The 10th Panhellenic Congress of Thermal Medicine was held with outstanding success, significant participation, and remarkable scientific interest on May 14, 15, and 16, 2026, at the Caravel Hotel, co-organized by ELITOUR and held under the auspices of Ministries and the Athens Medical Association.
The congress brought together distinguished scientists from Greece and abroad, academics, representatives of the State, local government authorities, and the business sector, highlighting the dynamic role of Thermal Medicine and Thermal Health Tourism as strategic pillars for the country’s development.
During the proceedings of the congress, the latest scientific developments in the fields of Lifestyle Medicine and Thermal Medicine were presented, with emphasis on longevity, healthy living, prevention, and the improvement of quality of life through contemporary and complementary therapeutic approaches.
Greetings were delivered by Ministers, Presidents of scientific societies, and distinguished Professors from Greece and abroad, most notably by the President of the Athens Medical Association, Mr. Georgios Patoulis, who has played a leading role throughout the more than decade-long course of the Hellenic Academy of Thermal Medicine through the organization of international health tourism congresses worldwide, as President of the World Hippocratic Institute of Physicians, as well as through the promotion of Health and Wellness Tourism as President of ELITOUR.
The President of the Hellenic Academy of Thermal Medicine, Professor Konstantinos Kouskoukis, emphasized that Greece possesses all the necessary prerequisites to establish itself internationally as a leading destination for Thermal Health Tourism, Wellness, and Healthy Aging, by capitalizing on the unique natural wealth of its thermal springs, its exceptional bioclimate, and the high scientific level of Greek health professionals.
In particular, the Professor referred to the strategic objective of promoting the country as an international “Health Resort – Medi Spa,” offering high-level services in the fields of therapy, recovery, rehabilitation, longevity, and wellness. At the same time, he stressed that the development of Thermal Tourism could substantially contribute to strengthening the national economy, extending the tourist season, and creating new prospects for the country’s young scientists.
Furthermore, Professor Kouskoukis referred to the delay in implementing the law “on cross-border patient mobility” and to the inertia of the involved bodies regarding the development of a five-star thermal health resort complex in Santorini, due to the absence of a land-use framework and omissions in the new spatial planning regulations. In particular, the Platynamos thermal spring remains effectively under constraint despite its inclusion in Fast Track approvals, although the investment would generate sustainable twelve-month tourism rather than the existing three-to-four-month industrial tourism that burdens Santorini’s carrying capacity. The contribution of a thermal center for Thermal Medicine, characterized by a low environmental footprint and high added value, would attract individuals interested in Lifestyle Medicine services within an idyllic environment, contributing to the local community and enabling Santorini to become a model island of sustainable development.
The presentations delivered by the distinguished scientists and Professors participating in the congress attracted particular interest, highlighting contemporary approaches in Lifestyle Medicine and Thermal Medicine.
Mr. Alexandros Yatzidis, Surgeon, Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Communication and Health Information (IEKETY), Secretary General of the World Association of Journalists and Correspondents of the Greek Press (PESKAET), and Secretary General of the Hellenic Academy of Thermal Medicine, presented the contribution of IEKETY and PESKAET to Lifestyle Medicine, highlighting new prospects for research and innovation in the field of health and wellness.
Mr. Yatzidis announced the official institutional support letter from the Minister of Health, Mr. Adonis Georgiadis, addressed to IEKETY, through which the Ministry of Health expressed its positive stance toward the initiative for the development of the National Medical Library of Greece in both physical and digital form, as well as the broader ecosystem of evidence-based health information and the fight against health misinformation.
Dermatologist and President of the Anti-Aging Academy, Ms. Maria Kardasi, presented the contribution of Dermatology to Lifestyle Medicine, emphasizing the importance of prevention, anti-aging interventions, and comprehensive skin care in maintaining health and quality of life.
Neurology Specialist and holder of an MSc in Occupational Health and Safety from Democritus University of Thrace, Mr. Emmanouil Kouskoukis, presented the contribution of Thermal Medicine to diseases of the nervous system, highlighting the potential of complementary therapeutic approaches in improving neurological health and patients’ quality of life.
Neurologist, MSc in Genomic Medicine, and President of the Hellenic Society of Homeopathic Medicine, Mr. Dimosthenis Papamethodiou, discussed the relationship between Thermal Medicine and Homeopathy, emphasizing the complementary role of holistic therapeutic approaches in contemporary medical practice.
Professor of Geriatrics and Specialist in Internal Medicine, Mr. Kimon Volikas, referred to the connection between Thermal Medicine and Geriatrics, underlining the importance of prevention, functional health, and the support of healthy aging.
Professor of Cellular Technology/Biosensors, Rector of the Agricultural University of Athens, and Academician of the Hellenic Agricultural Academy, Mr. Spyridon Kintzios, developed the topic of “Botanical Pharmacology and Holistic Health,” emphasizing the significance of natural therapeutic approaches and the utilization of plant-based pharmacology in the contemporary holistic management of health and wellness.
Professor of Environmental Engineering at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and President–Director of the National Hellenic Research Foundation, Mr. Dimosthenis Sarigiannis, developed the topic of “Climate Exposure and Thermal Medicine,” emphasizing the close interconnection between environment, prevention, and health.
Dr. Afrodite Emmanouilidou, Cytologist, discussed the contribution of radon to longevity, presenting noteworthy scientific data regarding its beneficial properties.
Biotechnology and longevity development consultant, Mr. Christos Boukouvalas, presented the topic “Thermal Medicine and the Longevity Ecosystem,” analyzing international trends in healthy aging and innovation.
Professor of Genomics and Molecular Medicine and Research at the Universities of New South Wales and Buckingham, Mr. Ioannis Giannios, referred to personalized Thermal Medicine and the possibilities offered by modern genomic applications in prevention and treatment.
Emeritus Professor of Toxicology and Hygiene at the University of Crete, Mr. Aristidis Tsatsakis, presented the significance of telomeres as indicators of wellness and healthy living, emphasizing contemporary scientific developments in the field of longevity.
Physiotherapist Ms. Ioanna Kyrligkitsi presented the essential role of physiotherapy in Lifestyle Medicine and in improving daily functionality and wellness.
Emeritus Professor of the Medical School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Mr. Georgios Koliakos, developed the topic of the “clocks of aging,” analyzing the biological mechanisms associated with the aging process.
Finally, Academician and Emeritus Professor of Pediatrics and Endocrinology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and President of the Pasteur Institute, Mr. Georgios Chrousos, presented contemporary approaches to stress management, highlighting the importance of mental balance for overall health and well-being.
The conclusions of the congress confirmed that Thermal Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine constitute sectors with significant developmental prospects and international momentum, while Greece can play a leading role on the global map of Health and Wellness Tourism as a “Healing Land,” as it is internationally ranked among the world’s five Blue Zones and recognized as a destination of “Bliss & Bless” sustainable tourism.
Konstantinos Kouskoukis
Professor of Dermatology – Lawyer – Researcher
President of the Hellenic Academy of Thermal Medicine
President of the World Academy of Chinese & Complementary Medicine
Vice President of the Society of Genomics and Molecular Medicine and Research
Second Vice President of the Global Doctors’ Hippocratic Institute & ELITOUR