What are your pivotal career moments? Failures are valuable lessons. For me, a sleep crisis at a tumultuous time led me to Rishikesh, India, to learn to meditate. That led to a silent retreat, which in turn opened the door to a new passion for wellbeing and writing a column in the Financial Times called Spa Junkie. I realised my dreams and have been in the industry for more than 15 years.
What industry innovations can you identify? The greatest period of innovation is upon us, we are living it. Testing and diagnostic tools enable us to truly customise experiences. At-home testing, such as glucose trackers, will lead to more targeted and effective aftercare and create deeper, longer-term relationships between spas and clients.
There’s no denying the impact AI chatbots will have. However, I’m most excited about AI-assisted data analysis and screening in preventative health.
Plant medicine, including the use of psilocybin and ayahuasca, is becoming mainstream. Although still in the early stages of research and regulation, they show promise in addressing mental health challenges and promoting overall wellbeing.
What business models are the most exciting? We’re seeing great success with fast beauty franchises and have started rolling out FaceGym in hotels worldwide.
On the other side of the coin, we’re co-designing human optimisation centres with some of the biggest scientists and innovators in the space. We’re taking age reversal technologies and longevity protocols and plugging them into uber high-end wellbeing clubs and hotel suites.
What do you still hope to accomplish? I’m very excited about our new own-brand skincare, bodycare and hotel amenity division.
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
What are your pivotal career moments? Failures are valuable lessons. For me, a sleep crisis at a tumultuous time led me to Rishikesh, India, to learn to meditate. That led to a silent retreat, which in turn opened the door to a new passion for wellbeing and writing a column in the Financial Times called Spa Junkie. I realised my dreams and have been in the industry for more than 15 years.
What industry innovations can you identify? The greatest period of innovation is upon us, we are living it. Testing and diagnostic tools enable us to truly customise experiences. At-home testing, such as glucose trackers, will lead to more targeted and effective aftercare and create deeper, longer-term relationships between spas and clients.
There’s no denying the impact AI chatbots will have. However, I’m most excited about AI-assisted data analysis and screening in preventative health.
Plant medicine, including the use of psilocybin and ayahuasca, is becoming mainstream. Although still in the early stages of research and regulation, they show promise in addressing mental health challenges and promoting overall wellbeing.
What business models are the most exciting? We’re seeing great success with fast beauty franchises and have started rolling out FaceGym in hotels worldwide.
On the other side of the coin, we’re co-designing human optimisation centres with some of the biggest scientists and innovators in the space. We’re taking age reversal technologies and longevity protocols and plugging them into uber high-end wellbeing clubs and hotel suites.
What do you still hope to accomplish? I’m very excited about our new own-brand skincare, bodycare and hotel amenity division.
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
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.
