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Do you have a strong opinion, or disagree with somebody else’s point of view on topics related to the spa industry? If so, Spa Business would love to hear from you. Email your letters, thoughts and suggestions to [email protected]
Promotional feature: Phytomer
As a pioneer of marine skincare, Phytomer represents a story of three impassioned generations and a dedication to cultivating the purest spa ingredients from the northern French coast
WHY NATURE WILL BECOME EVEN MORE IMPORTANT TO SPAS
Dr Marc Cohen
Dr Marc CohenProfessor of Health SciencesRMIT University
As the wellness industry grows, nature (and all its facets) will become an increasingly valuable resource – and the savvy spas of today will take note of this for the future.
Nature’s healing power cannot be overestimated and while every part of the planet is now a tourist destination, people will seek out immersion in ‘deep nature’ that’s far from technological and industrial influences. In the same manner, expect to see consumers looking for ‘natural soundscapes’ with wellness rooms that offer true silence, free from the hum of industrial ‘noise’. There will also be a greater use of music as medicine – sound therapy devices, an emphasis on the benefits of singing and playing music with sounds of nature.
I also predict a rising demand for good quality water and air.
People are now realising their drinking and bathing water, even at spa and wellness locations, is often contaminated with heavy metals, pesticides, drugs and plastic. Soon we’ll see smartphone compatible water-test kits and new water harvesting, filtering and purification technologies
Air quality is vital for optimal health and as more people realise how deadly traffic pollution is, they’ll vacate cities to escape from toxic air. Expect to see new air filter technologies, indoor air quality meters and fitness/wellness centres highlighting air quality amongst their offerings.
Tel: +61 439 446 688
"People will seek out immersion in ‘deep nature’ that’s far from technological and industrial influences"
shutterstock/ StudioMonkey. AirForU
Consumers will soon be able to use pollution sensors to measure air quality inside buildings as well as outdoors
EDUCATION IS KEY TO VISITING PRACTITIONER PROGRAMMES
Dr Pedro Catarino
Dr Pedro CatarinoDirector of WellnessSha Wellness Clinic
As Sha launched its Visiting Master Programme (VMP) a year ago, it was interesting to see Spa Business’ Ask an Expert focusing on this topic (see SB16/3, p68).
We introduced the VMP to complement the Sha Academy which comprises a series of conferences and classes on everything from healthy cooking to relaxation, meditation and yoga. The aim is to create an awareness of wellbeing and to provide guests with the tools and knowledge to enjoy long-term physical, mental and emotional health.
We find that two visiting masters a month is a good number and they specialise in a wide variety of areas from beauty coaching, through fascia release bodywork to ancient healing methods like Japanese acupuncture.
Educating our guests, creating an enthusiasm for recommendations and advice, is the overall vision and mission at Sha. The selection and scheduling of our visiting masters is aligned with this ethos and we think that’s been the secret to its success – clients book onto the programme as early as six months in advance and the practitioners get a 90 per cent attendance during their stay here.
Contact Dr Pedro Catarino Tel: +34 966 81 11 99
Twitter: @shawellness
"The aim is to provide guests with the tools and knowledge to enjoy long-term physical, mental and emotional health"
l There’s a 90 per cent take-up rate for Sha’s visiting practitioners
MASTER THE BASICS BEFORE TARGETING WELL-LIFE CONSUMERS
l Harding-Bond says therapists still aren’t properly trained in basic techniques such as product sales
Linda Harding-Bond, global spa retail and engagement trainerGlobal Spa Retail and Engagement Trainer
In response to Liz Terry’s commentary Who Will Own the Well-Life Consumer? (see SB16/2 p7), I think we must first look at our current positioning and improve guest engagement. For anyone who doubts this is an issue, they need only to look at spa retail revenue results from the latest benchmarking reports which show the majority of facilities are still only selling 10 per cent retail at most.
Product sales are an important extension of service and a critical element in customer retention. And sub-standard sales are indicative of poor service.
So as the industry shuffles about wondering whether retail training generates sufficient ROI, rapidly expanding beauty outlets like Sephora and Ulta are fulfilling requests for the exact same products that therapists are unable to sell because no one has taught them how. No one is better positioned to capture the minds, bodies and dollars than the practitioners of skincare and bodywork in the spa industry. So before we try and figure how to fit into the bigger wellness picture, the most important players, the therapists, must be properly trained and in top condition.
Contact Linda Harding-Bond Tel: +66 09 3826 5453
Email: linda@ moontideconsulting.com
"We must first improve guest engagement. For anyone who doubts this is an issue, they need only look at spa retail revenue results "
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...]
Do you have a strong opinion, or disagree with somebody else’s point of view on topics related to the spa industry? If so, Spa Business would love to hear from you. Email your letters, thoughts and suggestions to [email protected]
Promotional feature: Phytomer
As a pioneer of marine skincare, Phytomer represents a story of three impassioned generations and a dedication to cultivating the purest spa ingredients from the northern French coast
WHY NATURE WILL BECOME EVEN MORE IMPORTANT TO SPAS
Dr Marc Cohen
Dr Marc CohenProfessor of Health SciencesRMIT University
As the wellness industry grows, nature (and all its facets) will become an increasingly valuable resource – and the savvy spas of today will take note of this for the future.
