Floatation therapy is an increasingly popular service / shutterstock/hedgehog94
Touchless wellness refers to any treatment, therapy or experience that delivers a selection of physical, mental and spiritual benefits using a product or service with the intention to benefit the health and wellbeing of an individual – without the need for direct physical touch or a therapist to deliver the experience. Touchless wellness experiences can be curated as stand-alone or as part of a full integration with other treatments or therapies, and as part of a guest journey experience.
Although touchless wellness practices have been around for millennia (think meditation, gong baths, sound healing and energy healing), they are now being reinvented and innovated with the use of technology.
Evolving wellness landscape We are evolving our idea of what is included in the spa offering and how these have been historically delivered. In today’s digital and technologically advanced environment, the wellness space is one that harnesses the power of technology and uses it in tandem with touch therapies such as massage, body scrubs and facials. This not only enriches the service offerings, it elevates the experience.
But with treatments and experiences such as mind/body technologies, salt rooms, contrast therapies, gong baths, music, infrared treatments and therapies and other practices, touch becomes less important. In the context of social wellness and other trends, touchless wellness is at the heart of a rapidly evolving wellness landscape.
Wellness for all In a world where wellness has often been perceived as a luxury accessible only to a privileged few, touchless wellness emerges as a game-changer, with the power to democratise wellbeing for everyone.
The beauty of touchless wellness lies in its accessibility, breaking down barriers that have hindered people from embracing a healthier lifestyle – perhaps most importantly, affordability. New touchless solutions reduce the demand for additional labour, often making holistic wellbeing more economically feasible for a broader demographic. Families also stand to benefit as touchless wellness becomes an inclusive experience that can be enjoyed together, fostering a shared commitment to health and harmony, whereas many spas still have a ‘no children’ policy.
Carving out dedicated hours for self-care can also be challenging for many people, but touchless alternatives provide flexibility, accommodating even the busiest individuals. It’s a revolutionary shift that acknowledges the importance of wellbeing without demanding a significant time investment. Additionally, the ability to stack or layer the therapies offers the ultimate value for the wellness spend – and better wellness gains.
Mental wellness The past three years have also seen a global mental health crisis, with one in eight people worldwide living with a mental illness. Conditions such as anxiety and PTSD can make it incredibly difficult for people to embrace treatments such as massage. Touchless wellness offers a user-friendly way for people to access treatment for these conditions while easing them into touch therapies.
The benefits of touchless therapies include decreasing stress in chronic sufferers. Studies have shown that sensory deprivation and floatation tanks can decrease stress, depression, anxiety and pain, and can increase sleep quality and feelings of optimism.
Efficiency and simplicity Touchless wellness marks a revolutionary shift in the approach to some treatments, offering the advantage of being able to be experienced while fully clothed. These innovative concepts prioritise efficiency and simplicity, eliminating the need for additional logistics and other operational implications and further operating costs since de-robing is unnecessary.
Touchless wellness can offer a wide variety of services while maintaining high-quality experiences, limiting human error and reducing the unpredictability of business models that are heavily based on service providers. Most experiences only require someone to start the equipment initially and do a final check-in at the end of a session. This easier operating model takes stress off of owner/operators while delivering healthy ROIs.
Excerpted from the new white paper, ‘The Landscape of Touchless Wellness’. The full report is available to download in the membership area of the Touchless Wellness Association website. Membership is free.
BENEFITS OF TOUCHLESS WELLNESS EXPERIENCES
Diversified services: Introducing touchless wellness expands the range of services a business can provide, attracting a broader clientele.
Adaptability to preferences: Touchless options cater to individuals who prefer or require treatments without direct physical contact, accommodating a wider spectrum of customer preferences.
Market differentiation: Including touchless wellness sets a business apart in a competitive market.
Increased accessibility: Touchless options make wellness more accessible, breaking down barriers related to location and time constraints.
Cost-efficiency: Offering touchless treatments can be cost-effective in terms of staffing and resource allocation.
Innovation and modernisation: Integrating touchless wellness aligns a business with the latest advancements in the wellness industry.
Appealing to new audiences: Touchless wellness can attract people who may be hesitant or unable to participate in traditional hands-on treatments.
Enhanced customer experience: The convenience and customisation offered by touchless wellness contributes to an improved overall customer experience.
About the author: Erin Lee is Founder of the Touchless Wellness Association. With more than 25 years of experience in construction and wellness, Erin is a global designer specialising in heat experiences and halotherapy rooms.
About the author: Alina Hernandez is a wellness concept creator, advisory board member, award-winning wellness programme designer, Mayo Clinic certified health & wellness coach, author, and industry innovator.
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...]
Floatation therapy is an increasingly popular service / shutterstock/hedgehog94
Touchless wellness refers to any treatment, therapy or experience that delivers a selection of physical, mental and spiritual benefits using a product or service with the intention to benefit the health and wellbeing of an individual – without the need for direct physical touch or a therapist to deliver the experience. Touchless wellness experiences can be curated as stand-alone or as part of a full integration with other treatments or therapies, and as part of a guest journey experience.
Although touchless wellness practices have been around for millennia (think meditation, gong baths, sound healing and energy healing), they are now being reinvented and innovated with the use of technology.
