This period of great seriousness is depriving many people of the mental and physical health benefits of play, creativity and self-expression – something spas are ideally placed to deliver
By Liz Terry | Published in Spa Business 2021 issue 4
Play is beneficial to both physical and mental health and wellbeing / Photo: Shuterstock/Sergios
Although many have drawn on their resilience to find light in the darkness, there’s no denying it’s been a serious, worrying, stressful and sometimes tragic time for the majority since 11 March 2020 – the day the World Health Organization declared the most serious global pandemic of the modern age.
As we approach the second anniversary, I’ve been reflecting on the bigger picture and talking to industry contacts, family and friends to try to establish what we’ve lost, what we’ve gained and where we’re heading.
What I’ve found is that for many, life is lacking sparkle and has become more limited, more routine and a little grey. It seems we’re missing playfulness, impulsiveness, spontaneity and the opportunity for the creative self-expression that, in part, defines who we are.
Most admit these are first world problems and are grateful to have weathered the storm so far, but it’s clear that the sparks of joy that can make life more meaningful and experiences more memorable, have been in short supply.
As we limp wearily towards the end of the pandemic, with experts predicting two more winters of disruption before things start to stablise in 2024, there will be a huge appetite among consumers for playful, joyful experiences.
As a result, we’re predicting that play and playfulness will become a major growth area for the spa and wellness industry and in our next Spa Business Foresight report – due out in 2022 – this will be our number one trend.
For children, play is an essential part of development and for adults, it allows the recapturing of that spirit, with huge benefits for mental and physical health.
Right on cue, wellness community Serenbe, which is always so skilful at capturing the Zeitgeist, has announced its next development will be based on play, creating opportunities for spontaneous fun through its masterplanning, architecture and programming.
In this issue of Spa Business, our editors have travelled the world to bring you insights into life-changing experiences and it’s notable that the most vivid involve uninhibited playfulness – whether it’s Andrew Gibson howling at the moon in Norway or Jane Kitchen playing with mud in Iceland. It’s clear that if you’re not already incorporating playfulness into your operation, it’s time to get creative and find ways to do so.
Liz Terry, Spa Business editorial director [email protected]
@elizterry
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2021 issue 4
Sponsored: Comfort Zone - Rethinking packaging
With its commitment to meeting the highest standards in relation to sustainability and regeneration, Comfort Zone is reducing its plastic footprint through the use of innovative packaging design and an important partnership to stop ocean-bound plastic
Project preview: Cultivating health
Montara Hospitality Group is developing Tri Vananda, a multi- generational, residential wellness community on the island of Phuket
Sponsored: Art of Cryo – Cold gold
Introducing cryotherapy can be lucrative for spas, as well as offering customers a cutting-edge therapy with powerful benefits for both body and mind
Interview: Brothers in spa
Saverio Quadrio Curzio of QC Terme on working with brother Andrea
on the global expansion of their luxury brand, which is built around European bathing traditions
Everyone’s talking about: Property investment
Reductions in travel and the growth
of homeworking have changed where people spend their time. Our experts consider how this will impact investment
Research: Crossing the watershed
The Global Wellness Institute dives deep into data on the US$4.4tr global wellness economy. Kath Hudson reports
Q&A: Michael Roizen & Victor Koo
The Global Wellness Summit in Boston brought the industry together for three idea-packed days. Spa Business caught up with this year's influential co-chairs
Mystery Shopper: Out of the blue
Jane Kitchen visits Iceland, the
land of fire and ice, to compare
and contrast experiences at the
famed Blue Lagoon and the newly-opened Sky Lagoon in Reykjavik
Sponsored: Optimal results
Gharieni is using research findings and insight to ensure its innovative wellness concepts exceed customers’ expectations
First person: True North
Andrew Gibson heads to Larvik in Norway to experience the world of wellness that is Farris Bad
Urban spas: La Samaritaine
Ghislain Waeyaert visits the Dior Spa at La Samaritaine in Paris, after its €500m upgrade
Spa software: Staff retention
How the latest software can help retain staff and increase business potential in a COVID-challenged world
Finishing touch: COVID attacks fat cells
Researchers from Stanford University set out to explain why people with obesity are at higher risk when contracting COVID-19, as Tom Walker reports
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally
opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its
next phase. [more...]
This period of great seriousness is depriving many people of the mental and physical health benefits of play, creativity and self-expression – something spas are ideally placed to deliver
By Liz Terry | Published in Spa Business 2021 issue 4
Play is beneficial to both physical and mental health and wellbeing / Photo: Shuterstock/Sergios
Although many have drawn on their resilience to find light in the darkness, there’s no denying it’s been a serious, worrying, stressful and sometimes tragic time for the majority since 11 March 2020 – the day the World Health Organization declared the most serious global pandemic of the modern age.
