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 the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to
our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
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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
Synergy – The Retreat Show, the global trade show for retreats, has launched a global research
initiative that will provide insights into the retreat sector from both consumer and industry
perspectives.
The Wellness Tourism Association (WTA) has published a non-regulatory global industry
framework designed to ensure the retreat market offers responsible experiences.
A new survey of UK and international spa practitioners shows that stress, burnout and
wellbeing concerns have caused one in three respondents to consider leaving the industry.
The UK's four Chief Medical Officers have published a refreshed edition of Physical activity
guidelines: UK Chief Medical Officers' report, updating the evidence that underpins the nation's
physical activity recommendations and placing greater emphasis on strength, balance, reducing
sedentary behaviour and, for the first time, supporting people taking weight loss medications.
Anna Bjurstam has left her role as Wellness Pioneer at Six Senses Hotels and Resorts and
launched a new wellness, longevity and “consciousness consultancy” called Wahayla.
Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere, has opened today (10 July) in the Northwest of England
with a
1,715sq m Fairmont Spa that has been designed using a ‘Wellness without Walls’
concept.
Wellness hotels generating less than US$1 million (€932,700, £785,200) – or 10 per cent of
total revenue from wellness and leisure – recorded the strongest RevPAR and TRevPAR growth
in 2025 across categories when compared with 2024, according to the latest Wellness Real
Estate Report by RLA Global, produced in partnership with P and L benchmarking firm HotStats.
Lefay Resorts, the portfolio of two luxury wellness properties in Italy, has added emotional
dance classes and group cold plunge sessions in response to market demand for social
connection.
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to
our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
bbspa_Group The technical advice offered by bbspa is
delivered via four specialist departments which offer turn [more...]
