Spa and wellness developer, Therme Group, has announced a strategic partnership with thermal leisure operator Wund Holding to accelerate business growth.

Therme Group creates water-based wellbeing resorts, while Wund Holdings specialises in operating thermal leisure parks.

Therme group has been responsible for Thermen Badewelt Sinsheim, Badeparadies Schwarzwald Titisee and Thermen and Badewelt Euskirchen and has four further thermal leisure destinations under development or awaiting planning. This includes plans for a proposed 28-acre wellbeing project Therme Manchester in the UK, a £175m (US$228.7m, €205.7m) waterpark and spa.

The new partnership will underpin these future developments, and see the two companies collaborate to deliver high standards in customer experience and sustainability.

The agreement will marry the best of both organisations to drive and support future growth, and has been kicked off with the consolidation of both company’s architectural and technical capabilities in a newly formed business, Therme ARC.

The companies have an existing relationship stemming from previous close collaboration between the late Josef Wund, founder of Wund Holding, and Dr Robert Hanea, CEO and founder of Therme Group, on projects such as Therme Group’s flagship site in Bucharest.

Hanea commented: “This partnership is a natural step for both companies and will consolidate our future position as a global wellbeing leader.

“Josef Wund was the father of the modern thermal world and this ongoing partnership will enable us to continue to create the world’s most advanced family-friendly wellbeing resorts for customers worldwide.”

Edelfried Balle, Wund Holding MD, commented: "Therme Group is the ideal partner for us. Its global footprint will open up many opportunities to make the best possible use of our unique capabilities in the design, planning, construction and operation of large-scale thermal resorts."

Following the announcement, Balle has taken up the position of MD of Therme ARC.