As we approach the second anniversary, I’ve been reflecting on the bigger picture and talking to industry contacts, family and friends to try to establish what we’ve lost, what we’ve gained and where we’re heading.
What I’ve found is that for many, life is lacking sparkle and has become more limited, more routine and a little grey. It seems we’re missing playfulness, impulsiveness, spontaneity and the opportunity for the creative self-expression that, in part, defines who we are.
Most admit these are first world problems and are grateful to have weathered the storm so far, but it’s clear that the sparks of joy that can make life more meaningful and experiences more memorable, have been in short supply.
As we limp wearily towards the end of the pandemic, with experts predicting two more winters of disruption before things start to stablise in 2024, there will be a huge appetite among consumers for playful, joyful experiences.
As a result, we’re predicting that play and playfulness will become a major growth area for the spa and wellness industry and in our next Spa Business Foresight report – due out in 2022 – this will be our number one trend.
For children, play is an essential part of development and for adults, it allows the recapturing of that spirit, with huge benefits for mental and physical health.
Right on cue, wellness community Serenbe, which is always so skilful at capturing the Zeitgeist, has announced its next development will be based on play, creating opportunities for spontaneous fun through its masterplanning, architecture and programming.
In this issue of Spa Business, our editors have travelled the world to bring you insights into life-changing experiences and it’s notable that the most vivid involve uninhibited playfulness – whether it’s Andrew Gibson howling at the moon in Norway or Jane Kitchen playing with mud in Iceland. It’s clear that if you’re not already incorporating playfulness into your operation, it’s time to get creative and find ways to do so.
Liz Terry, Spa Business editorial director [email protected]
@elizterry
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2021 issue 4
Sponsored: Comfort Zone - Rethinking packaging
With its commitment to meeting the highest standards in relation to sustainability and regeneration, Comfort Zone is reducing its plastic footprint through the use of innovative packaging design and an important partnership to stop ocean-bound plastic
Project preview: Cultivating health
Montara Hospitality Group is developing Tri Vananda, a multi- generational, residential wellness community on the island of Phuket
Sponsored: Art of Cryo – Cold gold
Introducing cryotherapy can be lucrative for spas, as well as offering customers a cutting-edge therapy with powerful benefits for both body and mind
Interview: Brothers in spa
Saverio Quadrio Curzio of QC Terme on working with brother Andrea
on the global expansion of their luxury brand, which is built around European bathing traditions
Everyone’s talking about: Property investment
Reductions in travel and the growth
of homeworking have changed where people spend their time. Our experts consider how this will impact investment
Research: Crossing the watershed
The Global Wellness Institute dives deep into data on the US$4.4tr global wellness economy. Kath Hudson reports
Q&A: Michael Roizen & Victor Koo
The Global Wellness Summit in Boston brought the industry together for three idea-packed days. Spa Business caught up with this year's influential co-chairs
Mystery Shopper: Out of the blue
Jane Kitchen visits Iceland, the
land of fire and ice, to compare
and contrast experiences at the
famed Blue Lagoon and the newly-opened Sky Lagoon in Reykjavik
Sponsored: Optimal results
Gharieni is using research findings and insight to ensure its innovative wellness concepts exceed customers’ expectations
First person: True North
Andrew Gibson heads to Larvik in Norway to experience the world of wellness that is Farris Bad
Urban spas: La Samaritaine
Ghislain Waeyaert visits the Dior Spa at La Samaritaine in Paris, after its €500m upgrade
Spa software: Staff retention
How the latest software can help retain staff and increase business potential in a COVID-challenged world
Finishing touch: COVID attacks fat cells
Researchers from Stanford University set out to explain why people with obesity are at higher risk when contracting COVID-19, as Tom Walker reports
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii
is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder
Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while
remaining actively involved with the company.
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th
anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s
longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
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.
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its
recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’
planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–
Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism inv
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx-
Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional
revenue opportunities.
The UK government has announced a temporary reduction in VAT on visitor attractions and
children’s meals as part of a summer cost-of-living support package designed to stimulate the
visitor economy and encourage family days out.
As designer Yinka Ilori prepares for his first solo gallery show in London, he speaks exclusively
to CLADmag about his mission to spread joy, the power of play, and his bold approach to using
colour (including the colours you won’t see in his work).
The government of Thailand is exploring plans for a THB300bn (£6.3bn, US$8.3bn)
entertainment complex in the country’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), with officials
proposing a large-scale theme park and sports destination as part of a broader tourism and
economic development strategy.
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