Leo Tonkin, Salt Chamber
/ photo: Andrea_Blakesberg_photography
What’s been your most pivotal career moment? After a 35-year consultancy career steeped in organisational culture, strategy and leadership development, I started Salt Chamber at the age of 52. We all have visions, ideas and possibilities … but nothing gets done without action. There’s real power in ‘intentionally choosing’ and making things happen.
What do you still hope to accomplish? To raise awareness about respiratory wellness so individuals, communities and societies take action to impact the quality of the air we breathe and how we affect climate change.
Who will disrupt our industry the most? Technology companies such as Google, Amazon and Apple with their smart devices, wearables and health-focused applications, will have the biggest influence in the spa and wellness space. They’ll drive spas to engage with their guests, track their wellness and deliver personalised recommendations, regardless of their physical location.
Furthermore, advancements in telehealth and telemedicine will enable spas to extend their reach and provide virtual consultations and treatments.
What trends are impacting spas? Conscious consumerism will play a role as spa-goers seek authentic offerings that have integrity and are socially responsible.
There’s an increased focus on self-care and wellbeing, as well as therapies that help mental wellness – intentional music therapy, mindfulness and breathwork rituals and psychedelic retreats.
What radical changes do you foresee? The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) technologies into spa experiences. Biohacking and creating evidence-based multisensory and personalised offerings will be key.
AI will revolutionise the way spas operate. Through machine-learning algorithms, spas will be able to analyse vast amounts of customer data to truly tailor treatments. Meanwhile, AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants will enhance customer service, providing 24/7 support and customised recommendations.
Additionally, VR will play a pivotal role in transforming the spa experience. It can transport guests to breathtaking environments, enabling them to escape from their daily routines and immerse themselves in serene and rejuvenating settings. Customers will have the opportunity to explore virtual worlds and engage in guided meditations, mindfulness exercises and virtual fitness classes, all within the spa environment.
Overall, the spa of the future will be a blend of technology and human touch, offering unparalleled levels of personalisation, convenience and holistic wellness.
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
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our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
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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Leo Tonkin, Salt Chamber
/ photo: Andrea_Blakesberg_photography
What’s been your most pivotal career moment? After a 35-year consultancy career steeped in organisational culture, strategy and leadership development, I started Salt Chamber at the age of 52. We all have visions, ideas and possibilities … but nothing gets done without action. There’s real power in ‘intentionally choosing’ and making things happen.
What do you still hope to accomplish? To raise awareness about respiratory wellness so individuals, communities and societies take action to impact the quality of the air we breathe and how we affect climate change.
Who will disrupt our industry the most? Technology companies such as Google, Amazon and Apple with their smart devices, wearables and health-focused applications, will have the biggest influence in the spa and wellness space. They’ll drive spas to engage with their guests, track their wellness and deliver personalised recommendations, regardless of their physical location.
Furthermore, advancements in telehealth and telemedicine will enable spas to extend their reach and provide virtual consultations and treatments.
What trends are impacting spas? Conscious consumerism will play a role as spa-goers seek authentic offerings that have integrity and are socially responsible.
There’s an increased focus on self-care and wellbeing, as well as therapies that help mental wellness – intentional music therapy, mindfulness and breathwork rituals and psychedelic retreats.
What radical changes do you foresee? The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) technologies into spa experiences. Biohacking and creating evidence-based multisensory and personalised offerings will be key.
AI will revolutionise the way spas operate. Through machine-learning algorithms, spas will be able to analyse vast amounts of customer data to truly tailor treatments. Meanwhile, AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants will enhance customer service, providing 24/7 support and customised recommendations.
Additionally, VR will play a pivotal role in transforming the spa experience. It can transport guests to breathtaking environments, enabling them to escape from their daily routines and immerse themselves in serene and rejuvenating settings. Customers will have the opportunity to explore virtual worlds and engage in guided meditations, mindfulness exercises and virtual fitness classes, all within the spa environment.
Overall, the spa of the future will be a blend of technology and human touch, offering unparalleled levels of personalisation, convenience and holistic wellness.
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...]
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
Templespa Templespa was founded in 2000 by Liz and Mark Warom, seasoned entrepreneurs with a proven track reco [more...]
