Kenneth Ryan, Marriott International
/ photo: Marriott International
What key industry innovations can you identify? Technology. Most notably, spa software systems, which are the heartbeat of operations. Around 10 years ago we started to see advancements in spa technology including the introduction of online booking. Initially, this was received with resistance but today it’s become mainstream. All Marriott spas offer it and see upwards of 40 per cent of their appointments made online. Many spas now also have mobile apps to engage with their members.
In addition, spas are now using data analytics to track guest demographics, spending habits, treatment preferences and feedback. This information helps them make informed decisions about everything from marketing and hyper-personalised experiences, to yield pricing.
In the future, AI will play a significant role – automating administrative tasks, advancing customer service and even delivering treatments autonomously. Spas must be prepared to adopt these innovations and be more open to change. At the same time, it’s our responsibility to safeguard the personalised, high-touch wellness experiences our customers expect.
What’s going to impact spas the most? Over the next two decades, kids and young adults will be the driving force behind the global growth of spa and wellness. Younger generations are known to be trendsetters and highly influential across multi-generations.
I’m encouraged by the increasing rise of wellness among our youth and engagement on multiple fronts, including schools. From starting the day with mindful moments, incorporating social and emotional learning alongside academics and promoting both physical and mental health, we see strong signals that wellness will be deeply embedded in our youth. Especially as it continues onto higher education with colleges investing in wellness facilities and services too.
In my 20 years in the industry, I’ve never seen such a high level of awareness, interest and demand for what we do. I believe this is only the beginning for us, as the next generation will demand wellness in all forms and spas will play a significant role.
What’s the most radical change you foresee? Preventive medicine is undeniably the future and spas will be critical in this transformative journey.
Already, medical breakthroughs are revolutionising preventative care and early detection of health issues, promising to enhance our quality of life and longevity.
What makes this shift even more remarkable is that many of these cutting-edge medical treatments are most effective when integrated with the wellness services spas offer.
As our services are increasingly recognised as legitimate and potent forms of preventive medicine, spas will swiftly transition from being perceived solely as a luxury amenity to an investment in one’s wellbeing.
With this in mind, our services are steadily gaining acceptance within the healthcare system, extending to medical insurance. This pivotal development not only fosters greater accessibility to spa treatments but also ignites a surge in demand, signifying an incredibly promising future.
"Spa Business plays a crucial role in the ongoing success of our sector.
"Over the past 20 years, it has covered every major event, serving as a historical archive of the industry.
"Sharing and collaboration help us all become the best we can and I’m proud to be a part of this spa and wellness family."
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
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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
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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...]
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...]
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Lovinfit Group
Lovinfit Group was founded in Parma, Italy in 2016 by a team of doctors, wellness and sports profess [more...]
UK Spa Association
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Kenneth Ryan, Marriott International
/ photo: Marriott International
What key industry innovations can you identify? Technology. Most notably, spa software systems, which are the heartbeat of operations. Around 10 years ago we started to see advancements in spa technology including the introduction of online booking. Initially, this was received with resistance but today it’s become mainstream. All Marriott spas offer it and see upwards of 40 per cent of their appointments made online. Many spas now also have mobile apps to engage with their members.
In addition, spas are now using data analytics to track guest demographics, spending habits, treatment preferences and feedback. This information helps them make informed decisions about everything from marketing and hyper-personalised experiences, to yield pricing.
In the future, AI will play a significant role – automating administrative tasks, advancing customer service and even delivering treatments autonomously. Spas must be prepared to adopt these innovations and be more open to change. At the same time, it’s our responsibility to safeguard the personalised, high-touch wellness experiences our customers expect.
What’s going to impact spas the most? Over the next two decades, kids and young adults will be the driving force behind the global growth of spa and wellness. Younger generations are known to be trendsetters and highly influential across multi-generations.
I’m encouraged by the increasing rise of wellness among our youth and engagement on multiple fronts, including schools. From starting the day with mindful moments, incorporating social and emotional learning alongside academics and promoting both physical and mental health, we see strong signals that wellness will be deeply embedded in our youth. Especially as it continues onto higher education with colleges investing in wellness facilities and services too.
In my 20 years in the industry, I’ve never seen such a high level of awareness, interest and demand for what we do. I believe this is only the beginning for us, as the next generation will demand wellness in all forms and spas will play a significant role.
What’s the most radical change you foresee? Preventive medicine is undeniably the future and spas will be critical in this transformative journey.
Already, medical breakthroughs are revolutionising preventative care and early detection of health issues, promising to enhance our quality of life and longevity.
What makes this shift even more remarkable is that many of these cutting-edge medical treatments are most effective when integrated with the wellness services spas offer.
As our services are increasingly recognised as legitimate and potent forms of preventive medicine, spas will swiftly transition from being perceived solely as a luxury amenity to an investment in one’s wellbeing.
With this in mind, our services are steadily gaining acceptance within the healthcare system, extending to medical insurance. This pivotal development not only fosters greater accessibility to spa treatments but also ignites a surge in demand, signifying an incredibly promising future.
"Spa Business plays a crucial role in the ongoing success of our sector.
"Over the past 20 years, it has covered every major event, serving as a historical archive of the industry.
"Sharing and collaboration help us all become the best we can and I’m proud to be a part of this spa and wellness family."
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...]
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...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Lovinfit Group Lovinfit Group was founded in Parma, Italy in 2016 by a team of doctors, wellness and sports profess [more...]
