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
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...]
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
Global Wellness Day (GWD) marked its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the
theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider,
HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its
site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French
West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to
celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
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.
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...]
