Kenneth Ryan, Marriott International
/ photo: Marriott International
What key industry innovations can you identify? Technology. Most notably, spa software systems, which are the heartbeat of operations. Around 10 years ago we started to see advancements in spa technology including the introduction of online booking. Initially, this was received with resistance but today it’s become mainstream. All Marriott spas offer it and see upwards of 40 per cent of their appointments made online. Many spas now also have mobile apps to engage with their members.
In addition, spas are now using data analytics to track guest demographics, spending habits, treatment preferences and feedback. This information helps them make informed decisions about everything from marketing and hyper-personalised experiences, to yield pricing.
In the future, AI will play a significant role – automating administrative tasks, advancing customer service and even delivering treatments autonomously. Spas must be prepared to adopt these innovations and be more open to change. At the same time, it’s our responsibility to safeguard the personalised, high-touch wellness experiences our customers expect.
What’s going to impact spas the most? Over the next two decades, kids and young adults will be the driving force behind the global growth of spa and wellness. Younger generations are known to be trendsetters and highly influential across multi-generations.
I’m encouraged by the increasing rise of wellness among our youth and engagement on multiple fronts, including schools. From starting the day with mindful moments, incorporating social and emotional learning alongside academics and promoting both physical and mental health, we see strong signals that wellness will be deeply embedded in our youth. Especially as it continues onto higher education with colleges investing in wellness facilities and services too.
In my 20 years in the industry, I’ve never seen such a high level of awareness, interest and demand for what we do. I believe this is only the beginning for us, as the next generation will demand wellness in all forms and spas will play a significant role.
What’s the most radical change you foresee? Preventive medicine is undeniably the future and spas will be critical in this transformative journey.
Already, medical breakthroughs are revolutionising preventative care and early detection of health issues, promising to enhance our quality of life and longevity.
What makes this shift even more remarkable is that many of these cutting-edge medical treatments are most effective when integrated with the wellness services spas offer.
As our services are increasingly recognised as legitimate and potent forms of preventive medicine, spas will swiftly transition from being perceived solely as a luxury amenity to an investment in one’s wellbeing.
With this in mind, our services are steadily gaining acceptance within the healthcare system, extending to medical insurance. This pivotal development not only fosters greater accessibility to spa treatments but also ignites a surge in demand, signifying an incredibly promising future.
"Spa Business plays a crucial role in the ongoing success of our sector.
"Over the past 20 years, it has covered every major event, serving as a historical archive of the industry.
"Sharing and collaboration help us all become the best we can and I’m proud to be a part of this spa and wellness family."
More from spa industry leaders...
In celebration of Spa Business’ 20th anniversary, industry leaders take a look at how far the sector has come since the magazine’s inception in 2003, share personal career highlights and reveal their plans and ideas for the future.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2023 issue 3
Editor's letter: Reflection point
As Spa Business celebrates its 20th birthday, Katie Barnes pauses for thought and rejoices in the industry’s evolution
Spa People: 20th anniversary issue: Anna Bjurstam
The strategic senior advisor at Six Senses and Raison d'Etre on being initiated as a shaman, why psychedelics are here to stay and her bigger fear for the global spa industry
Promotion: Klafs: Relax into wellbeing
Klafs and Studio F. A. Porsche have combined their design and wellness expertise to create an oasis for total-body relaxation
News report: Eastern promise
Japan’s spa industry is valued at US$4.2 billion and is part of the world's third highest-performing wellness economy
Jeremy McCarthy: Theory of evolution
From spa to wellness and now leisure – Spa Business’ contributing editor looks at where hospitality experiences are heading
Promotion: Lemi: Built to last
Lemi is committed to leading with innovation to create
cutting-edge treatment room solutions that excel
in terms of performance and eco-credentials
Promotion: G.M. COLLIN: Collagen pioneers
GM Collin’s expertise in collagen research and product formulation has resulted in the creation of a new serum that combats age-related skin degeneration
Promotion: Comfort Zone: A brighter future
Consumers are increasingly interested in reducing dark spots and hyperpigmentation and a new line from Comfort Zone has been launched to address this emerging need
Promotion: Art of Cryo: Life changing experience
Vikki and Robbie are often exhausted after work. A visit to the spa to experience
the Art of Cryo Tech-Spa Module is a chance to re-set and rejuvenate together
In a world where imbalance often accumulates quietly, Wildsmith unveils its newest
wellbeing innovation: Silent Loads, an approach designed to meet the needs of modern spa
guests with precision and depth. [more...]
Kenneth Ryan, Marriott International
/ photo: Marriott International
What key industry innovations can you identify? Technology. Most notably, spa software systems, which are the heartbeat of operations. Around 10 years ago we started to see advancements in spa technology including the introduction of online booking. Initially, this was received with resistance but today it’s become mainstream. All Marriott spas offer it and see upwards of 40 per cent of their appointments made online. Many spas now also have mobile apps to engage with their members.
In addition, spas are now using data analytics to track guest demographics, spending habits, treatment preferences and feedback. This information helps them make informed decisions about everything from marketing and hyper-personalised experiences, to yield pricing.
In the future, AI will play a significant role – automating administrative tasks, advancing customer service and even delivering treatments autonomously. Spas must be prepared to adopt these innovations and be more open to change. At the same time, it’s our responsibility to safeguard the personalised, high-touch wellness experiences our customers expect.
