Revenues are at an all-time high, operators are starting to benefit from yield management and democratic wellness is bubbling under. It’s an exciting time for our industry
World Spa NYC expects an ROI in 12 months / photo: anna sokol
Figures just out from the International Spa Association (ISPA) show that revenues from US spas have surpassed US$20bn (€18.6bn, £16.2bn) a year for the first time, marking a milestone achievement (see p32). The number of spa locations, visits, revenue per visit and total employment numbers are also up.
Our sector, which is based on touch and travel, was one of the hardest hit by COVID. But even back then, operators were optimistic their focus on wellbeing would stand the test of time, as a shell-shocked global population had a health wake-up call.
It’s heartwarming to see these numbers confirming the comeback and also to have spas on the ground corroborating that their businesses are flourishing.
Another positive to come from hard times is that operators are increasingly embracing yield management. More often than not, Spa Business sees dynamic pricing at play and a steady increase in the number of businesses launching membership packages (see p102). Yes, this is an anecdotal observation, based on our reporting and there’s more operators can do, but it’s interesting and promising, nonetheless.
It’s most encouraging, however, to see the beginnings of democratic wellness and the hunger for it.
Therme Group charges as little as US$20 (€19, £16) for a three-hour pass to its Bucharest complex and welcomed over 1 million visitors in its first year. At the new World Spa bathhouse in New York (see p96) entry starts at US$89 (€83, £72) and people are queuing around the block to get in – even on a Monday. The owners expect to see a return on investment in the first 12 months.
On a larger scale, Hilton’s Amanda Al-Masri reveals that the global group intends to deliver wellness across all its 19 brands, not just those in the top tier (see p70). This amounts to 7,000 properties and 1 million guestrooms. “It helps us to do right by our guests and I feel a huge responsibility to deliver it,” she says.
The move, spearheaded by an all-female leadership team, will see wellness touchpoints delivered throughout Hilton hotels, not just in spas. Yet, at the same time, much innovation is stemming from those spas and they’re gaining well-deserved, widespread recognition for this.
Katie Barnes is the editor of Spa Business magazine
| [email protected]
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2023 issue 2
Editor's letter: Feeling optimistic
Revenue is at an all-time high and democratic wellness is bubbling under. It’s an exciting time for spas, says Katie Barnes
Spa People: Taichi Kuma
The son of celebrated architect Kengo Kuma designs a striking shell-like sauna in Japan
Spa People: Ana Ramirez
On her plans to roll out Ancestral Handmade, her regenerative wellness hotel concept, across South America – starting in Colombia
Spa People: Daniel Golby
On ESPA Life's debut in Doha and the markets he has his eyes set on for future expansion
News report: Milestone moment
US spa industry revenue exceeds the US$20bn mark according to ISPA's latest Big Five statistics
Sponsored: MyBlend: A new vision of beauty
Clarins has elevated its myBlend brand with new tech and formulations, as well as forging powerful alliances with global spa partners
Sponsored: Gharieni: Mind expansion
With the quest for better mental health growing ever stronger in the wake of the global pandemic, we ask Gharieni CEO Sammy Gharieni how the company’s wellness technologies are helping spas to meet this consumer demand
Top team: Hilton
Sleep, fitness and new spa concepts are top of the list as Hilton looks to deliver wellness across its 7,000 properties
Thermal spa: The heat is on
With 50 hot springs projects underway, the US is looking to establish itself as a thermal spa destination. Jane Kitchen takes a closer look
The MSpa Oslo series is a perennial bestseller in global markets. With innovative
engineering and premium performance, this completely portable spa line-up is expertly
designed to meet the needs of customers worldwide. [more...]
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Revenues are at an all-time high, operators are starting to benefit from yield management and democratic wellness is bubbling under. It’s an exciting time for our industry
World Spa NYC expects an ROI in 12 months / photo: anna sokol
Figures just out from the International Spa Association (ISPA) show that revenues from US spas have surpassed US$20bn (€18.6bn, £16.2bn) a year for the first time, marking a milestone achievement (see p32). The number of spa locations, visits, revenue per visit and total employment numbers are also up.
Our sector, which is based on touch and travel, was one of the hardest hit by COVID. But even back then, operators were optimistic their focus on wellbeing would stand the test of time, as a shell-shocked global population had a health wake-up call.
