ISPA research highlights issues, challenges and solutions in spa training / andresr/iStock
ISPA is the source of some of the most useful spa industry research in the world today. Can you tell us more about it? ISPA’s spa and wellness research efforts, which have been ongoing for 30 years, are central to so much of what we do.
The research we produce supports members in understanding the state of the industry, by providing them with crucial context and business insight.
Our major research initiatives – the annual ISPA US Spa Industry Study and the consumer research we conduct with PricewaterhouseCoopers – are supported by the ISPA Foundation.
The annual US industry study is useful in different ways to different spa operators. When you consider that it includes everything from performance indicators and financial figures to information about industry trends – including retail, treatments, the workforce, technology, etc – you can see that the actionable data it contains allows spa leaders to make decisions with a clear-eyed perspective.
ISPA Snapshot Surveys keep the industry up to date with vital metrics – critical in the current crisis. Can you tell us more about this valuable service? Our Snapshot Surveys, which we launched in 2008 in response to the great recession, are conducted each month and typically highlight a particular topic that’s important to our members’ success and operations.
Because we conduct these surveys quickly and produce a results report for everyone who responds, just a week after the surveys close, we’re able to provide real-time feedback about the trends and experiences our spa and resource partner members are seeing day to day.
In 2020, most of our Snapshot Surveys focused on the impact of COVID-19, including surveys focused on sanitation and hygiene protocols, on spa performance and on staffing challenges.
The benefits are two-fold. Firstly, we’re able to share data that provides members with greater clarity about what’s happening in the industry and gives them an opportunity to assess their own practices in light of that information. Secondly, the survey responses allow ISPA to develop resources tailored to the needs of members, which is more critical now than ever.
What have you been doing to develop the ISPA research portfolio? We’re always looking for additional ways to support members through research and the experience we’ve gained conducting consumer surveys has allowed us to be responsive to the industry’s needs in that area as well. In April, we quickly got a consumer-focused survey into the field to equip members with a better understanding of how guests view spas in the time of COVID-19 and what they would expect when they returned to spas following pandemic-related closures. That kind of direct relevance is key.
ISPA’s Pulse magazine shares important news and educational material with members. Can you tell us more? ISPA publishes Pulse magazine ten times a year and each issue includes features on a range of important industry trends, news from around the spa world, data and research analysis and educational content.
None of this would exist without the invaluable feedback we receive through interviews, surveys, emails and conversations with our members.
We want Pulse to be an enjoyable read, of course, but we also strive to also make it a practical resource spa owners and operators can use to gain new perspectives, spark their next great idea and improve their spas.
Engaging with members is essential to making that kind of tool a reality. We’re also excited to have recently launched the Pulse app, which is available for iOS and Android. The latest digital edition of Pulse lands on the app each month, giving members convenient access to the entire issue on their mobile phones or tablets.
With the magazine also returning to print in 2021, there will be more ways than ever to see what’s happening in the world of spa and discover new innovations.