What’s going to impact spas the most? Over the next two decades, kids and young adults will be the driving force behind the global growth of spa and wellness. Younger generations are known to be trendsetters and highly influential across multi-generations.
I’m encouraged by the increasing rise of wellness among our youth and engagement on multiple fronts, including schools. From starting the day with mindful moments, incorporating social and emotional learning alongside academics and promoting both physical and mental health, we see strong signals that wellness will be deeply embedded in our youth. Especially as it continues onto higher education with colleges investing in wellness facilities and services too.
In my 20 years in the industry, I’ve never seen such a high level of awareness, interest and demand for what we do. I believe this is only the beginning for us, as the next generation will demand wellness in all forms and spas will play a significant role.
What’s the most radical change you foresee? Preventive medicine is undeniably the future and spas will be critical in this transformative journey.
Already, medical breakthroughs are revolutionising preventative care and early detection of health issues, promising to enhance our quality of life and longevity.
What makes this shift even more remarkable is that many of these cutting-edge medical treatments are most effective when integrated with the wellness services spas offer.
As our services are increasingly recognised as legitimate and potent forms of preventive medicine, spas will swiftly transition from being perceived solely as a luxury amenity to an investment in one’s wellbeing.
With this in mind, our services are steadily gaining acceptance within the healthcare system, extending to medical insurance. This pivotal development not only fosters greater accessibility to spa treatments but also ignites a surge in demand, signifying an incredibly promising future.
"Spa Business plays a crucial role in the ongoing success of our sector.
"Over the past 20 years, it has covered every major event, serving as a historical archive of the industry.
"Sharing and collaboration help us all become the best we can and I’m proud to be a part of this spa and wellness family."
More from spa industry leaders...
In celebration of Spa Business’ 20th anniversary, industry leaders take a look at how far the sector has come since the magazine’s inception in 2003, share personal career highlights and reveal their plans and ideas for the future.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2023 issue 3
Editor's letter: Reflection point
As Spa Business celebrates its 20th birthday, Katie Barnes pauses for thought and rejoices in the industry’s evolution
Spa People: 20th anniversary issue: Anna Bjurstam
The strategic senior advisor at Six Senses and Raison d'Etre on being initiated as a shaman, why psychedelics are here to stay and her bigger fear for the global spa industry
Promotion: Klafs: Relax into wellbeing
Klafs and Studio F. A. Porsche have combined their design and wellness expertise to create an oasis for total-body relaxation
News report: Eastern promise
Japan’s spa industry is valued at US$4.2 billion and is part of the world's third highest-performing wellness economy
Jeremy McCarthy: Theory of evolution
From spa to wellness and now leisure – Spa Business’ contributing editor looks at where hospitality experiences are heading
Promotion: Lemi: Built to last
Lemi is committed to leading with innovation to create
cutting-edge treatment room solutions that excel
in terms of performance and eco-credentials
Promotion: G.M. COLLIN: Collagen pioneers
GM Collin’s expertise in collagen research and product formulation has resulted in the creation of a new serum that combats age-related skin degeneration
Promotion: Comfort Zone: A brighter future
Consumers are increasingly interested in reducing dark spots and hyperpigmentation and a new line from Comfort Zone has been launched to address this emerging need
Promotion: Art of Cryo: Life changing experience
Vikki and Robbie are often exhausted after work. A visit to the spa to experience
the Art of Cryo Tech-Spa Module is a chance to re-set and rejuvenate together
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai in Hoi An, Vietnam, has put together a Global Wellness Day
(GWD) agenda with activations rooted in nature and shaped by four pillars of Joy – in
alignment with the day’s theme #JoyMagenta.
The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) will celebrate its 20th anniversary at the 2026 event in
Phuket, Thailand, later this year with the theme: The Science, Art and Soul of Wellness.
Auko, an all-inclusive development, is opening in Phong Nha in Vietnam in Q3 2026, with a
series of 30 tented eco-lodges and wellness hospitality operations by Lumina Wellbeing.
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions
that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once
complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK.
Naples Beach Club, a Four Seasons Resort, has opened a 2,800sq m spa called The Sanctuary,
with the design and concept inspired by the Native American people that populated Florida’s
Southwest coast – the Calusa.
Swire Hotels’ luxury hospitality brand Upper House has revealed it will roll out its two-day
House of Healing retreats at its three hotels in Hong Kong, Chengdu and Shanghai.
LVMH-owned beauty house Guerlain will launch up to five spas with partners a year as part of
its plan to expand globally, according to the brand’s international spa and wellness director,
Diane Davody.
A new global study by Kevin Kelly and Peter Yesawich, called WELLSurvey 2.0, has revealed
more than half of consumers in the UK, US and Germany would not choose numerous high-
profile wellness resort brands for a future trip.
Luxury hospitality and wellness pioneer Jeremy McCarthy has launched Leisure Alchemy, a
digital platform that will provide professionals with strategic guidance on how to build
transformational leisure experiences that drive profit.
In a world where imbalance often accumulates quietly, Wildsmith unveils its newest
wellbeing innovation: Silent Loads, an approach designed to meet the needs of modern spa
guests with precision and depth. [more...]