It’s heartwarming to see these numbers confirming the comeback and also to have spas on the ground corroborating that their businesses are flourishing.
Another positive to come from hard times is that operators are increasingly embracing yield management. More often than not, Spa Business sees dynamic pricing at play and a steady increase in the number of businesses launching membership packages (see p102). Yes, this is an anecdotal observation, based on our reporting and there’s more operators can do, but it’s interesting and promising, nonetheless.
It’s most encouraging, however, to see the beginnings of democratic wellness and the hunger for it.
Therme Group charges as little as US$20 (€19, £16) for a three-hour pass to its Bucharest complex and welcomed over 1 million visitors in its first year. At the new World Spa bathhouse in New York (see p96) entry starts at US$89 (€83, £72) and people are queuing around the block to get in – even on a Monday. The owners expect to see a return on investment in the first 12 months.
On a larger scale, Hilton’s Amanda Al-Masri reveals that the global group intends to deliver wellness across all its 19 brands, not just those in the top tier (see p70). This amounts to 7,000 properties and 1 million guestrooms. “It helps us to do right by our guests and I feel a huge responsibility to deliver it,” she says.
The move, spearheaded by an all-female leadership team, will see wellness touchpoints delivered throughout Hilton hotels, not just in spas. Yet, at the same time, much innovation is stemming from those spas and they’re gaining well-deserved, widespread recognition for this.
Katie Barnes is the editor of Spa Business magazine
| [email protected]
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2023 issue 2
Editor's letter: Feeling optimistic
Revenue is at an all-time high and democratic wellness is bubbling under. It’s an exciting time for spas, says Katie Barnes
Spa People: Taichi Kuma
The son of celebrated architect Kengo Kuma designs a striking shell-like sauna in Japan
Spa People: Ana Ramirez
On her plans to roll out Ancestral Handmade, her regenerative wellness hotel concept, across South America – starting in Colombia
Spa People: Daniel Golby
On ESPA Life's debut in Doha and the markets he has his eyes set on for future expansion
News report: Milestone moment
US spa industry revenue exceeds the US$20bn mark according to ISPA's latest Big Five statistics
Sponsored: MyBlend: A new vision of beauty
Clarins has elevated its myBlend brand with new tech and formulations, as well as forging powerful alliances with global spa partners
Sponsored: Gharieni: Mind expansion
With the quest for better mental health growing ever stronger in the wake of the global pandemic, we ask Gharieni CEO Sammy Gharieni how the company’s wellness technologies are helping spas to meet this consumer demand
Top team: Hilton
Sleep, fitness and new spa concepts are top of the list as Hilton looks to deliver wellness across its 7,000 properties
Thermal spa: The heat is on
With 50 hot springs projects underway, the US is looking to establish itself as a thermal spa destination. Jane Kitchen takes a closer look
Preidlhof Luxury DolceVita Resort, a destination resort and spa in Naturno, South Tyrol in Italy,
will reveal a new spa in February 2027, which has been designed by wellness expert and
consultant Patrizia Bortolin.
Private hotel owner and developer HVL Hotels will open a new luxury resort and tourism
destination called Laval Hunter Valley in the second half of 2027 in Pokolbin, Australia.
The annual wellness festival dedicated to wellbeing, culture, longevity and human connection,
called Alma, will be hosted by Rocco Forte hotel, Verdura Resort in Sicily, Italy.
Capella Hotel Group has appointed Feisal Jaffer as chief development officer as the company
ramps up its global expansion of both its Capella and Patina brands.
People taking GLP-1 weight loss medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound
may be losing weight, but they’re also becoming less physically active, according to new
research presented at the ENDO 2026 annual meeting of the Endocrine Society
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed
€1 billion
offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the
continental European Center Parcs business.
Global retreat trade show, Synergy The Retreat Show, has launched a resource called The
Source, which hosts an open-access online Transformation Series programme.
The MSpa Oslo series is a perennial bestseller in global markets. With innovative
engineering and premium performance, this completely portable spa line-up is expertly
designed to meet the needs of customers worldwide. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Myndstream The Stream, Myndstream's purpose-built streaming service enables you to personalise the music to sui [more...]
