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Andrew Gibson
Andrew Gibson Advisory
/ Andrew Gibson
What key innovations can you identify in the last 20 years? While innovation has been a vital element of our industry’s development, I believe the real growth and maturation of our sector is the result of global collaboration by a dedicated group of passionate leaders who wanted to elevate the industry into a serious and relevant contributor to personal and societal health.
Organisations have been created that are able to set standards and get recognition from the relevant authorities. Global networks, aided by industry media, have released valuable market research. Scientific evidence showing the efficacy of modalities enables society to trust our practitioners and for us to evaluate our offerings, moving beyond gimmicks and questionable claims to credible experiences. Today the spa industry is also supported with training, careers and a network that encourages innovation.
Who have been the biggest influencers? Susie Ellis and the board behind the Global Spa Summit (now GWS) which was formed in 2007; Belgin Aksoy who spearheads Global Wellness Day; Deborah Szekely who’s inspired so many careers and projects around the world; and the International Spa Association with its annual US Spa Industry Study and valuable support network.
From a personal perspective, I also recognise the leaders of global hotel companies who believed in wellness 20 years ago – Sonu Shivdasani at Six Senses; KP Ho from Banyan Tree and Edouard Ettedgui at Mandarin Oriental – because they paved the way for the expansion of spas into hotels.
What’s holding the industry back? We’re not effectively demonstrating the true value of hotel spas because we don’t have the data to prove suppositions.
Properties are still measuring the success of a spa on the departmental P&L with little statistical evidence that facilities contribute anything more. Most spas are still considered a necessary burden and since COVID, some are questioning the validity of a manned facility at all.
We’ve collectively failed to prove that a good spa and skilled therapists improve the average length of stay, repeat business and increase total guest spend. With more success in this area, we’d certainly attract more investors, innovators and leaders.
Birthday message to Spa Business
"With a reputation for unbiased factual reporting, a global network that keeps us informed and an engaging style, Spa Business is one of the most influential reads for anyone wanting to understand our business"
More from spa industry leaders...
In celebration of Spa Business’ 20th anniversary, industry leaders take a look at how far the sector has come since the magazine’s inception in 2003, share personal career highlights and reveal their plans and ideas for the future.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2023 issue 3
Editor's letter: Reflection point
As Spa Business celebrates its 20th birthday, Katie Barnes pauses for thought and rejoices in the industry’s evolution
Spa People: 20th anniversary issue: Anna Bjurstam
The strategic senior advisor at Six Senses and Raison d'Etre on being initiated as a shaman, why psychedelics are here to stay and her bigger fear for the global spa industry
Promotion: Klafs: Relax into wellbeing
Klafs and Studio F. A. Porsche have combined their design and wellness expertise to create an oasis for total-body relaxation
News report: Eastern promise
Japan’s spa industry is valued at US$4.2 billion and is part of the world's third highest-performing wellness economy
Jeremy McCarthy: Theory of evolution
From spa to wellness and now leisure – Spa Business’ contributing editor looks at where hospitality experiences are heading
Promotion: Lemi: Built to last
Lemi is committed to leading with innovation to create
cutting-edge treatment room solutions that excel
in terms of performance and eco-credentials
Promotion: G.M. COLLIN: Collagen pioneers
GM Collin’s expertise in collagen research and product formulation has resulted in the creation of a new serum that combats age-related skin degeneration
Promotion: Comfort Zone: A brighter future
Consumers are increasingly interested in reducing dark spots and hyperpigmentation and a new line from Comfort Zone has been launched to address this emerging need
Promotion: Art of Cryo: Life changing experience
Vikki and Robbie are often exhausted after work. A visit to the spa to experience
the Art of Cryo Tech-Spa Module is a chance to re-set and rejuvenate together
The MSpa Oslo series is a perennial bestseller in global markets. With innovative
engineering and premium performance, this completely portable spa line-up is expertly
designed to meet the needs of customers worldwide. [more...]
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Beautylizer
Beautylizer brings
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Myrtha Wellness
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Andrew Gibson
Andrew Gibson Advisory
/ Andrew Gibson
What key innovations can you identify in the last 20 years? While innovation has been a vital element of our industry’s development, I believe the real growth and maturation of our sector is the result of global collaboration by a dedicated group of passionate leaders who wanted to elevate the industry into a serious and relevant contributor to personal and societal health.
Organisations have been created that are able to set standards and get recognition from the relevant authorities. Global networks, aided by industry media, have released valuable market research. Scientific evidence showing the efficacy of modalities enables society to trust our practitioners and for us to evaluate our offerings, moving beyond gimmicks and questionable claims to credible experiences. Today the spa industry is also supported with training, careers and a network that encourages innovation.
