress will open on November 8, with speeches from Salzburg's Regional Health Minister Mag. Daniela Gutschi, PMU Rector Prof. Wolfgang Sperl, representatives from ARGE ALP, the mayors of Bad Füssing and Bad Gastein, and the directors of the Bad Hofgastein and Bad Gastein tourism boards. In addition to presentations and panel discussions, the event will also feature excursions.
Experts from Medicine, Science, Tourism, and Nature Conservation
Keynote speakers include Dr. Gisela Immich (Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich), who will present on the "Health Benefits of Forests," and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arnulf Hartl (PMU), who will discuss "Alpine Healing Waters." Frank Oette (Bavarian Spa Association) and Tobias Kurz (Mayor of Bad Füssing) will highlight the role of forests in health in Bavaria, while Mag. Bernhard Lehofer (Innovation Salzburg) will speak on the opportunities of nature-based health tourism from the perspective of EUSALP (EU Strategy for the Alpine Region).
Innovative health approaches will also be central to the discussion: Dr. Martin Offenbächer (Gastein Healing Gallery) will introduce "Health Resort Medicine 2.0," Dr. Markus Müller (Head of the Psychosomatics Research Group, Nuremberg Hospital) will present the "Greencare Study on Nature and Mental Health," and Christoph Köstinger (Gastein Healing Gallery) will outline Gastein’s strategy as a health destination. Researchers from PMU will share findings from studies on prevention and rehabilitation in the Gastein health region. Another highlight will be a keynote on incorporating nature’s healing powers into therapeutic and tourism concepts, delivered by health educator and forest therapist Gabriella Squarra. Johannes Ablinger (Federal Research Centre for Forests) will focus on forest education and its positive effects on children and adolescents.
The congress will conclude with excursions on Sunday, November 11, including “Forest Bathing in Angertal” and guided tours of the Gastein Springs.
The "Healing Power of the Alps – Forests & Water" congress is supported by the EU-Interreg-Projekt „WiWa²“ and ARGE ALP. It is organized as a green event in collaboration with Forum Via Sanitas. Heilkraft der Alpen and EUSALP AG2, with support from the State of Salzburg.
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PROGRAMME and REGISTRATION: www.innovation-salzburg.at/veranstaltung/kongress-heilkraft-der-alpen-wald-wasser/
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