The US has seen increases in spa revenues, visits, locations, and employment / shutterstock
The spa industry in the US has been boosted by another year of healthy growth, according to the International Spa Association’s 2018 US Spa Industry Study, which was carried out in collaboration with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and funded by the ISPA Foundation.
The research is a nationwide overview of the US spa industry’s size and performance, and looks at data from 2017 through to May 2018.
The report is the result of a large-scale survey of spa operators across the United States. Respondents provided key metrics for 2,375 spa locations, and this year’s estimates show a sector that continues to grow.
Against a nationwide backdrop of higher GDP and employment numbers, there are increases in spa revenues, visits, number of locations and employment within the spa industry, marking the eighth year of positive growth since the financial downturn of the late 2000s.
The big five Each of the ‘big five’ statistics increased in 2017, reinforcing the industry’s growth (see Table 1). Total spa revenue is estimated to have reached US$17.5bn in 2017 – another all-time record figure for the industry. With the wider US economy growing more rapidly in 2017 (up 2.3 per cent compared to 1.5 per cent in 2016), the spa arena reflects this trend, with growth picking up from 3.1 per cent in 2016 to 4.3 per cent in 2017.
The last year has also seen a more modest rise in total visits, to 187 million (+1.6 per cent) – the equivalent of over 511,000 people visiting US spas each day. Bringing the revenue and visits data together means that revenue-per-visit rose healthily in 2017, up 2.7 per cent to US$93.70 (€80.20, £71.50).
With overall employment in the US economy rising by 1.6 per cent in 2017, the number of people working in the US spa industry has reached an all-time high, increasing for the second consecutive year to 372,100 (+1.9 per cent). By a wafer-thin margin, part-time employees are now more numerous than full-time staff. The total number of part-time workers grew to 173,900 in 2017 (+5.7 per cent), compared to a more modest growth in the number employed full-time (170,900, +3.1 per cent). Backing up a long-standing industry trend, this year’s results show a further fall in the number of contractors to 27,300 (-22 per cent); this group now represents fewer than one in 10 of the workforce.
Spa locations in the US are now at an all-time record high. Growth of 2.4 per cent in 2017 means that the 21,770 establishments surpasses the previous high of 21,300 recorded in 2008, just before the recession. The net increase of 510 spa locations in 2017 equates to just shy of 10 new spas opening every week.
Looking ahead Spas are continuing to use a variety of methods and techniques to ensure they remain well-positioned for further growth. Their use of modern communication channels continues to come to the forefront, with over three quarters (78 per cent) reporting that they offered social media promotions in 2017 and almost a third (32 per cent) offering special promotions to consumers who gave their spa a positive mention on social media or review sites. In addition, 77 per cent said they offered their clients electronic appointment reminders.
To keep themselves current, spas are actively refreshing their offering, with 60 per cent reporting that they are planning to offer new treatments in 2018 and 45 per cent planning to add new product lines. A recent trend is the continued rise of male spa goers, and in accordance, 41 per cent of spas are actively targeting this key growing segment with special promotions.
Spas are also making behind-the-scenes advancements to strengthen the business, with 59 per cent planning to adopt new or revised standard operating procedures in the next year and 54 per cent seeking to provide employees with new training opportunities. This is a very positive trend as ISPA’s new Spa Workforce Study (see SB18/2 p44) shows that therapists and managers are great advocates for the industry – especially when they have a positive working environment.
The big 5 statistics
out-turn and percentage change in 2017
About the research
The ISPA 2018 US Spa Industry Study, prepared by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and funded by the ISPA Foundation,
focuses on financial performance, growth and employment, as well as ownership structures, product and service offerings, future trends and emerging issues.
ISPA members may download a free copy of the latest report at experienceispa.com, and non-members can purchase it through the site.
Based in the US, ISPA represents operators and suppliers in more than 60 countries covering all aspects of the global spa industry.
About the author:
Colin McIlheney
Colin McIlheney is global research director at PwC.
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...]