Who have been the biggest influencers? Susie Ellis and the board behind the Global Spa Summit (now GWS) which was formed in 2007; Belgin Aksoy who spearheads Global Wellness Day; Deborah Szekely who’s inspired so many careers and projects around the world; and the International Spa Association with its annual US Spa Industry Study and valuable support network.
From a personal perspective, I also recognise the leaders of global hotel companies who believed in wellness 20 years ago – Sonu Shivdasani at Six Senses; KP Ho from Banyan Tree and Edouard Ettedgui at Mandarin Oriental – because they paved the way for the expansion of spas into hotels.
What’s holding the industry back? We’re not effectively demonstrating the true value of hotel spas because we don’t have the data to prove suppositions.
Properties are still measuring the success of a spa on the departmental P&L with little statistical evidence that facilities contribute anything more. Most spas are still considered a necessary burden and since COVID, some are questioning the validity of a manned facility at all.
We’ve collectively failed to prove that a good spa and skilled therapists improve the average length of stay, repeat business and increase total guest spend. With more success in this area, we’d certainly attract more investors, innovators and leaders.
Birthday message to Spa Business
"With a reputation for unbiased factual reporting, a global network that keeps us informed and an engaging style, Spa Business is one of the most influential reads for anyone wanting to understand our business"
More from spa industry leaders...
In celebration of Spa Business’ 20th anniversary, industry leaders take a look at how far the sector has come since the magazine’s inception in 2003, share personal career highlights and reveal their plans and ideas for the future.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2023 issue 3
Editor's letter: Reflection point
As Spa Business celebrates its 20th birthday, Katie Barnes pauses for thought and rejoices in the industry’s evolution
Spa People: 20th anniversary issue: Anna Bjurstam
The strategic senior advisor at Six Senses and Raison d'Etre on being initiated as a shaman, why psychedelics are here to stay and her bigger fear for the global spa industry
Promotion: Klafs: Relax into wellbeing
Klafs and Studio F. A. Porsche have combined their design and wellness expertise to create an oasis for total-body relaxation
News report: Eastern promise
Japan’s spa industry is valued at US$4.2 billion and is part of the world's third highest-performing wellness economy
Jeremy McCarthy: Theory of evolution
From spa to wellness and now leisure – Spa Business’ contributing editor looks at where hospitality experiences are heading
Promotion: Lemi: Built to last
Lemi is committed to leading with innovation to create
cutting-edge treatment room solutions that excel
in terms of performance and eco-credentials
Promotion: G.M. COLLIN: Collagen pioneers
GM Collin’s expertise in collagen research and product formulation has resulted in the creation of a new serum that combats age-related skin degeneration
Promotion: Comfort Zone: A brighter future
Consumers are increasingly interested in reducing dark spots and hyperpigmentation and a new line from Comfort Zone has been launched to address this emerging need
Promotion: Art of Cryo: Life changing experience
Vikki and Robbie are often exhausted after work. A visit to the spa to experience
the Art of Cryo Tech-Spa Module is a chance to re-set and rejuvenate together
Synergy – The Retreat Show, the global trade show for retreats, has launched a global research
initiative that will provide insights into the retreat sector from both consumer and industry
perspectives.
The Wellness Tourism Association (WTA) has published a non-regulatory global industry
framework designed to ensure the retreat market offers responsible experiences.
A new survey of UK and international spa practitioners shows that stress, burnout and
wellbeing concerns have caused one in three respondents to consider leaving the industry.
The UK's four Chief Medical Officers have published a refreshed edition of Physical activity
guidelines: UK Chief Medical Officers' report, updating the evidence that underpins the nation's
physical activity recommendations and placing greater emphasis on strength, balance, reducing
sedentary behaviour and, for the first time, supporting people taking weight loss medications.
Anna Bjurstam has left her role as Wellness Pioneer at Six Senses Hotels and Resorts and
launched a new wellness, longevity and “consciousness consultancy” called Wahayla.
Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere, has opened today (10 July) in the Northwest of England
with a
1,715sq m Fairmont Spa that has been designed using a ‘Wellness without Walls’
concept.
Wellness hotels generating less than US$1 million (€932,700, £785,200) – or 10 per cent of
total revenue from wellness and leisure – recorded the strongest RevPAR and TRevPAR growth
in 2025 across categories when compared with 2024, according to the latest Wellness Real
Estate Report by RLA Global, produced in partnership with P and L benchmarking firm HotStats.
Lefay Resorts, the portfolio of two luxury wellness properties in Italy, has added emotional
dance classes and group cold plunge sessions in response to market demand for social
connection.
The MSpa Oslo series is a perennial bestseller in global markets. With innovative
engineering and premium performance, this completely portable spa line-up is expertly
designed to meet the needs of customers worldwide. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Beautylizer Beautylizer brings
its deep aesthetic expertise and
strong R&D focus to holistic wellness,
offeri [more...]
