If spas are to keep flourishing, embracing younger generations and families will be key. The sector has an exciting opportunity to position itself as an educator in wellness to develop relationships with children as they grow
It’s crucial wellness knowledge is built into education / photo: shutterstock/Drazen Zigic
With the Spa Business team just back from this year’s Global Wellness Summit (GWS), we have much to reflect on – and share our highlights on p88.
Fresh numbers revealed at the summit show the global wellness economy has grown to US$5.6 trillion, with the spa sector and thermal/mineral springs segments being worth US$104.5 billion and US$46.3 billion of that respectively (see p22).
The majority of the other sectors which make up the global wellness economy – from wellness tourism to public health, prevention and personalised medicine – are all part of the spa ecosystem and with projections of a 52 per cent increase in the wellness economy by 2027, it means we’re sitting within some huge and fast-growing markets.
To keep on this upward trajectory, spas need to branch out from their traditional gen X and baby boomer markets and at the GWS, there was a strong focus on capturing a younger clientele.
A conference panel talked about a huge market of younger people who are engaged with exercise, physical activity and sport and will eventually supersede the current generation of spa-goers, presenting operators with new audiences and opportunities to pivot their model to active wellness.
Krip Rojanastien, CEO and chair of Chiva-Som spoke about the importance of embracing families, highlighting efforts at sister property Zulal Wellness in Qatar. On p66, Niamh O’Connell reveals how families will be a key focus for Jumeirah moving forward as well. Catering to multiple generations is a trend we’ve identified in our Spa Foresight report, with family-friendly facilities or family wellness programmes coming to market more frequently (see www.spabusiness.com/foresight2023).
“It’s crucial that wellness knowledge and understanding be built into early education so it lasts a lifetime,” Rojanastien said. Spa consultant Amy McDonald echoed these thoughts, saying: “If resorts or day spas can reach out and bring something as simple as mindfulness to teens to teach them about gratitude, that could be transformational, as these are powerful tools.”
The spa and wellness sector has a real chance to make a difference to the wellbeing of children – whether that’s by adapting offerings so they’re more family-friendly or sharing valuable expertise. Either way, it can provide much-needed services, while also engaging with the customers of the future.
photo: Jack Emmerson
Katie Barnes is the editor of Spa Business magazine
| [email protected]
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Sponsored: Highest French distinction for RKF's CEO
After receiving the highest civilian award for services to the French nation, Riadh Bouaziz, CEO of RKF Luxury Linen, reflects on his company’s many achievements and considers what lies ahead
Association focus: Thermal Heritage
Jane Kitchen finds out how two key associations – the European Historic Thermal Towns Association and the Great Spa Towns of Europe – are protecting and promoting the unique cultural relevances of Europe’s spa towns
Interview: Paul Simons
As he retires from the Great Spa Towns of Europe, the industry leader reflects on his long and esteemed career
Sponsored: New ways with water
Working globally with architects and interior designers allows Myrtha Wellness to embrace the latest trends in the international hospitality sector, as director Stefano Cattaneo explains
Sponsored: Cutting edge
Ara Patterson from Equinox Hotels talks about a partnership with
Gharieni that’s delivering ROI and innovative treatments for guests
Interview: Niamh O'Connell
What does Jumeirah’s first vice president of wellbeing have planned for the Middle East-based hospitality group?
Sponsored: Lasse Eriksen on contrast therapy
Contrast therapy is gaining attention for its healing effects. We ask aufguss and sauna expert Lasse Eriksen to share his views on the perfect experience
Nature spas: Tree of life
Lisa Starr discovers two retreats in Austria and Italy which base their wellbeing concepts on forests
Sponsored: Spirit of Excellence
Rupert Schmid and Pierre-Louis Delapalme, owners of Biologique Recherche, discuss the global rollout of its ‘Ambassade’ flagship spas
Sponsored: Outstanding performance
Bicester Hotel & Spa is working with Matrix Fitness to enable wellness guests to train like athletes with a unique offering
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...]
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...]
If spas are to keep flourishing, embracing younger generations and families will be key. The sector has an exciting opportunity to position itself as an educator in wellness to develop relationships with children as they grow
It’s crucial wellness knowledge is built into education / photo: shutterstock/Drazen Zigic
With the Spa Business team just back from this year’s Global Wellness Summit (GWS), we have much to reflect on – and share our highlights on p88.
