The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the European Travel Commission (ETC) gathered in Budapest to explore health and wellness tourism. At the meeting, participants debated the proposed research to agree on a consistent terminology to define and describe health tourism, the latest trends shaping health tourism and how tourism destinations can tap into these opportunities. Discussions were based around ongoing ETC and UNWTO research on health tourism, a complex and not yet well-defined segment.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Hungarian Tourism Agency, the World Health Organization (WHO), the European Union (EU), the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the European Spas Association, the Global Wellness Institute. Delegates came from Spain, Mexico, Malaysia, Lithuania, and Hungary.

As is typical for meetings like this in Europe, people gather and discuss issues, but the participants are often powerless to set official policy.