Lošinj is once again in the public spotlight these days due to the first edition of the MEDISOLA festival – a month of health and vitality that began on October 2, 2025, at the Hotel Bellevue in Mali Lošinj and lasts until October 26. The central idea of the festival is that the island itself is a kind of natural health laboratory: a place where the centuries-old tradition of a climatic health resort meets modern medicine, physiotherapy, wellness, and sustainable tourism. Over four themed weekends, visitors, experts, and the local community exchange knowledge, experiences, and tools that demonstrably contribute to vitality, quality of life, and a responsible stay in the natural environment.
Anniversary year and a grand opening with a message of unity
MEDISOLA is symbolically held in the year Lošinj celebrates 140 years of organized tourism. The grand opening at the Hotel Bellevue in Mali Lošinj began with welcome speeches by Lucija Jukić, Executive Director of Sales & Marketing for Lošinj Hotels & Villas, and the Mayor of the Town of Mali Lošinj, Ana Kučić. The introductory presentations – "Lošinj 140 – a story that continues: from a climatic health resort to the first green destination in the Mediterranean" and "MEDISOLA – Festival of Health and Vitality" – were given by the Director of the Mali Lošinj Tourist Board, Dalibor Cvitković, and Lara Soldičić Vodarić, Director of Sales for the leisure and corporate segment at Lošinj Hotels & Villas. A message of continuity was emphasized: from a historical climatic health resort, through modern health tourism, to a green transition that raises the standard of living for residents and the experience for guests by preserving nature.
Why Lošinj – a natural health laboratory with measurable effects
Ever since the late 19th century, Lošinj has been recognized as a climatic health resort. The mild Mediterranean climate, clean air rich in sea aerosols, an abundance of aromatic herbs, park-forests, and extensive promenades create an environment that benefits the respiratory system, general fitness, and psycho-physical recovery. Today's health and wellbeing tourism programs on the island – from climatotherapy and thalassotherapy to respiratory physiotherapy and personalized preventive check-ups – build upon this heritage with measurements and outcome tracking. In practice, this means precisely defined goals (e.g., improving spirometry parameters, better control of asthma symptoms, or reducing the frequency of infections), a structured plan of activities, and interdisciplinary collaboration among medical and tourism stakeholders.
Panel 1 — The healing power of Lošinj through experience and science
The first panel brought together experts in pediatric pulmonology, allergology, internal medicine, and physiotherapy to discuss the evidence and practice of treatment on the island. Prof. Srđan Banac, MD, PhD, a subspecialist in pediatric pulmonology, allergology, and clinical immunology from the Clinic for Pediatrics at KBC Rijeka and the Department of Pediatrics at the Faculty of Medicine in Rijeka, recalled the historical and contemporary scientific foundations of thalassotherapy on Lošinj. He emphasized that sea aerosols are a proven relevant factor for respiratory health and that personalized treatment plans, especially for asthma, yield better results than generic protocols. "Every patient is different and deserves such an approach" – is a message that summarizes the direction of modern, person-centered medicine.
Physiotherapist Ana Banić, PhD, mag. physioth., author and educator of the Abanic Physio Concept, presented a holistic approach that includes the Bowen technique – a gentle yet powerful manual therapy of precise, mild movements aimed at stimulating the body's natural self-healing mechanisms. In combination with pulmonary rehabilitation and a stay in an environment rich in sea aerosols, such an approach can contribute to symptom reduction and faster recovery, where "we do not treat the symptom, but the person who has it."
Anamarija Margan Šulc, MSc, a specialist in internal medicine at the Marine Medical Centre, reminded us how medicine is shifting from mere symptom suppression towards personalized and participatory practice. On Lošinj, this means inter-sectoral collaboration: pulmonologists, internists, physiotherapists, nutritionists, and other experts create unique care plans in which patients are active participants. Such an approach, along with the preservation of the island's natural resources, is the foundation of sustainable health tourism.