Nature’s healing power cannot be overestimated and while every part of the planet is now a tourist destination, people will seek out immersion in ‘deep nature’ that’s far from technological and industrial influences. In the same manner, expect to see consumers looking for ‘natural soundscapes’ with wellness rooms that offer true silence, free from the hum of industrial ‘noise’. There will also be a greater use of music as medicine – sound therapy devices, an emphasis on the benefits of singing and playing music with sounds of nature.
I also predict a rising demand for good quality water and air.
People are now realising their drinking and bathing water, even at spa and wellness locations, is often contaminated with heavy metals, pesticides, drugs and plastic. Soon we’ll see smartphone compatible water-test kits and new water harvesting, filtering and purification technologies
Air quality is vital for optimal health and as more people realise how deadly traffic pollution is, they’ll vacate cities to escape from toxic air. Expect to see new air filter technologies, indoor air quality meters and fitness/wellness centres highlighting air quality amongst their offerings.
Tel: +61 439 446 688
"People will seek out immersion in ‘deep nature’ that’s far from technological and industrial influences"
shutterstock/ StudioMonkey. AirForU
Consumers will soon be able to use pollution sensors to measure air quality inside buildings as well as outdoors
EDUCATION IS KEY TO VISITING PRACTITIONER PROGRAMMES
Dr Pedro Catarino
Dr Pedro CatarinoDirector of WellnessSha Wellness Clinic
As Sha launched its Visiting Master Programme (VMP) a year ago, it was interesting to see Spa Business’ Ask an Expert focusing on this topic (see SB16/3, p68).
We introduced the VMP to complement the Sha Academy which comprises a series of conferences and classes on everything from healthy cooking to relaxation, meditation and yoga. The aim is to create an awareness of wellbeing and to provide guests with the tools and knowledge to enjoy long-term physical, mental and emotional health.
We find that two visiting masters a month is a good number and they specialise in a wide variety of areas from beauty coaching, through fascia release bodywork to ancient healing methods like Japanese acupuncture.
Educating our guests, creating an enthusiasm for recommendations and advice, is the overall vision and mission at Sha. The selection and scheduling of our visiting masters is aligned with this ethos and we think that’s been the secret to its success – clients book onto the programme as early as six months in advance and the practitioners get a 90 per cent attendance during their stay here.
Contact Dr Pedro Catarino Tel: +34 966 81 11 99
Twitter: @shawellness
"The aim is to provide guests with the tools and knowledge to enjoy long-term physical, mental and emotional health"
l There’s a 90 per cent take-up rate for Sha’s visiting practitioners
MASTER THE BASICS BEFORE TARGETING WELL-LIFE CONSUMERS
l Harding-Bond says therapists still aren’t properly trained in basic techniques such as product sales
Linda Harding-Bond, global spa retail and engagement trainerGlobal Spa Retail and Engagement Trainer
In response to Liz Terry’s commentary Who Will Own the Well-Life Consumer? (see SB16/2 p7), I think we must first look at our current positioning and improve guest engagement. For anyone who doubts this is an issue, they need only to look at spa retail revenue results from the latest benchmarking reports which show the majority of facilities are still only selling 10 per cent retail at most.
Product sales are an important extension of service and a critical element in customer retention. And sub-standard sales are indicative of poor service.
So as the industry shuffles about wondering whether retail training generates sufficient ROI, rapidly expanding beauty outlets like Sephora and Ulta are fulfilling requests for the exact same products that therapists are unable to sell because no one has taught them how. No one is better positioned to capture the minds, bodies and dollars than the practitioners of skincare and bodywork in the spa industry. So before we try and figure how to fit into the bigger wellness picture, the most important players, the therapists, must be properly trained and in top condition.
Contact Linda Harding-Bond Tel: +66 09 3826 5453
Email: linda@ moontideconsulting.com
"We must first improve guest engagement. For anyone who doubts this is an issue, they need only look at spa retail revenue results "
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
Mexican operator, Solmar Hotels and Resorts, is hosting a series of events in celebration of
Global Wellness Day, including a Temazcal ceremony at its Playa Grande Resort and Spa in Los
Cabos.
Mandarin Oriental has announced a standalone residence brand, Mansions, which will debut at
Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Mansions, Abu Dhabi, in 2029.
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai in Hoi An, Vietnam, has put together a Global Wellness Day
(GWD) agenda with activations rooted in nature and shaped by four pillars of Joy – in
alignment with the day’s theme #JoyMagenta.
The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) will celebrate its 20th anniversary at the 2026 event in
Phuket, Thailand, later this year with the theme: The Science, Art and Soul of Wellness.
Auko, an all-inclusive development, is opening in Phong Nha in Vietnam in Q3 2026, with a
series of 30 tented eco-lodges and wellness hospitality operations by Lumina Wellbeing.
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions
that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once
complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK.
Naples Beach Club, a Four Seasons Resort, has opened a 2,800sq m spa called The Sanctuary,
with the design and concept inspired by the Native American people that populated Florida’s
Southwest coast – the Calusa.
Swire Hotels’ luxury hospitality brand Upper House has revealed it will roll out its two-day
House of Healing retreats at its three hotels in Hong Kong, Chengdu and Shanghai.
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...]
