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
In today’s premium spa environment, every detail shapes the guest experience – right down to
the softness of towels and the freshness of linens. [more...]
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
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.
In today’s premium spa environment, every detail shapes the guest experience – right down to
the softness of towels and the freshness of linens. [more...]