Dr. Ivana Jukić Soldičić, a pulmonologist at the Veli Lošinj Health Resort, also spoke about concrete outcomes. Comparable protocols in children and adults show that even a short stay on Lošinj can result in a measurable improvement in lung function, which is recorded in spirometry parameters. She pointed out that by expanding the availability of climatic treatment through health insurance models – especially for younger patients – even better outcomes and more long-term self-care habits can be achieved.
Panel 2 — Lošinj as a space for a new tourism paradigm
The second panel focused on the development of sustainable, year-round health and wellbeing tourism. Assoc. Prof. Vladimir Mozetič, MD, MHA, a urologist and uro-oncologist and a representative of the Kvarner Health Tourism Cluster, emphasized the importance of networking the health, tourism, and scientific sectors, as well as diversifying the offer: from thalassotherapy and wellness to aesthetic and spiritual programs. He reminded us that today, about half of tourism service users are under 50, and this generation seeks active, meaningfully designed content with visible benefits.
Lucija Jukić, Executive Director of Sales & Marketing at Lošinj Hotels & Villas, stressed that MEDISOLA is a key step in the mission to connect the island's natural benefits with modern trends in the medical and wellbeing industries. It is a long-term investment in the quality of life for guests and residents, as well as a strategic positioning of Lošinj as a top, year-round destination for vitality and longevity.
The Director of the Mali Lošinj Tourist Board, Dalibor Cvitković, emphasized the importance of events that "give visibility to the product" and said that the island already has realistic prerequisites for year-round tourism. His assessment is that in winter, Lošinj can easily accommodate about two thousand guests with only 10% of its capacity open, provided that realistic action plans are adopted and actions are coordinated towards the markets. The MEDISOLA festival is recognized as precisely such a driving force.
The director of the Veli Lošinj Health Resort, Renata Žugić, mag. pharm., announced an expansion of capacity and investments in infrastructure: the opening of an Interpretation Centre for Natural Healing Factors in 2026, the renovation of facilities, the introduction of telemedicine, and the expansion of specialist services. This brings healthcare closer to residents and guests, and health tourism becomes a driver of system modernization.
The MEDISOLA program: a blend of science, practice, and the experience of being there
The program is spread over four themed weekends during October, with numerous open and closed events. Visitors can expect educational lectures by doctors and therapists, proper breathing workshops, school programs for young people, organized walks and "forest bathing," treatments using local plant essences, "longevity rituals," body composition analysis, and nutritional counseling. Part of the program is intended for the local community, and students attending the "School and Community" course in Mali Lošinj are also participating, giving the festival a strong component of civic education and cooperation between schools and institutions.
MEDISOLA brings together doctors, scientists, therapists, tourism experts, and citizens of the island. The moderator of the introductory conference part is Doris Pinčić Guberović, and the central locations are the Hotel Bellevue and partner institutions on the island. For an up-to-date schedule and registration, it is recommended to check the officially published program document, which lists the times, halls, outdoor locations, and contacts. The detailed program is available at the link: MEDISOLA program.
Climatotherapy and thalassotherapy on Lošinj — scientifically and clinically based practices
The medical logic behind the "Lošinj effect" stems from the synergy of natural factors. Sea aerosols with salt microcrystals moisturize the mucous membranes and facilitate the clearing of the airways. Park-forests and plant essences alleviate stress and promote relaxation, which is important for controlling the symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Sun radiation within safe limits contributes to the synthesis of vitamin D, and structured movement improves aerobic capacity and the tone of respiratory muscles. On Lošinj, these factors are not observed in isolation but as a whole that, with expert supervision, yields measurable results.
The Health Resort in Veli Lošinj builds on the tradition of sanatoriums from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but operates according to modern guidelines and in partnership with clinical institutions on the mainland. For children with asthma and allergies, as well as for adults with chronic respiratory and dermatological conditions, a stay in the island's microenvironment is often a "reset" that facilitates a return to daily life. The availability of therapeutic stays is also expanding through state insurance models for certain indications, while private packages include accommodation, medical consultations, and structured outdoor activities by the sea.