Pulse magazine is the voice of ISPA and is published ten times a year
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2020 issue 4
Editor's letter: Nurturing mental health
It’s time for spas re-evaluate their mental wellness approach to help governments and society to tackle the escalating mental health crisis says Katie Barnes
Spa people: Dr Narinthorn Surasinthon
RAKxa Jai, a cutting-edge medi-wellness spa, has opened in partnership with Bumrungrad International Hospital and Minor Hotels in Bangkok. Spa Business talks to its COO
Spa people: Isabelle Duchesneau
The executive director of Québec's Le Monastère Augustines explains why its priority of serving caretakers is more relevant today than ever
Spa people: Michael Banissy
The world's largest study on touch uncovers the role it plays in our health and wellbeing. Spa Business talks to the lead researcher
Interview: Krip Rojanastien
Chiva-Som’s CEO talks to Spa Business magazine about guiding the destination spa through COVID-19 and its first contract management project in Qatar
Ask an expert: Corridors of power
What will it take to make politicians realise the value of spas? Spa Business magazine asks those in government and others who’ve made inroads
Promotion: Artofcryo: Cold Calling
Artofcryo.com aims to offer the best whole-body cryotherapy chambers as well as a complete, reliable and effective solution for operators and results for guests
Promotion: ISPA: Lead, inform, inspire
Lead, Inform, Inspire. It’s been quite a year for ISPA, with its firm commitment to supporting members through the pandemic, as president, Lynne McNees explains
Interview: Mark Hennebry
Ensana’s chair tells Spa Business magazine about its landmark development, Buxton Crescent, one of the only genuine spa hotels in the UK
Promotion: Lemi: Creating the dream team
This year leading Italian supplier Lemi launched three new spa solutions, and ventured into the creation of signature treatments for the first time. General manager Matteo Brusaferri explains why he sees this as the way forward to help spas maximise their investment
Interview: Luisa Anderson
A Longevity Garden and inner healing room are just two of the extra special features at the new Healing Village Spa at Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay, Bali, says its regional spa director
Promotion: Biologique Recherche
Skincare specialist, Biologique Recherche, is using its knowledge of chronobiology to create new approaches to skincare which yield powerful results
Event review: Global Wellness Summit 2020
This year’s Global Wellness Summit saw two US surgeon generals, leading spa stakeholders and wellness professionals look towards the role they have to play following the global pandemic. Spa Business magazine gives its highlights
Research: Matter of minds
A new study is the first to define and put a value on the global mental wellness industry – estimating it to be worth US$121bn. But what does this mean for spas?
Sponsored briefing: Starpool: Cargo-tecture
During lockdown, Riccardo Turri, CEO of Starpool, was inspired to create a whole new category of product, based on recycled containers. The result is the new i.con spa brand, which fuses luxury, wellness, recycling and design
Software: All booked up
Spa software suppliers take a look at 'big data' to reveal the booking trends they’ve seen since spas have reopened
Promotion: Voya: supporting spa partners
Jessica Anhold, Voya’s head of global sales and marketing, talks community in a time of crisis and how the company is supporting its spa partners
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...]
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ISPA research highlights issues, challenges and solutions in spa training / andresr/iStock
ISPA is the source of some of the most useful spa industry research in the world today. Can you tell us more about it? ISPA’s spa and wellness research efforts, which have been ongoing for 30 years, are central to so much of what we do.
The research we produce supports members in understanding the state of the industry, by providing them with crucial context and business insight.
Our major research initiatives – the annual ISPA US Spa Industry Study and the consumer research we conduct with PricewaterhouseCoopers – are supported by the ISPA Foundation.
The annual US industry study is useful in different ways to different spa operators. When you consider that it includes everything from performance indicators and financial figures to information about industry trends – including retail, treatments, the workforce, technology, etc – you can see that the actionable data it contains allows spa leaders to make decisions with a clear-eyed perspective.
ISPA Snapshot Surveys keep the industry up to date with vital metrics – critical in the current crisis. Can you tell us more about this valuable service? Our Snapshot Surveys, which we launched in 2008 in response to the great recession, are conducted each month and typically highlight a particular topic that’s important to our members’ success and operations.
Because we conduct these surveys quickly and produce a results report for everyone who responds, just a week after the surveys close, we’re able to provide real-time feedback about the trends and experiences our spa and resource partner members are seeing day to day.
In 2020, most of our Snapshot Surveys focused on the impact of COVID-19, including surveys focused on sanitation and hygiene protocols, on spa performance and on staffing challenges.
The benefits are two-fold. Firstly, we’re able to share data that provides members with greater clarity about what’s happening in the industry and gives them an opportunity to assess their own practices in light of that information. Secondly, the survey responses allow ISPA to develop resources tailored to the needs of members, which is more critical now than ever.
What have you been doing to develop the ISPA research portfolio? We’re always looking for additional ways to support members through research and the experience we’ve gained conducting consumer surveys has allowed us to be responsive to the industry’s needs in that area as well. In April, we quickly got a consumer-focused survey into the field to equip members with a better understanding of how guests view spas in the time of COVID-19 and what they would expect when they returned to spas following pandemic-related closures. That kind of direct relevance is key.
