VARY°Kolegium 2026: Karlovy Vary Open the Debate on the Future of Spa Medicine

On Wednesday, February 4, the first edition of the VARY°Kolegium 2026 conference took place at the Imperial Spa (Císařské lázně) in Karlovy Vary. This new platform aims to connect an expert perspective on spa medicine with current questions concerning the town's shape and further development.

The conference was divided into four thematic sessions, featuring perspectives from the full breadth of fields related to spa medicine – medical, tourism, economic, urban planning, hydrogeological, and student viewpoints. Contributions were offered by representatives of Hotel Thermal, Grandhotel Pupp, Spa Hotel Imperial, the CzechTourism agency, the Živý kraj organization, KAM KV, the Karlovy Vary Tourist Information Centre, the Imperial Spa (Císařské lázně), and our Institute. As a special guest, influencer Karel „Kovy“ Kovář appeared, bringing an unconventional perspective on the topic from the point of view of the younger generation.

We were delighted by the presentation given by secondary school students – winners of last year's student ideathon – who showed that the future of spa medicine may look quite different from what we can imagine today.

Representatives of our Institute presented a research perspective on the field to which we have long been dedicated. The discussion confirmed that the role of spa medicine in the town is not a simple topic with quick answers. We therefore believe that VARY°Kolegium will become a regular venue for open and substantive debate on how to develop spa medicine in Karlovy Vary and how to communicate its value clearly to the public.