Mark Hennebry, Ensana
/ photo: Ensana Health Spa Hotels
What have been your career highlights? During a dire recession in Ireland, is it the day I saw a vacancy for a job in Hong Kong and was on a plane three weeks later becoming an economic migrant like millions of others? Or is it the day I went for an interview in Phuket and on walking into the hotel, knowing with absolute certainty that I’d found my ‘home’?
There have been many other such inflexion points when I needed to make career decisions. I subscribe to the concept that there’s no such thing as a right/wrong choice – just a different one.
Who have been the biggest influencers? Banyan Tree opened its flagship site in Phuket in 1994 and was one of the first to design a spa concept as an integral part of the hotel offering, rather than just as an afterthought. Many brands have followed suit to varying degrees of success. Today Banyan Tree remains a phenomenal force and it has also added complementary brands that segment the market.
What will have the greatest impact on spas? The democratisation of health will be hugely influential. Ultra-luxury spas are wonderful. However, spas that build their business model around a much wider and deeper market segment at accessible price points, will, I believe, develop a long-term sustainable future.
What do you still hope to accomplish? The creation of Ensana just four years ago laid the foundations for a new brand in Europe based on integrative health – fusing local natural resources such as thermal water and mud with expert medical knowledge to offer treatments that support people’s health. We’re only at the start of this journey and doubling the size of the business in the next 10 years is an achievable goal.
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
The Spa Life UK Convention returns from 21–23 June 2026 at Whittlebury Park Hotel, Spa &
Golf Resort, bringing together spa managers, directors and owners for two days of focused
education, meaningful connection and commercial insight. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Living Earth Crafts
For over 50 years, LEC has been manufacturing award-winning spa equipment for the world’s finest spas [more...]
Omnisens
Rooted in nature and guided by a holistic philosophy, Omnisens' treatments and products are crafted [more...]
Mark Hennebry, Ensana
/ photo: Ensana Health Spa Hotels
What have been your career highlights? During a dire recession in Ireland, is it the day I saw a vacancy for a job in Hong Kong and was on a plane three weeks later becoming an economic migrant like millions of others? Or is it the day I went for an interview in Phuket and on walking into the hotel, knowing with absolute certainty that I’d found my ‘home’?
There have been many other such inflexion points when I needed to make career decisions. I subscribe to the concept that there’s no such thing as a right/wrong choice – just a different one.
Who have been the biggest influencers? Banyan Tree opened its flagship site in Phuket in 1994 and was one of the first to design a spa concept as an integral part of the hotel offering, rather than just as an afterthought. Many brands have followed suit to varying degrees of success. Today Banyan Tree remains a phenomenal force and it has also added complementary brands that segment the market.
What will have the greatest impact on spas? The democratisation of health will be hugely influential. Ultra-luxury spas are wonderful. However, spas that build their business model around a much wider and deeper market segment at accessible price points, will, I believe, develop a long-term sustainable future.
What do you still hope to accomplish? The creation of Ensana just four years ago laid the foundations for a new brand in Europe based on integrative health – fusing local natural resources such as thermal water and mud with expert medical knowledge to offer treatments that support people’s health. We’re only at the start of this journey and doubling the size of the business in the next 10 years is an achievable goal.
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
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.
A new global study by Kevin Kelly and Peter Yesawich, called WELLSurvey 2.0, has revealed
more than half of consumers in the UK, US and Germany would not choose numerous high-
profile wellness resort brands for a future trip.
Luxury hospitality and wellness pioneer Jeremy McCarthy has launched Leisure Alchemy, a
digital platform that will provide professionals with strategic guidance on how to build
transformational leisure experiences that drive profit.
The Spa Life UK Convention returns from 21–23 June 2026 at Whittlebury Park Hotel, Spa &
Golf Resort, bringing together spa managers, directors and owners for two days of focused
education, meaningful connection and commercial insight. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Living Earth Crafts For over 50 years, LEC has been manufacturing award-winning spa equipment for the world’s finest spas [more...]
