Kira and Mark Walton have built their business around the power of seaweed
Why is VOYA expanding into supplements? The launch of the Sea Ór range of supplements was driven by science. There’s no plant on the planet which has such a varied level of minerals, vitamins and active compounds as seaweed.
At VOYA, our knowledge of this power is transferable – there are many synergies between skincare and supplements, and they marry well from a commercial perspective for operators.
There’s a growing understanding by consumers that wellness is driven from the inside out, as well as from the outside in and that high-end supplementation can underpin health.
What was the inspirationfor the new brand? We’ve been heavily involved in seaweed R&D for a long time.
We work regularly with three universities isolating skincare compounds that are functional and beneficial.
Rather serendipitously, in developing our skincare line, we’ve also uncovered a lot of useful information that’s been beneficial in developing our range of supplements.
With whom did you work on the formulations? A number of technical partners – in particular the University of Ulster in Ireland which performed our double-blind user trials.
Tell us about the Sea Ór supplements They offer extremely high levels of active ingredients, such as vitamins A, B, C and E, as well as probiotics, to give the maximum health benefits to the consumer. One Sea Ór supplement might negate taking two or three other brand supplements.
Each is tailored to give different results. For example, our Orplex Body supplement will support the immune system, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, supports a healthy digestive system and reduces fatigue.
Our Hair, Skin and Nails supplement supports collagen formation for healthy skin repair, while protecting against oxidative stress and promoting the growth of healthy nails and hair.
What’s the Orplex™ complex? Our patented Orplex blend forms the basis of the supplements.
It contains a mixture of super ingredients and is unique to Sea Ór.
The exact breakdown is a closely guarded secret, but it includes health ‘superheroes’ such as fucus serratus and laminaria digitata seaweeds, coenzyme Q10 and zinc.
What is the ethos of the Sea Ór brand? Functional, functional, functional. Sea Ór is very similar to VOYA, but also distinct. We’re a sustainable and environmentally-friendly brand that’s carbon neutral and uses responsible packaging.
Sea Ór has been developed to offer consumers highly effective nutritional support using organic ingredients, underpinned by science.
VOYA’s Sea Ór supplements are available online now at voya.ie and will be available in VOYA spas and retail outlets soon.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2020 issue 2
Editor’s letter: Our greatest challenge
Spa and wellness businesses will reopen while COVID-19 is still circulating in the community, meaning we have to find models which work in this new reality, says Katie Barnes. So how will this change the industry?
On the menu: Pivot to digital
Which forward-thinking spas are taking their offerings online during the coronavirus pandemic?
Interview: Mary Celeste Beall
The celebrated Blackberry Farm has opened a sister property in the mountains of Tennessee. The owner tells Spa Business why wellness through nature underpins the new destination
Everyone’s talking about: COVID-19
Spa operators, wellness companies and organisations from around the world talk to Spa Business about the impact of coronavirus and what to expect down the line
Promotion: Simone Gibertoni: Clinique La Prairie
World-renowned medical spa, Clinique La Prairie, is creating a global network of
locations to support clients with their wellbeing, every day of the year, says its CEO
Research: First responders
ISPA’s COVID-19 survey offers insights into how the industry has responded to the global pandemic. Spa Business magazine examines the findings
Hotel spa: Country life: The Newt
Karen Roos, owner of the world-renowned hotel The Newt, on design, gardens and a spa housed in an old cow barn
Insights: Calls to action
Industry leaders around the world come together in a crisis to share ideas and innovations in a series of GWS Collaboration calls. Spa Business magazine reports on the highlights
Insights: Webinar wisdom
Spa Business shares its industry-relevant takeaways from the masses of webinars that are being streamed worldwide
Research: Measure for measure
Intelligent Spas reveals its latest global spa benchmarks and explores what they mean in today’s ever-changing climate
Focus on: Extreme wellness
Spa Business tries out two boundary-pushing, cold immersion retreats led by ‘The Iceman’ Wim Hof and Dr Marc Cohen
Promotion: Barr and Wray: Creating
a seamless journey
With 60 years of experience, Barr and Wray has long been known for excellence in technical design for wellness. Design director Graeme Banks explains the company also offers interior design services
Interview: Juliu Horvath
The founder of Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis tells Spa Business why he’ll never stop adapting his famous movement modality
Promotion: ISPA publishes Reopening Toolkit
A much-needed guide by ISPA gives essential advice on business planning, standard operating procedures, marketing and communications to support spas through the coronavirus crisis
Kira and Mark Walton have built their business around the power of seaweed
Why is VOYA expanding into supplements? The launch of the Sea Ór range of supplements was driven by science. There’s no plant on the planet which has such a varied level of minerals, vitamins and active compounds as seaweed.
