ISPA’s latest US industry study paints a positive picture for the future of US
spas, with the market showing strong signs of recovery, finds Megan Whitby
Spas across the US generated US$18.1bn (€17.2bn, £14.4bn) in revenues in 2021, marking an almost 50 per cent increase when compared to 2020 (US$12.1bn, €11.5bn, £9.7bn).
This is according to data from the 2022 US Spa Industry Study, conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) on behalf of the International Spa Association (ISPA).
The report, which is published annually, details overall revenue, number of spa visits, number of spas, revenue per visit and total employees for the US spa industry in 2021.
Findings signal encouraging news for market recovery, indicating revenue has nearly returned to 2019, pre-pandemic levels – US$19.1bn (€18.1n, £15.3bn) – an all-time high for the industry.
“We’re thrilled to report strong signs of recovery for our industry,” said ISPA president Lynne McNees. “We’re confident this positive trend will continue and we look forward to seeing how members use this new industry and consumer data to further elevate the industry.”
Visits and revenues up The 2022 report also found spa visits increased by nearly 40 per cent – shifting from 124 million in 2020 to 173 million in 2021. Revenue per visit received a boost too, jumping from US$97.50 (€92.65, £77.77) to US$104.50 (€99.30, £83.35), indicating a seven per cent rise.
The total number of employees rose 13.2 per cent from 304,800 in 2020 to 345,000 in 2021. ISPA splits this into full-time (162,800), part-time (167,100) and contracted staff (15,100) – which had declined slightly by 0.7%.
As of January 2022, 21,510 spas were recorded, compared to 21,560 in 2021*, which indicates a 0.2 per cent fall, but includes locations temporarily closed.
“This year’s study indicates a significant bounceback from the depths of the pandemic in 2020,” said Colin Mcilheney, global research leader at PwC. “The overall revenue growth, substantial increase in visits and sharp rise in revenue-per-visit are particularly encouraging as the industry continues its recovery.”
ISPA’s US Spa Industry Study has been published annually since 1999 and the latest edition saw responses from 2,300 spas. The study was unveiled at ISPA’s Conference & Expo in May at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. The association is set to release its full findings in July 2022.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2022 issue 2
Editor's letter: The wellness metaverse
We’re being handed a powerful new tool that will become a channel for creativity and innovation – pioneering wellness operators are already getting to grips with its exciting potential
Spa People: Michael Stusser
The wellness pioneer explains how he created an authentic Japanese bathing experience in the heart of the California hills
Spa People: Scot Toon
The Asia MD of The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts unveils the company's latest island development plans
Project preview: Off-grid
Svart Six Senses is set to open in Norway in 2024, and redefine the meaning of sustainable wellness tourism and regenerative travel
Sponsored: Myrtha Wellness: watertight expertise
Myrtha has transformed the world of aquatics over the last 60 years. Now it’s bringing its ingenuity-driven expertise to the international wellness industry
Interview: Rainer Usselmann
Tech business Happy Finish is bringing metaverse-based experiences to the wellness sector, working with Wund
Everyone's talking about: Menopause
From taboo to hot topic – how can spas offer treatments and a safe space for women to explore this often challenging phase of life?
Research: Bounceback
PwC says the US spa market was worth US$1bn in 2021 and growing well, according to data from ISPA's latest industry-wide study
First person: An icon reborn
Fairmont unveils the stunning renovation of its iconic Century Plaza hotel in LA, and Rianna Riego checks out the new spa
Q&A: Magdaleena Nikolov
The GM of spa, wellness and retail at Fairmont
Century Plaza talks to Jane Kitchen
Q&A: Mia Kyricos
The wellness leader talks about the creation of her new trademarked framework for the development and delivery of wellness interventions
Sponsored: Art of Cryo: raising the bar
Art of Cryo is complementing its high
performance cryotherapy range with advanced
new technology to enhance treatment benefits
Mystery Shopper: The Londoner
Our reviewer travels undercover to check out the spa offering at The Londoner – one of the most high profile openings in the capital in recent times
ISPA’s latest US industry study paints a positive picture for the future of US
spas, with the market showing strong signs of recovery, finds Megan Whitby
Spas across the US generated US$18.1bn (€17.2bn, £14.4bn) in revenues in 2021, marking an almost 50 per cent increase when compared to 2020 (US$12.1bn, €11.5bn, £9.7bn).
