Spa trends, innovations and concepts, investments in biohacking and science all underpinned topics at the Spa & Wellness International Congress in Azerbaijan. Lisa Starr shares her takeaways
By Lisa Starr | Published in Spa Business 2020 issue 1
Spa & Wellness International Congress in Azerbaijan / Ana Flasker/SHUTTERSTOCK
In December, 260 spa professionals from 15 countries gathered in Baku, Azerbaijan, for the sixth annual Spa & Wellness International Congress, oriented to businesses in the Russian-speaking regions of the world. Organiser Elena Bogacheva, president of Russia’s Spa & Wellness International Council (SWIC), and CEO of consulting firm Spa Priori, put together an insightful four-day event.
Opening day, panels covered wide-ranging topics such as current spa concepts, wellness marketing and KPIs. Dr Tamaz Mchedlidze, creator of the Bioli Medical Wellness Resort in Georgia, shared the vision behind the resort’s successful mix of stress management, exercise, and functional nutrition. Later on, the resort received SWIC’s 2019 Perfect Spa Award (see opposite), along with Gazelli Art House, a gorgeous multi-faceted business in downtown Baku which hosted delegates for an evening.
On subsequent days, the congress was divided into sections such as Hotel & Resort Spa Segment Trends and Day Spa Best Practices, enabling deeper dives into content specific to these markets. There were numerous insightful presentations on subjects such as investments in biohacking, wellness architecture, and budgeting & cash flow management.
Meanwhile, in evening discussions, many delegates voiced their concerns about black market spas, especially in Moscow. These non-licensed facilities offer cheaper services and are tempting staff from legitimate spas with unrealistic compensation schemes. In other news, however, it was noted that younger clients are drawn to more sustainable businesses and practices.
In a Scientific Conference on the fourth day, professors and doctors gave expert presentations on Age in the 21st Century; Innovative Laboratory Diagnostics; and hormones, beauty and ageing.
The congress concluded with a gala dinner, with copious amounts of food, wine and a fun atmosphere emceed by Russian talk show host Alexander Gerasimov. The delegation now look forward to meeting again in Minsk, Belarus, on 15-18 September 2020.
2019 Perfect Spa Award winners:
Day Spa:
Riviera Day Spa (Minsk, Belarus)
Medical Spa:
Gazelli House Wellness Center (Baku, Azerbaijan)
Wellness Resort:
Bioli Medical Wellness Resort (Tbilisi, Georgia)
Hotel Spa:
Carelica
Eco Spa at Hilton
(St Petersburg, Russia)
Resort Spa:
Riviera Sunrise Resort Spa Hotel (Alushta, Russia)
Spa Hotel: ReLife Wellness Center in Green Flow Hotel (Sochi, Russia)
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2020 issue 1
Editor's letter: Time to shine
As spas reach peak revenues, now’s the time for our industry to act as a catalyst in working out how we measure the impact of an experience and the ‘return on wellness’ says Spa Business' editor Katie Barnes
Promotional feature: TechnoAlpin
If you want to deliver a hot and cold experience as part of your wellness programme, adding a snowroom will introduce a delightful and more gentle form of cold therapy, as Sara Brenninger explains
Trends: Spa Foresight™
Climate emergency, gen alpha and brain optimisation are among Spa Business’ latest trend predictions
Promotional feature: The Wellness
Investing in children’s facilities gives a spa and wellness offering a competitive edge, as well as helping the next generation achieve their potential, explains Mohammed Ibrahim, CEO of industry design and consultancy practice, The Wellness
Promotional feature: RKF Luxury Linen
As a symbol of luxury, innovation and quality in the world of spa and hospitality, much of RKF Luxury Linen’s success comes from its highly client-centric design process, says CEO Riadh Bouaziz
Design: Heat of the moment
From giant golden eggs and converted ski lifts to rustic, hand-crafted huts, we showcase the latest in heat experience design and innovations
In today’s premium spa environment, every detail shapes the guest experience – right down to
the softness of towels and the freshness of linens. [more...]
The Spa Life UK Convention returns from 21–23 June 2026 at Whittlebury Park Hotel, Spa &
Golf Resort, bringing together spa managers, directors and owners for two days of focused
education, meaningful connection and commercial insight. [more...]