At VOYA, our knowledge of this power is transferable – there are many synergies between skincare and supplements, and they marry well from a commercial perspective for operators.
There’s a growing understanding by consumers that wellness is driven from the inside out, as well as from the outside in and that high-end supplementation can underpin health.
What was the inspirationfor the new brand? We’ve been heavily involved in seaweed R&D for a long time.
We work regularly with three universities isolating skincare compounds that are functional and beneficial.
Rather serendipitously, in developing our skincare line, we’ve also uncovered a lot of useful information that’s been beneficial in developing our range of supplements.
With whom did you work on the formulations? A number of technical partners – in particular the University of Ulster in Ireland which performed our double-blind user trials.
Tell us about the Sea Ór supplements They offer extremely high levels of active ingredients, such as vitamins A, B, C and E, as well as probiotics, to give the maximum health benefits to the consumer. One Sea Ór supplement might negate taking two or three other brand supplements.
Each is tailored to give different results. For example, our Orplex Body supplement will support the immune system, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, supports a healthy digestive system and reduces fatigue.
Our Hair, Skin and Nails supplement supports collagen formation for healthy skin repair, while protecting against oxidative stress and promoting the growth of healthy nails and hair.
What’s the Orplex™ complex? Our patented Orplex blend forms the basis of the supplements.
It contains a mixture of super ingredients and is unique to Sea Ór.
The exact breakdown is a closely guarded secret, but it includes health ‘superheroes’ such as fucus serratus and laminaria digitata seaweeds, coenzyme Q10 and zinc.
What is the ethos of the Sea Ór brand? Functional, functional, functional. Sea Ór is very similar to VOYA, but also distinct. We’re a sustainable and environmentally-friendly brand that’s carbon neutral and uses responsible packaging.
Sea Ór has been developed to offer consumers highly effective nutritional support using organic ingredients, underpinned by science.
VOYA’s Sea Ór supplements are available online now at voya.ie and will be available in VOYA spas and retail outlets soon.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2020 issue 2
Editor’s letter: Our greatest challenge
Spa and wellness businesses will reopen while COVID-19 is still circulating in the community, meaning we have to find models which work in this new reality, says Katie Barnes. So how will this change the industry?
On the menu: Pivot to digital
Which forward-thinking spas are taking their offerings online during the coronavirus pandemic?
Interview: Mary Celeste Beall
The celebrated Blackberry Farm has opened a sister property in the mountains of Tennessee. The owner tells Spa Business why wellness through nature underpins the new destination
Everyone’s talking about: COVID-19
Spa operators, wellness companies and organisations from around the world talk to Spa Business about the impact of coronavirus and what to expect down the line
Promotion: Simone Gibertoni: Clinique La Prairie
World-renowned medical spa, Clinique La Prairie, is creating a global network of
locations to support clients with their wellbeing, every day of the year, says its CEO
Research: First responders
ISPA’s COVID-19 survey offers insights into how the industry has responded to the global pandemic. Spa Business magazine examines the findings
Hotel spa: Country life: The Newt
Karen Roos, owner of the world-renowned hotel The Newt, on design, gardens and a spa housed in an old cow barn
Insights: Calls to action
Industry leaders around the world come together in a crisis to share ideas and innovations in a series of GWS Collaboration calls. Spa Business magazine reports on the highlights
Insights: Webinar wisdom
Spa Business shares its industry-relevant takeaways from the masses of webinars that are being streamed worldwide
Research: Measure for measure
Intelligent Spas reveals its latest global spa benchmarks and explores what they mean in today’s ever-changing climate
Focus on: Extreme wellness
Spa Business tries out two boundary-pushing, cold immersion retreats led by ‘The Iceman’ Wim Hof and Dr Marc Cohen
Promotion: Barr and Wray: Creating
a seamless journey
With 60 years of experience, Barr and Wray has long been known for excellence in technical design for wellness. Design director Graeme Banks explains the company also offers interior design services
Interview: Juliu Horvath
The founder of Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis tells Spa Business why he’ll never stop adapting his famous movement modality
Promotion: ISPA publishes Reopening Toolkit
A much-needed guide by ISPA gives essential advice on business planning, standard operating procedures, marketing and communications to support spas through the coronavirus crisis
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.