This is according to data from the 2022 US Spa Industry Study, conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) on behalf of the International Spa Association (ISPA).
The report, which is published annually, details overall revenue, number of spa visits, number of spas, revenue per visit and total employees for the US spa industry in 2021.
Findings signal encouraging news for market recovery, indicating revenue has nearly returned to 2019, pre-pandemic levels – US$19.1bn (€18.1n, £15.3bn) – an all-time high for the industry.
“We’re thrilled to report strong signs of recovery for our industry,” said ISPA president Lynne McNees. “We’re confident this positive trend will continue and we look forward to seeing how members use this new industry and consumer data to further elevate the industry.”
Visits and revenues up The 2022 report also found spa visits increased by nearly 40 per cent – shifting from 124 million in 2020 to 173 million in 2021. Revenue per visit received a boost too, jumping from US$97.50 (€92.65, £77.77) to US$104.50 (€99.30, £83.35), indicating a seven per cent rise.
The total number of employees rose 13.2 per cent from 304,800 in 2020 to 345,000 in 2021. ISPA splits this into full-time (162,800), part-time (167,100) and contracted staff (15,100) – which had declined slightly by 0.7%.
As of January 2022, 21,510 spas were recorded, compared to 21,560 in 2021*, which indicates a 0.2 per cent fall, but includes locations temporarily closed.
“This year’s study indicates a significant bounceback from the depths of the pandemic in 2020,” said Colin Mcilheney, global research leader at PwC. “The overall revenue growth, substantial increase in visits and sharp rise in revenue-per-visit are particularly encouraging as the industry continues its recovery.”
ISPA’s US Spa Industry Study has been published annually since 1999 and the latest edition saw responses from 2,300 spas. The study was unveiled at ISPA’s Conference & Expo in May at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. The association is set to release its full findings in July 2022.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2022 issue 2
Editor's letter: The wellness metaverse
We’re being handed a powerful new tool that will become a channel for creativity and innovation – pioneering wellness operators are already getting to grips with its exciting potential
Spa People: Michael Stusser
The wellness pioneer explains how he created an authentic Japanese bathing experience in the heart of the California hills
Spa People: Scot Toon
The Asia MD of The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts unveils the company's latest island development plans
Project preview: Off-grid
Svart Six Senses is set to open in Norway in 2024, and redefine the meaning of sustainable wellness tourism and regenerative travel
Sponsored: Myrtha Wellness: watertight expertise
Myrtha has transformed the world of aquatics over the last 60 years. Now it’s bringing its ingenuity-driven expertise to the international wellness industry
Interview: Rainer Usselmann
Tech business Happy Finish is bringing metaverse-based experiences to the wellness sector, working with Wund
Everyone's talking about: Menopause
From taboo to hot topic – how can spas offer treatments and a safe space for women to explore this often challenging phase of life?
Research: Bounceback
PwC says the US spa market was worth US$1bn in 2021 and growing well, according to data from ISPA's latest industry-wide study
First person: An icon reborn
Fairmont unveils the stunning renovation of its iconic Century Plaza hotel in LA, and Rianna Riego checks out the new spa
Q&A: Magdaleena Nikolov
The GM of spa, wellness and retail at Fairmont
Century Plaza talks to Jane Kitchen
Q&A: Mia Kyricos
The wellness leader talks about the creation of her new trademarked framework for the development and delivery of wellness interventions
Sponsored: Art of Cryo: raising the bar
Art of Cryo is complementing its high
performance cryotherapy range with advanced
new technology to enhance treatment benefits
Mystery Shopper: The Londoner
Our reviewer travels undercover to check out the spa offering at The Londoner – one of the most high profile openings in the capital in recent times
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.
