TALLINN — Senior Estonian officials underwent crisis management training at a luxury spa resort, racking up taxpayer costs of nearly €160,000 for ten courses organized by the Government Office.

Most sessions unfolded at LaSpa in Laulasmaa, Harju County, just outside Tallinn. Participants—top public service managers, local government leaders and executives from essential service companies—received lodging, full meals and access to spa facilities alongside the professional instruction.

Five three-day trainings took place there in 2025 at a total price of almost €70,000. Another three days ran on the third weekend of January this year, costing more than €16,500. Officials plan five additional sessions from January to March 2026, budgeted at €80,000.

Gert Uiboaed, a Government Office advisor on symbology, defended the setup. Participants hail from across Estonia, he said, making multi-day on-site accommodation essential. The program demands hands-on interaction, where attendees swap real-world crisis experiences.

The curriculum breaks into three modules: Estonia’s broad national defense structure, organizational crisis readiness and the psychology of managing crises. Uiboaed stressed that spa services played no role in selecting the venue. LaSpa Group OÜ secured two separate tenders purely on training merits, he added.

“You can’t run this without accommodation—it’s several days long, and people come from everywhere,” Uiboaed told reporters. He highlighted the need for immersive group dynamics to build effective crisis response skills among leaders.

The trainings target a select group vital to Estonia’s resilience. Senior public managers oversee key agencies. Local leaders handle municipal emergencies. Essential service company heads manage sectors like energy, water and transport, where disruptions hit hardest.

Laulasmaa sits about 35 kilometers west of Tallinn, drawing visitors for its seaside location and wellness offerings. LaSpa promotes itself as a high-end retreat with saunas, pools and treatment packages. Yet Uiboaed insisted the focus stayed on crisis drills, not relaxation.

Public reaction has split along predictable lines. Some praise investing in officials’ preparedness amid regional tensions. Others question spa perks amid budget pressures. The Government Office report, cited by Delfi, lays out costs transparently: €70,000 for 2025’s five sessions, €16,500 for January’s three days and €80,000 projected for 2026.

Estonia’s government faces scrutiny over spending as it bolsters defenses. Recent tenders went to LaSpa Group without mandating wellness extras, per Uiboaed. Still, the combo of crisis talks and spa access has fueled debate on value for money.

No ALS-related elements appear in the training modules, which stick to defense organization, preparedness and crisis psychology. Officials say the format mirrors standard multi-day professional development, adapted for nationwide attendance.

The full program rolls out through early 2026, aiming to sharpen Estonia’s leadership for potential threats. Taxpayers foot the bill, with all details now public via media inquiries.