The Great Spa Towns of Europe, one of UNESCO's newest World Heritage Sites, has launched an association to deliver the future management and protection of its member spa towns and cities.

The World Heritage Site was established in July 2021 and comprises 11 famous historic thermal spa towns and cities in seven countries (see below for full list of countries).

Named The Great Spa Towns of Europe Association, the new organisation launched last week after political representatives from the 11 towns congregated in Spa, Belgium, to sign the statutes of the new body.

Together, the politicians make up the Mayors Steering Group (MSG) of the association.

Margret Mergen, Lord Mayor of Baden-Baden and MSG chair, said: “It’s a great pleasure to have reached today's landmark following so many years of close cooperation between our 11 spa towns.

“Having achieved inscription on the World Heritage List, this is an important milestone as our organisation matures to take on the challenges of protection, presentation and management of these globally important places.”

Paul Simons, secretary-general of the project, added: “On achieving World Heritage status, UNESCO has made it abundantly clear that the Great Spa Towns of Europe has a major responsibility to protect the thermal heritage of Europe and promote its continuing use for the health and wellbeing of all, including future generations.”

The Great Spa Towns of Europe

• Baden bei Wien, Austria.• Spa, Belgium.

• Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic.• Marianske Lazne, Czech Republic.

• Frantiskovy Lazne, Czech Republic.• Vichy, France.

• Baden-Baden, Germany.• Bad Ems, Germany.

• Bad Kissingen, Germany.• Montecatini Terme, Italy.

• Bath, UK.

Each town was founded around natural mineral springs and their inscription onto the UNESCO World Heritage list will bring them better protection and enhanced cooperation in the fields of heritage conservation, balneology/health, tourism and promotion.