Spa trends, innovations and concepts, investments in biohacking and science all underpinned topics at the Spa & Wellness International Congress in Azerbaijan. Lisa Starr shares her takeaways
By Lisa Starr | Published in Spa Business 2020 issue 1
Spa & Wellness International Congress in Azerbaijan / Ana Flasker/SHUTTERSTOCK
In December, 260 spa professionals from 15 countries gathered in Baku, Azerbaijan, for the sixth annual Spa & Wellness International Congress, oriented to businesses in the Russian-speaking regions of the world. Organiser Elena Bogacheva, president of Russia’s Spa & Wellness International Council (SWIC), and CEO of consulting firm Spa Priori, put together an insightful four-day event.
Opening day, panels covered wide-ranging topics such as current spa concepts, wellness marketing and KPIs. Dr Tamaz Mchedlidze, creator of the Bioli Medical Wellness Resort in Georgia, shared the vision behind the resort’s successful mix of stress management, exercise, and functional nutrition. Later on, the resort received SWIC’s 2019 Perfect Spa Award (see opposite), along with Gazelli Art House, a gorgeous multi-faceted business in downtown Baku which hosted delegates for an evening.
On subsequent days, the congress was divided into sections such as Hotel & Resort Spa Segment Trends and Day Spa Best Practices, enabling deeper dives into content specific to these markets. There were numerous insightful presentations on subjects such as investments in biohacking, wellness architecture, and budgeting & cash flow management.
Meanwhile, in evening discussions, many delegates voiced their concerns about black market spas, especially in Moscow. These non-licensed facilities offer cheaper services and are tempting staff from legitimate spas with unrealistic compensation schemes. In other news, however, it was noted that younger clients are drawn to more sustainable businesses and practices.
In a Scientific Conference on the fourth day, professors and doctors gave expert presentations on Age in the 21st Century; Innovative Laboratory Diagnostics; and hormones, beauty and ageing.
The congress concluded with a gala dinner, with copious amounts of food, wine and a fun atmosphere emceed by Russian talk show host Alexander Gerasimov. The delegation now look forward to meeting again in Minsk, Belarus, on 15-18 September 2020.
2019 Perfect Spa Award winners:
Day Spa:
Riviera Day Spa (Minsk, Belarus)
Medical Spa:
Gazelli House Wellness Center (Baku, Azerbaijan)
Wellness Resort:
Bioli Medical Wellness Resort (Tbilisi, Georgia)
Hotel Spa:
Carelica
Eco Spa at Hilton
(St Petersburg, Russia)
Resort Spa:
Riviera Sunrise Resort Spa Hotel (Alushta, Russia)
Spa Hotel: ReLife Wellness Center in Green Flow Hotel (Sochi, Russia)
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2020 issue 1
Editor's letter: Time to shine
As spas reach peak revenues, now’s the time for our industry to act as a catalyst in working out how we measure the impact of an experience and the ‘return on wellness’ says Spa Business' editor Katie Barnes
Promotional feature: TechnoAlpin
If you want to deliver a hot and cold experience as part of your wellness programme, adding a snowroom will introduce a delightful and more gentle form of cold therapy, as Sara Brenninger explains
Trends: Spa Foresight™
Climate emergency, gen alpha and brain optimisation are among Spa Business’ latest trend predictions
Promotional feature: The Wellness
Investing in children’s facilities gives a spa and wellness offering a competitive edge, as well as helping the next generation achieve their potential, explains Mohammed Ibrahim, CEO of industry design and consultancy practice, The Wellness
Promotional feature: RKF Luxury Linen
As a symbol of luxury, innovation and quality in the world of spa and hospitality, much of RKF Luxury Linen’s success comes from its highly client-centric design process, says CEO Riadh Bouaziz
Design: Heat of the moment
From giant golden eggs and converted ski lifts to rustic, hand-crafted huts, we showcase the latest in heat experience design and innovations
A recent survey by the UK Spa Association (UKSA) into the industry’s approach to cancer care
has revealed that almost half of participating respondents (46 per cent) are unaware that
cancer is a disability and guests with a cancer diagnosis must be given
Mexican operator, Solmar Hotels and Resorts, is hosting a series of events in celebration of
Global Wellness Day, including a Temazcal ceremony at its Playa Grande Resort and Spa in Los
Cabos.
Mandarin Oriental has announced a standalone residence brand, Mansions, which will debut at
Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Mansions, Abu Dhabi, in 2029.
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.
In today’s premium spa environment, every detail shapes the guest experience – right down to
the softness of towels and the freshness of linens. [more...]
The Spa Life UK Convention returns from 21–23 June 2026 at Whittlebury Park Hotel, Spa &
Golf Resort, bringing together spa managers, directors and owners for two days of focused
education, meaningful connection and commercial insight. [more...]
