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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 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...]
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
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.
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...]
