Media Release | 191031 Waldhotel joins the Wellness Tourism Association EN

Lake Lucerne, 31. October 2019

Press release

WALDHOTEL BECOMES FIRST SWISS HOTEL TO JOIN THE WELLNESS TOURISM ASSOCIATION Waldhotel Health & Medical Excellence at Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne to join the Wellness Tourism Association (WTA), a global network of stakeholders and supporters of the wellness tourism industry.

The 137 rooms and suites Waldhotel Health & Medical Excellence becomes one of 90-plus WTA members and partners from 18 countries. Incorporated as a not-for-profit in the U.S. State of Colorado in January 2018, the association welcomes qualifying DMOs, hotels, resorts, retreats, tour operators, travel advisors, wellness practitioners, media, and partners with an interest in supporting the global wellness tourism industry. With a unified goal of working together to shape and support the future of wellness tourism, the WTA seeks to create a common set of industry definitions and standards, educate and increase awareness of wellness tourism, as well as provide a networking platform for members of the industry.

«The wellness tourism industry continues to grow globally with the help of hotels like the Waldhotel Health & Medical Excellence,» said Anne Dimon, President and CEO of the Wellness Tourism Association. «We look forward to a strong partnership as we all work together to help shape and support the future of wellness tourism.»

As the WTA’s first member from Switzerland, the Waldhotel, designed by notable architect Matteo Thun, is a revolutionary health and medical center that focuses on promoting holistic health and wellness through a variety of innovative offerings combining medically supervised health retreats and spa treatments with stunning natural surroundings. With five-star state-of-the-art facilities including a medical & dermatology center, a 3500 m2 spa, and the Verbena Restaurant & Bar featuring the healthy Waldhotel Colour Cuisine as well as Switzerland’s first temperance bar, the property also offers a multidisciplinary team of doctors, therapists and nursing specialists who look after the health and wellbeing of each guest. Services include diagnostic and therapeutic services that are supplemented by a variety of preventative programs including detox, weight management and mindfulness. In the field of beauty and healthy ageing, a purpose build modern better-ageing

clinic awaits Waldhotel guests with beauty doctors and specialist. A walk-in dental clinic complements the offerings.

The Waldhotel Spa features 15 treatment rooms, three gyms, an Ice Lab, a group exercise room, two indoor pools and one outdoor pool with beautiful views of the Alps, and a separate Ladies Only area. Other facilities include: Salt Grotto, Kneipp bath (hot and cold), Finnish sauna, Aroma sauna, Hammam, Ice Room, Relaxation area indoors and outdoors, Relaxation areas with water beds.

«Since its inception, the Waldhotel has authentically and exclusively dedicated itself to the health and wellbeing of our guests, serving as a sanctuary for those in need of rehabilitation, medical attention or a respite from the stresses of everyday life,» commented Robert P. Herr, General Manager of the Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne.

«It’s an honor to join the Wellness Tourism Association and we look forward to continuing to raise awareness of this important sector of the industry.»

The Waldhotel was also named one of the Best Wellness Retreats for 2020 in the online resource Travel to Wellness, founded in 2004 by Wellness Tourism Association President, Anne Dimon.

Please visit https://buergenstock-waldhotel.ch/en for more information on the Waldhotel Health & Medical Excellence.

Bürgenstock Hotels & Resort Lake Lucerne The Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne is part of the Bürgenstock Selection headquartered in Zug, Switzerland.

The resort comprises a total inventory of 383 rooms spread across four hotels: the Bürgenstock Hotel & Alpine Spa (5* Superior), the Palace Hotel & Conferences (4* Superior), the Waldhotel Health & Medical Excellence (5*) with a Health & Medical Center and the Taverne 1879 (3*). In addition, the resort boasts 67 residence suites, ten restaurants and bars, a 10,000m2 (108,000 ft2) Alpine spa and a wide range of leisure activities. The Bürgenstock Selection portfolio includes the Bürgenstock Hotels & Resort Lake Lucerne, the Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & THE SPA (99 rooms) and the Royal Savoy Hotel & Spa Lausanne (196 rooms). The total investment volume of the Bürgenstock Selection is one billion Swiss francs.

The Bürgenstock Selection Headquartered in the city of Zug, The Bürgenstock Selection is Switzerland’s largest deluxe hotel group, owning and operating Hotels and Residences with a combined total of 678 rooms and 68 residence suites.

Following the complete renovation of the historic properties, the Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne, the Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & THE SPA, and the Royal Savoy Hotel & Spa Lausanne dazzle guests from all over the world with their elegant, contemporary design, best-in-class spas and culinary offerings, while remaining completely true to the timeless Swiss heritage of hospitality, service and discretion. Overall, one billion Swiss francs have been invested in renovating these landmark properties and elevating them to an unparalleled standard of modernity and luxury.

Contaact Jonas Reif Communications Manager BĂźrgenstock Hotels AG, 6363 ObbĂźrgen jonas.reif@buergenstock.ch T +41 41 612 60 98 / M +41 79 644 32 99