The US has seen increases in spa revenues, visits, locations, and employment / shutterstock
The spa industry in the US has been boosted by another year of healthy growth, according to the International Spa Association’s 2018 US Spa Industry Study, which was carried out in collaboration with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and funded by the ISPA Foundation.
The research is a nationwide overview of the US spa industry’s size and performance, and looks at data from 2017 through to May 2018.
The report is the result of a large-scale survey of spa operators across the United States. Respondents provided key metrics for 2,375 spa locations, and this year’s estimates show a sector that continues to grow.
Against a nationwide backdrop of higher GDP and employment numbers, there are increases in spa revenues, visits, number of locations and employment within the spa industry, marking the eighth year of positive growth since the financial downturn of the late 2000s.
The big five Each of the ‘big five’ statistics increased in 2017, reinforcing the industry’s growth (see Table 1). Total spa revenue is estimated to have reached US$17.5bn in 2017 – another all-time record figure for the industry. With the wider US economy growing more rapidly in 2017 (up 2.3 per cent compared to 1.5 per cent in 2016), the spa arena reflects this trend, with growth picking up from 3.1 per cent in 2016 to 4.3 per cent in 2017.
The last year has also seen a more modest rise in total visits, to 187 million (+1.6 per cent) – the equivalent of over 511,000 people visiting US spas each day. Bringing the revenue and visits data together means that revenue-per-visit rose healthily in 2017, up 2.7 per cent to US$93.70 (€80.20, £71.50).
With overall employment in the US economy rising by 1.6 per cent in 2017, the number of people working in the US spa industry has reached an all-time high, increasing for the second consecutive year to 372,100 (+1.9 per cent). By a wafer-thin margin, part-time employees are now more numerous than full-time staff. The total number of part-time workers grew to 173,900 in 2017 (+5.7 per cent), compared to a more modest growth in the number employed full-time (170,900, +3.1 per cent). Backing up a long-standing industry trend, this year’s results show a further fall in the number of contractors to 27,300 (-22 per cent); this group now represents fewer than one in 10 of the workforce.
Spa locations in the US are now at an all-time record high. Growth of 2.4 per cent in 2017 means that the 21,770 establishments surpasses the previous high of 21,300 recorded in 2008, just before the recession. The net increase of 510 spa locations in 2017 equates to just shy of 10 new spas opening every week.
Looking ahead Spas are continuing to use a variety of methods and techniques to ensure they remain well-positioned for further growth. Their use of modern communication channels continues to come to the forefront, with over three quarters (78 per cent) reporting that they offered social media promotions in 2017 and almost a third (32 per cent) offering special promotions to consumers who gave their spa a positive mention on social media or review sites. In addition, 77 per cent said they offered their clients electronic appointment reminders.
To keep themselves current, spas are actively refreshing their offering, with 60 per cent reporting that they are planning to offer new treatments in 2018 and 45 per cent planning to add new product lines. A recent trend is the continued rise of male spa goers, and in accordance, 41 per cent of spas are actively targeting this key growing segment with special promotions.
Spas are also making behind-the-scenes advancements to strengthen the business, with 59 per cent planning to adopt new or revised standard operating procedures in the next year and 54 per cent seeking to provide employees with new training opportunities. This is a very positive trend as ISPA’s new Spa Workforce Study (see SB18/2 p44) shows that therapists and managers are great advocates for the industry – especially when they have a positive working environment.
The big 5 statistics
out-turn and percentage change in 2017
About the research
The ISPA 2018 US Spa Industry Study, prepared by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and funded by the ISPA Foundation,
focuses on financial performance, growth and employment, as well as ownership structures, product and service offerings, future trends and emerging issues.
ISPA members may download a free copy of the latest report at experienceispa.com, and non-members can purchase it through the site.
Based in the US, ISPA represents operators and suppliers in more than 60 countries covering all aspects of the global spa industry.
About the author:
Colin McIlheney
Colin McIlheney is global research director at PwC.
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.
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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.
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...]