Fresh numbers revealed at the summit show the global wellness economy has grown to US$5.6 trillion, with the spa sector and thermal/mineral springs segments being worth US$104.5 billion and US$46.3 billion of that respectively (see p22).
The majority of the other sectors which make up the global wellness economy – from wellness tourism to public health, prevention and personalised medicine – are all part of the spa ecosystem and with projections of a 52 per cent increase in the wellness economy by 2027, it means we’re sitting within some huge and fast-growing markets.
To keep on this upward trajectory, spas need to branch out from their traditional gen X and baby boomer markets and at the GWS, there was a strong focus on capturing a younger clientele.
A conference panel talked about a huge market of younger people who are engaged with exercise, physical activity and sport and will eventually supersede the current generation of spa-goers, presenting operators with new audiences and opportunities to pivot their model to active wellness.
Krip Rojanastien, CEO and chair of Chiva-Som spoke about the importance of embracing families, highlighting efforts at sister property Zulal Wellness in Qatar. On p66, Niamh O’Connell reveals how families will be a key focus for Jumeirah moving forward as well. Catering to multiple generations is a trend we’ve identified in our Spa Foresight report, with family-friendly facilities or family wellness programmes coming to market more frequently (see www.spabusiness.com/foresight2023).
“It’s crucial that wellness knowledge and understanding be built into early education so it lasts a lifetime,” Rojanastien said. Spa consultant Amy McDonald echoed these thoughts, saying: “If resorts or day spas can reach out and bring something as simple as mindfulness to teens to teach them about gratitude, that could be transformational, as these are powerful tools.”
The spa and wellness sector has a real chance to make a difference to the wellbeing of children – whether that’s by adapting offerings so they’re more family-friendly or sharing valuable expertise. Either way, it can provide much-needed services, while also engaging with the customers of the future.
photo: Jack Emmerson
Katie Barnes is the editor of Spa Business magazine
| [email protected]
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Sponsored: Highest French distinction for RKF's CEO
After receiving the highest civilian award for services to the French nation, Riadh Bouaziz, CEO of RKF Luxury Linen, reflects on his company’s many achievements and considers what lies ahead
Association focus: Thermal Heritage
Jane Kitchen finds out how two key associations – the European Historic Thermal Towns Association and the Great Spa Towns of Europe – are protecting and promoting the unique cultural relevances of Europe’s spa towns
Interview: Paul Simons
As he retires from the Great Spa Towns of Europe, the industry leader reflects on his long and esteemed career
Sponsored: New ways with water
Working globally with architects and interior designers allows Myrtha Wellness to embrace the latest trends in the international hospitality sector, as director Stefano Cattaneo explains
Sponsored: Cutting edge
Ara Patterson from Equinox Hotels talks about a partnership with
Gharieni that’s delivering ROI and innovative treatments for guests
Interview: Niamh O'Connell
What does Jumeirah’s first vice president of wellbeing have planned for the Middle East-based hospitality group?
Sponsored: Lasse Eriksen on contrast therapy
Contrast therapy is gaining attention for its healing effects. We ask aufguss and sauna expert Lasse Eriksen to share his views on the perfect experience
Nature spas: Tree of life
Lisa Starr discovers two retreats in Austria and Italy which base their wellbeing concepts on forests
Sponsored: Spirit of Excellence
Rupert Schmid and Pierre-Louis Delapalme, owners of Biologique Recherche, discuss the global rollout of its ‘Ambassade’ flagship spas
Sponsored: Outstanding performance
Bicester Hotel & Spa is working with Matrix Fitness to enable wellness guests to train like athletes with a unique offering
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day
(GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation
experiences.
Longevitix, a clinical platform for preventive and longevity medicine, has launched its AI-
powered intelligence system to help physicians deliver continuous, personalised longevity-
focused care at scale.
Atmantan Wellness Centre, an integrative wellness destination in Mulshi, near Pune in India, is
expanding its portfolio by adding a new centre in Hyderabad that will launch between 2028 and
2029.
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.
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...]
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...]
