Lynne McNees
International Spa Association
/ photo: Echo Starmaker Photography
How has the spa industry evolved? When I joined the International Spa Association (ISPA) in the 90s, the modern spa industry was just beginning to emerge and rebrand. In a quarter of a century, the public perception of spas has shifted dramatically and they’re now accessible and enjoyed by men and women from all walks of life.
During that period, ISPA and its partners, including Spa Business magazine, have influenced the industry’s growth as an international economic force. They’ve guided the development of a new era of spa leaders who adeptly marry spa’s holistic wellness approach with the realities of running successful businesses.
One of ISPA’s enduring contributions is its US Spa Industry Survey which launched in 2000 (see p104). Its data archive benchmarks the health and direction of the spa industry over time, giving us a clear view of the industry’s status and allowing us to set aggressive but attainable goals for growth.
What milestones can you pinpoint? Philosophically: the world has had a collective awakening to the need for ‘life/work balance’ – a concept I know continues to evolve because I would have called it ‘work/life balance’ only a year ago. The spa world should be recognised with some credit for this new mindset.
Professionally: just last year, the US spa industry’s contribution to the economy surpassed US$20 billion (€18.8 billion, £16.3 billion) for the first time – a goal we’ve been discussing for years.
What key innovations can you identify? The incorporation of tech into traditional treatments has undoubtedly expanded services and made them more effective than ever. But, we’ve been smart. While open to innovation we’ve also been fiercely protective of modalities that have been proven across hundreds of years.
How do you hope the industry will look in 2050? The ISPA Foundation is challenging spa leaders worldwide to double the industry’s economic impact in a decade. That’s long before 2050. We envision an industry which has significantly expanded stature to influence policy and society, while never losing sight of its unique culture.
And, as always, ISPA will continue to use its strength to promote policies and legislation to help guide spa businesses through this era of rapid change.
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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.
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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
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Lynne McNees
International Spa Association
/ photo: Echo Starmaker Photography
How has the spa industry evolved? When I joined the International Spa Association (ISPA) in the 90s, the modern spa industry was just beginning to emerge and rebrand. In a quarter of a century, the public perception of spas has shifted dramatically and they’re now accessible and enjoyed by men and women from all walks of life.
During that period, ISPA and its partners, including Spa Business magazine, have influenced the industry’s growth as an international economic force. They’ve guided the development of a new era of spa leaders who adeptly marry spa’s holistic wellness approach with the realities of running successful businesses.
One of ISPA’s enduring contributions is its US Spa Industry Survey which launched in 2000 (see p104). Its data archive benchmarks the health and direction of the spa industry over time, giving us a clear view of the industry’s status and allowing us to set aggressive but attainable goals for growth.
What milestones can you pinpoint? Philosophically: the world has had a collective awakening to the need for ‘life/work balance’ – a concept I know continues to evolve because I would have called it ‘work/life balance’ only a year ago. The spa world should be recognised with some credit for this new mindset.
Professionally: just last year, the US spa industry’s contribution to the economy surpassed US$20 billion (€18.8 billion, £16.3 billion) for the first time – a goal we’ve been discussing for years.
What key innovations can you identify? The incorporation of tech into traditional treatments has undoubtedly expanded services and made them more effective than ever. But, we’ve been smart. While open to innovation we’ve also been fiercely protective of modalities that have been proven across hundreds of years.
How do you hope the industry will look in 2050? The ISPA Foundation is challenging spa leaders worldwide to double the industry’s economic impact in a decade. That’s long before 2050. We envision an industry which has significantly expanded stature to influence policy and society, while never losing sight of its unique culture.
And, as always, ISPA will continue to use its strength to promote policies and legislation to help guide spa businesses through this era of rapid change.
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
Mexican operator, Solmar Hotels and Resorts, is hosting a series of events in celebration of
Global Wellness Day, including a Temazcal ceremony at its Playa Grande Resort and Spa in Los
Cabos.
Mandarin Oriental has announced a standalone residence brand, Mansions, which will debut at
Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Mansions, Abu Dhabi, in 2029.
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai in Hoi An, Vietnam, has put together a Global Wellness Day
(GWD) agenda with activations rooted in nature and shaped by four pillars of Joy – in
alignment with the day’s theme #JoyMagenta.
The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) will celebrate its 20th anniversary at the 2026 event in
Phuket, Thailand, later this year with the theme: The Science, Art and Soul of Wellness.
Auko, an all-inclusive development, is opening in Phong Nha in Vietnam in Q3 2026, with a
series of 30 tented eco-lodges and wellness hospitality operations by Lumina Wellbeing.
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions
that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once
complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK.
Naples Beach Club, a Four Seasons Resort, has opened a 2,800sq m spa called The Sanctuary,
with the design and concept inspired by the Native American people that populated Florida’s
Southwest coast – the Calusa.
Swire Hotels’ luxury hospitality brand Upper House has revealed it will roll out its two-day
House of Healing retreats at its three hotels in Hong Kong, Chengdu and Shanghai.
LVMH-owned beauty house Guerlain will launch up to five spas with partners a year as part of
its plan to expand globally, according to the brand’s international spa and wellness director,
Diane Davody.
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customised approach to designing massage beds and loungers in high-end wellness
environments. [more...]
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our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
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