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It’s no longer enough to focus on the ‘Big Five’ senses if you want to fully connect with visitors. Why not engage the senses of danger, balance or justice to create experiences that truly resonate?
Tomas Saraceno’s sensory installation at The Shed, NYC, page 32 / Nicholas Knight
As we emerge from the pandemic, pent up demand is seeing people hungry for the adventures they’ve been missing out on.
Memorable experiences are all about triggering sensations, and that’s something the attractions industry has always excelled at, but could we be doing even more?
Museums and attractions have long described themselves as multi-sensory as a result of including exhibits and interactives that appeal to visitors’ core senses of sight, sound, smell, touch and taste.
However, today, we have far more scientific insight into how we can engage a fuller range of senses and there’s an opportunity to use this knowledge to engage visitors in more profound, unusual and creative ways.
In a fascinating interview on page 32, Roto founder, Joseph Wisne, argues it’s time for us to move beyond the sensory to develop ‘supersensory’ experiences that stimulate the full range of senses in all their depth and diversity.
We know humans have far more than the five ‘basic’ senses we were taught about at school. We can now add a sense of danger or pain, and more complex ‘senses’, such as a sense of humour, justice or empathy to the list. All these can be used to tell powerful stories.
We can also use the science of ‘peak experience’ to play with the sense of time and make an experience feel longer than it really is, or get creative and use the senses of proprioception or balance to ‘wake up’ visitors.
This knowledge is being used by pioneers to create richer and more memorable experiences.
One of the most memorable experiences I’ve had was Punchdrunk’s Masque of the Red Death, in which the audience dressed up, the entire Victorian theatre was transformed and the live music, food and drinks were all part of the experience. We could touch the props, see and smell smoke – we were taken on a journey where we felt curious, excited and at times downright uneasy. The fact I shared the experience with friends only deepened its impact.
The success of attractions such as Superblue Miami, the Van Gogh Immersive Experiences and Meow Wolf and teamLab’s art-based attractions show people’s desire to feel fully engaged and stimulated. Static attractions and museums can learn from this to get supersensory and deepen visitors’ connection with what they’re experiencing.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2022 issue 1
Editor's letter: Supersensory
With our growing insight into how to engage visitors’ more complex senses, it’s time for a new approach, says Magali Robathan
Immersive experiences: Joseph Wisne
Truly ambitious attractions providers need to push the boundaries of immersive design by engaging visitors’ senses of pain, danger, balance, justice and more, argues Roto’s CEO
Interview: Esther Dugdale
As the Burrell Collection relaunches and Eden Qingdao takes shape, Event’s creative director shares her tips for creating experiences that spark joy and curiosity
The arts: Room to grow
Could the space age, ultra flexible design of the new Taipei Performing Arts Center provide a model for future attractions spaces?
Museums: Ones to watch
From an AI museum built by robots to the long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum, we take a look at some exciting 2022 openings
Research: All of history
As demand for growing honesty in relation to links to slavery and colonialism grows, should attractions be open about their history? Jon Young investigates
Opinion: Vince Kadlubek
Art engages and delights visitors. Kadlubek argues that attractions should embrace and support artists and look for shared initiatives
Waterparks: Waves of change
As The Wave inland surf lake announces plans to open six more sites, we go along for a surf and a sit down with CEO Craig Stoddart
Experience economy: Joe Pine
Experience platforms represent one of the biggest growth opportunities in today’s experience economy, argues Joe Pine. Here’s how to get them right
Interview: Cale Heit
With new themed coasters open at Motiongate Dubai and some intruiging projects underway, Forrec is making the most of the pent up demand for shared experiences. CEO Cale Heit tells us 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...]
Le Atelier by C.O.D.E. doesn't offer a standard bespoke service, it provides a highly
customised approach to designing massage beds and loungers in high-end wellness
environments. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
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Lemi Group
Lemi Group designs and produces treatment tables, chairs and multi-functional furniture and equipmen [more...]