How to plan a stay for respiratory problems
People coming for respiratory problems are recommended to request a consultation with a pulmonologist or a family medicine doctor already during the planning stage. Upon arrival, it is useful to have an initial assessment and agree on a rhythm of activities: gentle morning walks along the coast, exercises focused on breathing and chest mobility, breaks in the shade of pine trees, and regular fluid intake. Accommodation facilities in Mali Lošinj and Veli Lošinj are increasingly offering amenities tailored to people with respiratory problems – from airy rooms and proximity to promenades to the possibility of arranging consultations and therapeutic exercises.
Nutritional recommendations lean towards a simple Mediterranean diet with an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients: oily fish, vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, and mild herbs. In addition, people with allergies are advised to follow the pollen calendar and seek advice on adjusting their therapy before traveling to make their stay as pleasant as possible.
Where to stay and how to get around the island
As the festival's hub, the Hotel Bellevue offers medical consultations, spa, and wellbeing programs just a few steps from the sea and the pine forest. But the accommodation offer is diverse across the entire island: from luxury hotels to family accommodation. For checking inquiries and reservations in Mali Lošinj and Veli Lošinj, it pays to plan ahead, especially for the festival's themed weekends when interest is highest.
Lošinj is reached via Cres, by ferry lines from the direction of Istria and Kvarner. On the island, it is most beautiful to move around on foot or by bicycle, and public transport and taxi boats are available for more distant points. The promenades are marked, the inclines are gentle, and the paths are adapted to different fitness levels. In the colder period of the year, layered clothing, a windbreaker, and comfortable footwear are recommended, and in winter, the destination prepares additional programs – themed walks, public lectures, and preventive check-ups – to make the stay meaningful even outside the peak season.
The economy of health and community well-being
Health and wellbeing tourism create added value for the local community. Investing in infrastructure – from interpretation centers and promenades to diagnostic equipment and telemedicine – raises the quality of life for residents, not just the standard of service for guests. Cooperation between schools, health institutions, the tourism sector, and civil society strengthens the destination's resilience and ensures that benefits are evenly distributed. The announced Interpretation Centre for Natural Healing Factors and the planned renovation of facilities in Veli Lošinj follow MEDISOLA's vision that natural heritage should be interpreted and used responsibly – for the benefit of both visitors and hosts.
Practical information and useful resources
- Festival duration: October 2–26, 2025; the central locations are the Hotel Bellevue in Mali Lošinj and partner institutions on the island.
- Types of content: expert lectures and panels, individual consultations and check-ups, breathing and movement workshops, wellness and aesthetic treatments, longevity rituals, outdoor activities, public education, and school programs.
- Official program: a detailed and updated schedule is available in the MEDISOLA program.
- Accommodation: organize your stay in Mali Lošinj and Veli Lošinj with an early booking for themed weekends.
- For people with respiratory problems: bring your medical documentation and therapy plan, arrange a check-up upon arrival, adjust your activity to the weather conditions and expert recommendations.
Lošinj as inspiration: science, tradition, and a responsible future
The anniversary year symbolically connects the island's past and future. From the first sanatoriums and botanical research to modern hotels, health resorts, and diagnostic technologies, Lošinj is an example of how natural and cultural heritage can be used responsibly for people's health and community development. The MEDISOLA festival makes this process visible and accessible: it offers knowledge, the experience of being there, and the opportunity to create healthier habits that remain even after returning home. If you are planning a visit during October or later, empower your plan with basic elements: book a consultation with an expert, choose accommodation in Mali Lošinj or Veli Lošinj near the promenades, schedule your day so that you spend mornings and afternoons by the sea, and in the warmest part of the day, choose the shade of pine trees and gentle breathing exercises.