Independent research company Intelligent Spas has released its first Spa Development Pipeline Report, which identified 139 spa developments that are proposed to enter the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in the Middle East between 2015 and 2019, potentially increasing spa numbers in the region by 27 per cent.

In comparison, the confirmed developments will see spa numbers increase to 639, up 19 per cent compared to the number of spas operating in the GCC in 2013.

“These are the first country-level research reports which provide the spa industry with an accurate list of reported new projects, plus their current development status in terms of if they are in planning, under construction, on hold or abandoned,” said Julie Garrow, managing director of Intelligent Spas.

The reports also contain additional information including spa type, indoor spa size and number of treatment rooms.

The study found that Saudi Arabia has the highest industry growth potential, with spa numbers increasing 34 per cent by 2018 if all reported developments are completed.

Oman’s spa industry is set to increase by 23 per cent between now and 2018, based on confirmed spa developments.

And Dubai hosts the highest number of spas in the GCC, with over 190 currently in operation and another 34 spas in the pipeline.

Intelligent Spas also recently released its Spa Market Overview for the GCC.