Evolving wellness landscape We are evolving our idea of what is included in the spa offering and how these have been historically delivered. In today’s digital and technologically advanced environment, the wellness space is one that harnesses the power of technology and uses it in tandem with touch therapies such as massage, body scrubs and facials. This not only enriches the service offerings, it elevates the experience.
But with treatments and experiences such as mind/body technologies, salt rooms, contrast therapies, gong baths, music, infrared treatments and therapies and other practices, touch becomes less important. In the context of social wellness and other trends, touchless wellness is at the heart of a rapidly evolving wellness landscape.
Wellness for all In a world where wellness has often been perceived as a luxury accessible only to a privileged few, touchless wellness emerges as a game-changer, with the power to democratise wellbeing for everyone.
The beauty of touchless wellness lies in its accessibility, breaking down barriers that have hindered people from embracing a healthier lifestyle – perhaps most importantly, affordability. New touchless solutions reduce the demand for additional labour, often making holistic wellbeing more economically feasible for a broader demographic. Families also stand to benefit as touchless wellness becomes an inclusive experience that can be enjoyed together, fostering a shared commitment to health and harmony, whereas many spas still have a ‘no children’ policy.
Carving out dedicated hours for self-care can also be challenging for many people, but touchless alternatives provide flexibility, accommodating even the busiest individuals. It’s a revolutionary shift that acknowledges the importance of wellbeing without demanding a significant time investment. Additionally, the ability to stack or layer the therapies offers the ultimate value for the wellness spend – and better wellness gains.
Mental wellness The past three years have also seen a global mental health crisis, with one in eight people worldwide living with a mental illness. Conditions such as anxiety and PTSD can make it incredibly difficult for people to embrace treatments such as massage. Touchless wellness offers a user-friendly way for people to access treatment for these conditions while easing them into touch therapies.
The benefits of touchless therapies include decreasing stress in chronic sufferers. Studies have shown that sensory deprivation and floatation tanks can decrease stress, depression, anxiety and pain, and can increase sleep quality and feelings of optimism.
Efficiency and simplicity Touchless wellness marks a revolutionary shift in the approach to some treatments, offering the advantage of being able to be experienced while fully clothed. These innovative concepts prioritise efficiency and simplicity, eliminating the need for additional logistics and other operational implications and further operating costs since de-robing is unnecessary.
Touchless wellness can offer a wide variety of services while maintaining high-quality experiences, limiting human error and reducing the unpredictability of business models that are heavily based on service providers. Most experiences only require someone to start the equipment initially and do a final check-in at the end of a session. This easier operating model takes stress off of owner/operators while delivering healthy ROIs.
Excerpted from the new white paper, ‘The Landscape of Touchless Wellness’. The full report is available to download in the membership area of the Touchless Wellness Association website. Membership is free.
BENEFITS OF TOUCHLESS WELLNESS EXPERIENCES
Diversified services: Introducing touchless wellness expands the range of services a business can provide, attracting a broader clientele.
Adaptability to preferences: Touchless options cater to individuals who prefer or require treatments without direct physical contact, accommodating a wider spectrum of customer preferences.
Market differentiation: Including touchless wellness sets a business apart in a competitive market.
Increased accessibility: Touchless options make wellness more accessible, breaking down barriers related to location and time constraints.
Cost-efficiency: Offering touchless treatments can be cost-effective in terms of staffing and resource allocation.
Innovation and modernisation: Integrating touchless wellness aligns a business with the latest advancements in the wellness industry.
Appealing to new audiences: Touchless wellness can attract people who may be hesitant or unable to participate in traditional hands-on treatments.
Enhanced customer experience: The convenience and customisation offered by touchless wellness contributes to an improved overall customer experience.
About the author: Erin Lee is Founder of the Touchless Wellness Association. With more than 25 years of experience in construction and wellness, Erin is a global designer specialising in heat experiences and halotherapy rooms.
About the author: Alina Hernandez is a wellness concept creator, advisory board member, award-winning wellness programme designer, Mayo Clinic certified health & wellness coach, author, and industry innovator.
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 Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care (SATCC) charity has announced its first five-
day Living with Cancer and Beyond retreat, which will be held at Carden Park Hotel and Spa in
Cheshire, UK, between 1 and 5 September.
Patmos Aktis, a Luxury Collection Resort and Spa, has opened in Greece, with a renovated and
rebranded wellness offering called Ansana Wellness and Spa.
The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, an Autograph Collection property in Hawaii, US, has opened its
22,000 sq ft indoor-outdoor Spa at Mauna Kea as the final step in the property’s overall
renovation, which has cost more than US$180 million (€166 million, £140 mill
The UK spa review and discovery platform for consumers, the Good Spa Guide, has announced
it will host the Good Spa Guide Awards 2026 during an event on 16 November at Sopwell House
Hotel in St Albans, UK.
Eighty-four per cent of consumers now say wellness is a top priority in their lives, with this
percentage increasing year on year, according to a preview presentation of McKinsey’s Future of
Wellness 2026 research report.
Mass protests have been taking place since Monday 1 June in Albania over the development of
a luxury resort by Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner.
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.
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...]
