Jeremy McCarthy, Mandarin Oriental
/ photo: Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
How has the industry evolved? The biggest change I’ve observed is the rise of awareness around mental wellbeing. I came to the spa industry with an academic background in psychology and was always thinking about the psychological and emotional impact of the spa experience. But it’s only in the last 15 years or so, as a consequence of our deepening relationship with technology, the increasing pace of change and the gradual erosion of traditional family and social networks, that mental wellbeing has taken a prominent place in the minds of consumers.
What do you wish had been invented? In college, over 30 years ago, I had a chance to try one of the first experimental virtual reality systems. I was excited about what this technology could do, but it’s now three decades later and I’ve not really seen a wellbeing application of VR that’s taken off.
What will have the biggest impact on spas? Technology will continue to be the largest disruptor of human wellbeing – interfering with sleep, relationships, safety, work-life balance, physical movement and mindfulness. As that continues, the need and demand for quintessentially non-digital experiences will also grow.
Spas play an important role in the age of technology, giving people a place to disconnect, indulge in silence and receive touch and nurturing interactions with caring human beings. The increasing scarcity of these kinds of experiences makes them luxuries of the modern era.
What’s your hope for the industry? I’m a big believer in the timeless aspects of spas so I’d say the spa of the future should look much like the spas of the past – a place that’s soothing and serves as an escape from the stresses of daily life, a multisensory experience. It will be somewhere that offers therapeutic modalities using heat, water and other natural elements, that provides a sense of slowness enabling guests to regather energy and that has nurturing, empathetic healers who guide people on their own path to wholeness.
Birthday message to Spa Business
"Spa Business is an incredible resource. I turn to it again and again for ideas, education and inspiration"
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
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to
our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
Jeremy McCarthy, Mandarin Oriental
/ photo: Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
How has the industry evolved? The biggest change I’ve observed is the rise of awareness around mental wellbeing. I came to the spa industry with an academic background in psychology and was always thinking about the psychological and emotional impact of the spa experience. But it’s only in the last 15 years or so, as a consequence of our deepening relationship with technology, the increasing pace of change and the gradual erosion of traditional family and social networks, that mental wellbeing has taken a prominent place in the minds of consumers.
What do you wish had been invented? In college, over 30 years ago, I had a chance to try one of the first experimental virtual reality systems. I was excited about what this technology could do, but it’s now three decades later and I’ve not really seen a wellbeing application of VR that’s taken off.
What will have the biggest impact on spas? Technology will continue to be the largest disruptor of human wellbeing – interfering with sleep, relationships, safety, work-life balance, physical movement and mindfulness. As that continues, the need and demand for quintessentially non-digital experiences will also grow.
Spas play an important role in the age of technology, giving people a place to disconnect, indulge in silence and receive touch and nurturing interactions with caring human beings. The increasing scarcity of these kinds of experiences makes them luxuries of the modern era.
What’s your hope for the industry? I’m a big believer in the timeless aspects of spas so I’d say the spa of the future should look much like the spas of the past – a place that’s soothing and serves as an escape from the stresses of daily life, a multisensory experience. It will be somewhere that offers therapeutic modalities using heat, water and other natural elements, that provides a sense of slowness enabling guests to regather energy and that has nurturing, empathetic healers who guide people on their own path to wholeness.
Birthday message to Spa Business
"Spa Business is an incredible resource. I turn to it again and again for ideas, education and inspiration"
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.
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to
our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
