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Susie Ellis, Global Wellness Summit and Global Wellness Institute / photo: Global Wellness Summit
How has the industry evolved? In 2003, wellness wasn’t a word used in the spa arena frequently. Facilities were seen as elitist and the medical arena, workplaces and governments didn’t understand what they were about. Our organisations (GWI and GWS) started using the term ‘wellness’ in 2010 and now that it’s part of the industry landscape everything has changed.
Who have been the biggest industry influencers? Deborah Szekely, Mel Zuckerman, Nerio Alessandri, Rick Stollmeyer, Liz Terry, organisations such as our own, ISPA, Biologique Recherche and Global Wellness Day.
What business models are the most exciting? True wellness real estate communities where you can live alone or as a family and be assured of a healthy life are extremely exciting. Today, that only really exists at Serenbe in Atlanta, Georgia, however there are more in the works.
I also love affordable and meaningful wellness. These days, some of the thermal resorts, such as Therme Bucharest, charge as little as US$35 a day to access many of its experiences.
Finally, there are evidence-based medical wellness models which offer true preventative diagnostics and work with people to avoid becoming ill in the first place.
What societal trends are having the biggest impact on spas globally? Since COVID, it’s the recognition of the profound effect connection, community and gathering can have on mental and physical health. It’s something the industry should be more cognisant of and embrace and engage with because we have the opportunity to truly ‘own’ that space.
"With its trusted, high-quality
and unbiased communications,
Spa Business has been a very uniting factor in our sector. In fact, there was no global spa and wellness industry until Spa Business began and helped aggregate the various players"
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
Contrast therapy, based on the alternation of hot and cold rituals, has become one of the
most valued practices in the fields of wellness and recovery. [more...]
Susie Ellis, Global Wellness Summit and Global Wellness Institute / photo: Global Wellness Summit
How has the industry evolved? In 2003, wellness wasn’t a word used in the spa arena frequently. Facilities were seen as elitist and the medical arena, workplaces and governments didn’t understand what they were about. Our organisations (GWI and GWS) started using the term ‘wellness’ in 2010 and now that it’s part of the industry landscape everything has changed.
Who have been the biggest industry influencers? Deborah Szekely, Mel Zuckerman, Nerio Alessandri, Rick Stollmeyer, Liz Terry, organisations such as our own, ISPA, Biologique Recherche and Global Wellness Day.
What business models are the most exciting? True wellness real estate communities where you can live alone or as a family and be assured of a healthy life are extremely exciting. Today, that only really exists at Serenbe in Atlanta, Georgia, however there are more in the works.
I also love affordable and meaningful wellness. These days, some of the thermal resorts, such as Therme Bucharest, charge as little as US$35 a day to access many of its experiences.
Finally, there are evidence-based medical wellness models which offer true preventative diagnostics and work with people to avoid becoming ill in the first place.
What societal trends are having the biggest impact on spas globally? Since COVID, it’s the recognition of the profound effect connection, community and gathering can have on mental and physical health. It’s something the industry should be more cognisant of and embrace and engage with because we have the opportunity to truly ‘own’ that space.
"With its trusted, high-quality
and unbiased communications,
Spa Business has been a very uniting factor in our sector. In fact, there was no global spa and wellness industry until Spa Business began and helped aggregate the various players"
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
Preidlhof Luxury DolceVita Resort, a destination resort and spa in Naturno, South Tyrol in Italy,
will reveal a new spa in February 2027, which has been designed by wellness expert and
consultant Patrizia Bortolin.
Private hotel owner and developer HVL Hotels will open a new luxury resort and tourism
destination called Laval Hunter Valley in the second half of 2027 in Pokolbin, Australia.
The annual wellness festival dedicated to wellbeing, culture, longevity and human connection,
called Alma, will be hosted by Rocco Forte hotel, Verdura Resort in Sicily, Italy.
Capella Hotel Group has appointed Feisal Jaffer as chief development officer as the company
ramps up its global expansion of both its Capella and Patina brands.
People taking GLP-1 weight loss medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound
may be losing weight, but they’re also becoming less physically active, according to new
research presented at the ENDO 2026 annual meeting of the Endocrine Society
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed
€1 billion
offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the
continental European Center Parcs business.
Global retreat trade show, Synergy The Retreat Show, has launched a resource called The
Source, which hosts an open-access online Transformation Series programme.
Contrast therapy, based on the alternation of hot and cold rituals, has become one of the
most valued practices in the fields of wellness and recovery. [more...]
