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
TLee Spas and Wellness has revealed the design concept for a high-tech spa with body
mapping scanners to improve public health, for AI company Midjourney.
Ameyalli, the 78-acre wellbeing resort and residential community in Midway in Utah, US, has
broken ground on phase two of the hot spring development – the Ameyalli Resort and Spa –
which is due to open in 2028.
Gran Hotel Taoro in northern Tenerife, Spain, has completed the final phase of its three-year
renovation with the debut of its Sandára Wellness Centre.
Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa, the spa business with more than 650 locations across
the US and Canada, has appointed franchise expert Carrie Walsh as CEO as the company plans
to expand.
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.