ISPA’s Pulse magazine shares important news and educational material with members. Can you tell us more? ISPA publishes Pulse magazine ten times a year and each issue includes features on a range of important industry trends, news from around the spa world, data and research analysis and educational content.
None of this would exist without the invaluable feedback we receive through interviews, surveys, emails and conversations with our members.
We want Pulse to be an enjoyable read, of course, but we also strive to also make it a practical resource spa owners and operators can use to gain new perspectives, spark their next great idea and improve their spas.
Engaging with members is essential to making that kind of tool a reality. We’re also excited to have recently launched the Pulse app, which is available for iOS and Android. The latest digital edition of Pulse lands on the app each month, giving members convenient access to the entire issue on their mobile phones or tablets.
With the magazine also returning to print in 2021, there will be more ways than ever to see what’s happening in the world of spa and discover new innovations.
Pulse magazine is the voice of ISPA and is published ten times a year
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2020 issue 4
Editor's letter: Nurturing mental health
It’s time for spas re-evaluate their mental wellness approach to help governments and society to tackle the escalating mental health crisis says Katie Barnes
Spa people: Dr Narinthorn Surasinthon
RAKxa Jai, a cutting-edge medi-wellness spa, has opened in partnership with Bumrungrad International Hospital and Minor Hotels in Bangkok. Spa Business talks to its COO
Spa people: Isabelle Duchesneau
The executive director of Québec's Le Monastère Augustines explains why its priority of serving caretakers is more relevant today than ever
Spa people: Michael Banissy
The world's largest study on touch uncovers the role it plays in our health and wellbeing. Spa Business talks to the lead researcher
Interview: Krip Rojanastien
Chiva-Som’s CEO talks to Spa Business magazine about guiding the destination spa through COVID-19 and its first contract management project in Qatar
Ask an expert: Corridors of power
What will it take to make politicians realise the value of spas? Spa Business magazine asks those in government and others who’ve made inroads
Promotion: Artofcryo: Cold Calling
Artofcryo.com aims to offer the best whole-body cryotherapy chambers as well as a complete, reliable and effective solution for operators and results for guests
Promotion: ISPA: Lead, inform, inspire
Lead, Inform, Inspire. It’s been quite a year for ISPA, with its firm commitment to supporting members through the pandemic, as president, Lynne McNees explains
Interview: Mark Hennebry
Ensana’s chair tells Spa Business magazine about its landmark development, Buxton Crescent, one of the only genuine spa hotels in the UK
Promotion: Lemi: Creating the dream team
This year leading Italian supplier Lemi launched three new spa solutions, and ventured into the creation of signature treatments for the first time. General manager Matteo Brusaferri explains why he sees this as the way forward to help spas maximise their investment
Interview: Luisa Anderson
A Longevity Garden and inner healing room are just two of the extra special features at the new Healing Village Spa at Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay, Bali, says its regional spa director
Promotion: Biologique Recherche
Skincare specialist, Biologique Recherche, is using its knowledge of chronobiology to create new approaches to skincare which yield powerful results
Event review: Global Wellness Summit 2020
This year’s Global Wellness Summit saw two US surgeon generals, leading spa stakeholders and wellness professionals look towards the role they have to play following the global pandemic. Spa Business magazine gives its highlights
Research: Matter of minds
A new study is the first to define and put a value on the global mental wellness industry – estimating it to be worth US$121bn. But what does this mean for spas?
Sponsored briefing: Starpool: Cargo-tecture
During lockdown, Riccardo Turri, CEO of Starpool, was inspired to create a whole new category of product, based on recycled containers. The result is the new i.con spa brand, which fuses luxury, wellness, recycling and design
Software: All booked up
Spa software suppliers take a look at 'big data' to reveal the booking trends they’ve seen since spas have reopened
Promotion: Voya: supporting spa partners
Jessica Anhold, Voya’s head of global sales and marketing, talks community in a time of crisis and how the company is supporting its spa partners
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
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.
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...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
TechnoAlpin Indoor TechnoAlpin is the world leader for snowmaking systems. With the Indoor snow division, TechnoAlpin c [more...]
