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We’re creatures of nature and the health of the earth is inextricably linked to our own wellbeing. As the final fight to save the planet begins in earnest, we have a some key roles to play
By Liz Terry | Published in Spa Business 2019 issue 2
Speak truth to power: Greta Thunberg faces the suits at the EU / Alexandros Michailidis/shutterstock
Powerful forces are converging which will determine the future of our species and our planet. As an industry close to people’s wellbeing, we’re feeling the impact of these changes, as cases of mental, physical and spiritual ‘unwellness’ increasingly present themselves.
As we inhale pollutants and absorb plastics from our food, we experience disruption at a cellular level. Couple this with the effects of too much tech – and the accompanying sleep disruption – and it’s clear that in eroding nature, we’re also damaging ourselves.
But positive change is in the air. Spring in the Northern Hemisphere has seen the outpouring of love and selflessness of the Extinction Rebellion and Schools 4 Climate Action movements. Thousands have protested across 100 countries to call on governments to declare a climate emergency.
Swedish activist, 16-year-old Greta Thunberg, has addressed the UN and the EU to raise awareness of climate breakdown and veteran environmentalist David Attenborough has produced Climate Change: The Facts, a hard-hitting documentary calling for immediate change.
Although these actions build on what has gone before, there’s a new urgency, now we know 200 species are becoming extinct every day and the UN has stated we only have 12 years to stop climate change and save the planet.
I see a direct correlation between the destruction of the natural world and the increase in health crises being reported. The earth is one delicately balanced system and we cannot separate ourselves from it and expect to thrive.
The industry must join the fight for the natural world, by making immediate, climate-positive changes, as well as supporting people to maintain both their optimism and purpose and their physical, mental and spiritual health in the face of these ever-increasing challenges.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Promotional feature: Lemi - Italian Touch
From humble beginnings in a small Italian village, Lemi has grown a hugely successful global business in the massage bed market. As it celebrates its 30th anniversary year, we talk to GM Matteo Brusaferri
Spa Programmes: On the menu
Olivia Newton-John skincare, Sounds of Africa and jet lag butlers feature in our programming series
Interview: Dale Hipsh
The senior VP of hotels at Hard Rock International tells Katie Barnes why its music-centric spa menu is striking the right chord with consumers and the media
Promotional feature: ISPA
After almost three decades serving members and contributing to the growth of the industry, we talk to ISPA’s Crystal Ducker about the work of the association and the future of spa
Spa Design: Jungle VIP
Kim Megson ventures deep into Mexico’s jungle to discover how two Chablé resorts with Mayan spas are aiming to redefine wellness
Interview: John & Karina Stewart
The inspirational couple behind Kamalaya in Thailand talk to Neena Dhillon about emotional therapies, why stress-busting is the new detox and how they’re evolving the concept
Promotional feature: Gharieni - Luxury Recognition
Gharieni has long been known as an industry innovator. Now, Forbes Travel Guide has named the company as its official Spa & Wellness Equipment Manufacturer. Sammy Gharieni tells us more
Promotional feature: Comfort Zone - Beauty Reloaded
Skincare brand Comfort Zone has partnered with Wellness for Cancer to create a new programme of spa treatments for people touched by cancer. Barbara Gavazzoli tells us more
Family spa: Multi-story
With the rise in multi-generational tourism, family spas are growing in popularity. Jane Kitchen reports
Software: Training & education
From bespoke training programmes to 24/7 support teams and company super-users, how are software suppliers helping spas get the most out of their systems?
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...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
bbspa_Group
The technical advice offered by bbspa is
delivered via four specialist departments which offer turn [more...]
Bellezi
Founded in 2009 as a Dutch family business, Bellezi brings more than 20 years of experience in treat [more...]
We’re creatures of nature and the health of the earth is inextricably linked to our own wellbeing. As the final fight to save the planet begins in earnest, we have a some key roles to play
By Liz Terry | Published in Spa Business 2019 issue 2
Speak truth to power: Greta Thunberg faces the suits at the EU / Alexandros Michailidis/shutterstock
Powerful forces are converging which will determine the future of our species and our planet. As an industry close to people’s wellbeing, we’re feeling the impact of these changes, as cases of mental, physical and spiritual ‘unwellness’ increasingly present themselves.
As we inhale pollutants and absorb plastics from our food, we experience disruption at a cellular level. Couple this with the effects of too much tech – and the accompanying sleep disruption – and it’s clear that in eroding nature, we’re also damaging ourselves.
But positive change is in the air. Spring in the Northern Hemisphere has seen the outpouring of love and selflessness of the Extinction Rebellion and Schools 4 Climate Action movements. Thousands have protested across 100 countries to call on governments to declare a climate emergency.
Swedish activist, 16-year-old Greta Thunberg, has addressed the UN and the EU to raise awareness of climate breakdown and veteran environmentalist David Attenborough has produced Climate Change: The Facts, a hard-hitting documentary calling for immediate change.
Although these actions build on what has gone before, there’s a new urgency, now we know 200 species are becoming extinct every day and the UN has stated we only have 12 years to stop climate change and save the planet.
I see a direct correlation between the destruction of the natural world and the increase in health crises being reported. The earth is one delicately balanced system and we cannot separate ourselves from it and expect to thrive.
The industry must join the fight for the natural world, by making immediate, climate-positive changes, as well as supporting people to maintain both their optimism and purpose and their physical, mental and spiritual health in the face of these ever-increasing challenges.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Promotional feature: Lemi - Italian Touch
From humble beginnings in a small Italian village, Lemi has grown a hugely successful global business in the massage bed market. As it celebrates its 30th anniversary year, we talk to GM Matteo Brusaferri
Spa Programmes: On the menu
Olivia Newton-John skincare, Sounds of Africa and jet lag butlers feature in our programming series
Interview: Dale Hipsh
The senior VP of hotels at Hard Rock International tells Katie Barnes why its music-centric spa menu is striking the right chord with consumers and the media
Promotional feature: ISPA
After almost three decades serving members and contributing to the growth of the industry, we talk to ISPA’s Crystal Ducker about the work of the association and the future of spa
Spa Design: Jungle VIP
Kim Megson ventures deep into Mexico’s jungle to discover how two Chablé resorts with Mayan spas are aiming to redefine wellness
Interview: John & Karina Stewart
The inspirational couple behind Kamalaya in Thailand talk to Neena Dhillon about emotional therapies, why stress-busting is the new detox and how they’re evolving the concept
Promotional feature: Gharieni - Luxury Recognition
Gharieni has long been known as an industry innovator. Now, Forbes Travel Guide has named the company as its official Spa & Wellness Equipment Manufacturer. Sammy Gharieni tells us more
Promotional feature: Comfort Zone - Beauty Reloaded
Skincare brand Comfort Zone has partnered with Wellness for Cancer to create a new programme of spa treatments for people touched by cancer. Barbara Gavazzoli tells us more
Family spa: Multi-story
With the rise in multi-generational tourism, family spas are growing in popularity. Jane Kitchen reports
Software: Training & education
From bespoke training programmes to 24/7 support teams and company super-users, how are software suppliers helping spas get the most out of their systems?
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.
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...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
bbspa_Group The technical advice offered by bbspa is
delivered via four specialist departments which offer turn [more...]
