The spa and wellness industry is facing an escalation in external
pressures from every direction. The way we respond and adapt
will determine our future success and perhaps even our survival
By Liz Terry | Published in Spa Business 2019 issue 3
What do human rights protests in Hong Kong, a 16-year-old girl sailing across the Atlantic and a Trump fundraiser have to do with the spa and wellness industry? Turns out they’re the canaries in the coalmine, the predictors of forces which will define and shape the future of our industry.
Unrest in Hong Kong led to the relocation of the Global Wellness Summit to Singapore this year – an unprecedented move which shows how unexpected events in even the most established markets can change business models almost overnight.
As awareness of Greta Thunberg’s Atlantic crossing and climate emergency message spreads, flying will become less and less socially acceptable to the many people who have – to this point – see it as a desirable lifestyle choice.
Operators who rely on inbound tourists are advised to incubate new business in local markets as flying becomes toxic.
There are already signs this is happening and in this issue, we talk to Rosewood (page 48) about how its latest spa concept has been designed with an 80/20 focus on local customers.
The unpredictable state of our global political set-up is also reshaping business at an accelerating pace – just ask high-end fitness and wellness operator, Equinox, which has had a tough couple of weeks.
Right in the middle of the launch of two major initiatives – its first wellness hotel and first range of home workouts – the company was hit with a reputational crisis as it was revealed that the ultimate owner of the business was about to host a fundraising event for Donald Trump.
This wouldn’t have mattered so much if Equinox hadn’t spent decades building its tribe of liberal, left-leaning customers. The outcome has been a boycott by members.
So how do we respond to this age of uncertainty? By raising our eyes to the horizon, tuning in to every worldshifting change and adapting what we do to survive and thrive while being true to our values as an industry.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Spa Programmes: On the menu
Energy medicine at Six Senses; aroma retreat on Croatia’s Island of Vitality and menopause programming all feature in our spa menu round-up
Top team: Rosewood
Jane Kitchen talks to the wellness team behind Rosewood, and its forward-thinking spa concepts, as CEO Sonia Cheng leads a vigorous global rollout
Everyone’s talking about: CBD
Are CBD treatments and products an unregulated fad, or a serious business proposition? Spa Business investigates
Promotional feature: The Madison Collection
Innovation of form and function in robes and towels is a vital part of attracting the next generation of wellness consumers. Charmaine T Lang from The Madison Collection explains how her company consistently maintains its successful point of difference
Interview: Markus Engel
The CEO of Asia’s Urban Resort Concepts talks to Spa Business about positive disruption in the hospitality and spa sector
Promotional feature: The Wellness
A beautiful pool can be the standout feature that draws new customers. It can also cut your running costs if it’s designed to be sustainable. Mohammed Ibrahim, CEO of The Wellness, explains
Interview: Davide Bollati
Liz Terry speaks to the founder of Comfort Zone about the group’s new botanical garden and ongoing commitment to environmentalism
Research: Generation gap
A new consumer study by ISPA uncovers spa-goer preferences and habits across different age groups
Promotional feature: Phytomer
Formulating the ultimate universal product to heal and defend the skin has taken three years of R&D for Phytomer, the French luxury marine skincare brand. The company’s scientific director tells Spa Business about the launch of the groundbreaking Prebioforce serum
Event Report: APSWC Round Table
Industry leaders contribute to APSWC’s third white paper at annual gathering. Catharine Nicol reports from Malaysia
Family spa: Play time
Spa Business takes a look at innovative spa programmes for children and families
Eco spa: Going green
Joanna Roche and Bonnie Baker share their ambitions for the Green Spa Network
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 spa and wellness industry is facing an escalation in external
pressures from every direction. The way we respond and adapt
will determine our future success and perhaps even our survival
By Liz Terry | Published in Spa Business 2019 issue 3
What do human rights protests in Hong Kong, a 16-year-old girl sailing across the Atlantic and a Trump fundraiser have to do with the spa and wellness industry? Turns out they’re the canaries in the coalmine, the predictors of forces which will define and shape the future of our industry.
Unrest in Hong Kong led to the relocation of the Global Wellness Summit to Singapore this year – an unprecedented move which shows how unexpected events in even the most established markets can change business models almost overnight.
As awareness of Greta Thunberg’s Atlantic crossing and climate emergency message spreads, flying will become less and less socially acceptable to the many people who have – to this point – see it as a desirable lifestyle choice.
Operators who rely on inbound tourists are advised to incubate new business in local markets as flying becomes toxic.
There are already signs this is happening and in this issue, we talk to Rosewood (page 48) about how its latest spa concept has been designed with an 80/20 focus on local customers.
The unpredictable state of our global political set-up is also reshaping business at an accelerating pace – just ask high-end fitness and wellness operator, Equinox, which has had a tough couple of weeks.
Right in the middle of the launch of two major initiatives – its first wellness hotel and first range of home workouts – the company was hit with a reputational crisis as it was revealed that the ultimate owner of the business was about to host a fundraising event for Donald Trump.
This wouldn’t have mattered so much if Equinox hadn’t spent decades building its tribe of liberal, left-leaning customers. The outcome has been a boycott by members.
So how do we respond to this age of uncertainty? By raising our eyes to the horizon, tuning in to every worldshifting change and adapting what we do to survive and thrive while being true to our values as an industry.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Spa Programmes: On the menu
Energy medicine at Six Senses; aroma retreat on Croatia’s Island of Vitality and menopause programming all feature in our spa menu round-up
Top team: Rosewood
Jane Kitchen talks to the wellness team behind Rosewood, and its forward-thinking spa concepts, as CEO Sonia Cheng leads a vigorous global rollout
Everyone’s talking about: CBD
Are CBD treatments and products an unregulated fad, or a serious business proposition? Spa Business investigates
Promotional feature: The Madison Collection
Innovation of form and function in robes and towels is a vital part of attracting the next generation of wellness consumers. Charmaine T Lang from The Madison Collection explains how her company consistently maintains its successful point of difference
Interview: Markus Engel
The CEO of Asia’s Urban Resort Concepts talks to Spa Business about positive disruption in the hospitality and spa sector
Promotional feature: The Wellness
A beautiful pool can be the standout feature that draws new customers. It can also cut your running costs if it’s designed to be sustainable. Mohammed Ibrahim, CEO of The Wellness, explains
Interview: Davide Bollati
Liz Terry speaks to the founder of Comfort Zone about the group’s new botanical garden and ongoing commitment to environmentalism
Research: Generation gap
A new consumer study by ISPA uncovers spa-goer preferences and habits across different age groups
Promotional feature: Phytomer
Formulating the ultimate universal product to heal and defend the skin has taken three years of R&D for Phytomer, the French luxury marine skincare brand. The company’s scientific director tells Spa Business about the launch of the groundbreaking Prebioforce serum
Event Report: APSWC Round Table
Industry leaders contribute to APSWC’s third white paper at annual gathering. Catharine Nicol reports from Malaysia
Family spa: Play time
Spa Business takes a look at innovative spa programmes for children and families
Eco spa: Going green
Joanna Roche and Bonnie Baker share their ambitions for the Green Spa Network
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.
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...]