Subtle Energies
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It’s no longer enough to focus on the ‘Big Five’ senses if you want to fully connect with visitors. Why not engage the senses of danger, balance or justice to create experiences that truly resonate?
Tomas Saraceno’s sensory installation at The Shed, NYC, page 32 / Nicholas Knight
As we emerge from the pandemic, pent up demand is seeing people hungry for the adventures they’ve been missing out on.
Memorable experiences are all about triggering sensations, and that’s something the attractions industry has always excelled at, but could we be doing even more?
Museums and attractions have long described themselves as multi-sensory as a result of including exhibits and interactives that appeal to visitors’ core senses of sight, sound, smell, touch and taste.
However, today, we have far more scientific insight into how we can engage a fuller range of senses and there’s an opportunity to use this knowledge to engage visitors in more profound, unusual and creative ways.
In a fascinating interview on page 32, Roto founder, Joseph Wisne, argues it’s time for us to move beyond the sensory to develop ‘supersensory’ experiences that stimulate the full range of senses in all their depth and diversity.
We know humans have far more than the five ‘basic’ senses we were taught about at school. We can now add a sense of danger or pain, and more complex ‘senses’, such as a sense of humour, justice or empathy to the list. All these can be used to tell powerful stories.
We can also use the science of ‘peak experience’ to play with the sense of time and make an experience feel longer than it really is, or get creative and use the senses of proprioception or balance to ‘wake up’ visitors.
This knowledge is being used by pioneers to create richer and more memorable experiences.
One of the most memorable experiences I’ve had was Punchdrunk’s Masque of the Red Death, in which the audience dressed up, the entire Victorian theatre was transformed and the live music, food and drinks were all part of the experience. We could touch the props, see and smell smoke – we were taken on a journey where we felt curious, excited and at times downright uneasy. The fact I shared the experience with friends only deepened its impact.
The success of attractions such as Superblue Miami, the Van Gogh Immersive Experiences and Meow Wolf and teamLab’s art-based attractions show people’s desire to feel fully engaged and stimulated. Static attractions and museums can learn from this to get supersensory and deepen visitors’ connection with what they’re experiencing.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2022 issue 1
Editor's letter: Supersensory
With our growing insight into how to engage visitors’ more complex senses, it’s time for a new approach, says Magali Robathan
Immersive experiences: Joseph Wisne
Truly ambitious attractions providers need to push the boundaries of immersive design by engaging visitors’ senses of pain, danger, balance, justice and more, argues Roto’s CEO
Interview: Esther Dugdale
As the Burrell Collection relaunches and Eden Qingdao takes shape, Event’s creative director shares her tips for creating experiences that spark joy and curiosity
The arts: Room to grow
Could the space age, ultra flexible design of the new Taipei Performing Arts Center provide a model for future attractions spaces?
Museums: Ones to watch
From an AI museum built by robots to the long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum, we take a look at some exciting 2022 openings
Research: All of history
As demand for growing honesty in relation to links to slavery and colonialism grows, should attractions be open about their history? Jon Young investigates
Opinion: Vince Kadlubek
Art engages and delights visitors. Kadlubek argues that attractions should embrace and support artists and look for shared initiatives
Waterparks: Waves of change
As The Wave inland surf lake announces plans to open six more sites, we go along for a surf and a sit down with CEO Craig Stoddart
Experience economy: Joe Pine
Experience platforms represent one of the biggest growth opportunities in today’s experience economy, argues Joe Pine. Here’s how to get them right
Interview: Cale Heit
With new themed coasters open at Motiongate Dubai and some intruiging projects underway, Forrec is making the most of the pent up demand for shared experiences. CEO Cale Heit tells us more
Global Wellness Day (GWD) will mark 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.
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
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...]
Le Atelier by C.O.D.E. doesn't offer a standard bespoke service, it provides a highly
customised approach to designing massage beds and loungers in high-end wellness
environments. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Lemi Group Lemi Group designs and produces treatment tables, chairs and multi-functional furniture and equipmen [more...]
