If spas are to keep flourishing, embracing younger generations and families will be key. The sector has an exciting opportunity to position itself as an educator in wellness to develop relationships with children as they grow
It’s crucial wellness knowledge is built into education / photo: shutterstock/Drazen Zigic
With the Spa Business team just back from this year’s Global Wellness Summit (GWS), we have much to reflect on – and share our highlights on p88.
Fresh numbers revealed at the summit show the global wellness economy has grown to US$5.6 trillion, with the spa sector and thermal/mineral springs segments being worth US$104.5 billion and US$46.3 billion of that respectively (see p22).
The majority of the other sectors which make up the global wellness economy – from wellness tourism to public health, prevention and personalised medicine – are all part of the spa ecosystem and with projections of a 52 per cent increase in the wellness economy by 2027, it means we’re sitting within some huge and fast-growing markets.
To keep on this upward trajectory, spas need to branch out from their traditional gen X and baby boomer markets and at the GWS, there was a strong focus on capturing a younger clientele.
A conference panel talked about a huge market of younger people who are engaged with exercise, physical activity and sport and will eventually supersede the current generation of spa-goers, presenting operators with new audiences and opportunities to pivot their model to active wellness.
Krip Rojanastien, CEO and chair of Chiva-Som spoke about the importance of embracing families, highlighting efforts at sister property Zulal Wellness in Qatar. On p66, Niamh O’Connell reveals how families will be a key focus for Jumeirah moving forward as well. Catering to multiple generations is a trend we’ve identified in our Spa Foresight report, with family-friendly facilities or family wellness programmes coming to market more frequently (see www.spabusiness.com/foresight2023).
“It’s crucial that wellness knowledge and understanding be built into early education so it lasts a lifetime,” Rojanastien said. Spa consultant Amy McDonald echoed these thoughts, saying: “If resorts or day spas can reach out and bring something as simple as mindfulness to teens to teach them about gratitude, that could be transformational, as these are powerful tools.”
The spa and wellness sector has a real chance to make a difference to the wellbeing of children – whether that’s by adapting offerings so they’re more family-friendly or sharing valuable expertise. Either way, it can provide much-needed services, while also engaging with the customers of the future.
photo: Jack Emmerson
Katie Barnes is the editor of Spa Business magazine
| [email protected]
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2023 issue 4
Sponsored: Highest French distinction for RKF's CEO
After receiving the highest civilian award for services to the French nation, Riadh Bouaziz, CEO of RKF Luxury Linen, reflects on his company’s many achievements and considers what lies ahead
Association focus: Thermal Heritage
Jane Kitchen finds out how two key associations – the European Historic Thermal Towns Association and the Great Spa Towns of Europe – are protecting and promoting the unique cultural relevances of Europe’s spa towns
Interview: Paul Simons
As he retires from the Great Spa Towns of Europe, the industry leader reflects on his long and esteemed career
Sponsored: New ways with water
Working globally with architects and interior designers allows Myrtha Wellness to embrace the latest trends in the international hospitality sector, as director Stefano Cattaneo explains
Sponsored: Cutting edge
Ara Patterson from Equinox Hotels talks about a partnership with
Gharieni that’s delivering ROI and innovative treatments for guests
Interview: Niamh O'Connell
What does Jumeirah’s first vice president of wellbeing have planned for the Middle East-based hospitality group?
Sponsored: Lasse Eriksen on contrast therapy
Contrast therapy is gaining attention for its healing effects. We ask aufguss and sauna expert Lasse Eriksen to share his views on the perfect experience
Nature spas: Tree of life
Lisa Starr discovers two retreats in Austria and Italy which base their wellbeing concepts on forests
Sponsored: Spirit of Excellence
Rupert Schmid and Pierre-Louis Delapalme, owners of Biologique Recherche, discuss the global rollout of its ‘Ambassade’ flagship spas
Sponsored: Outstanding performance
Bicester Hotel & Spa is working with Matrix Fitness to enable wellness guests to train like athletes with a unique offering
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...]
If spas are to keep flourishing, embracing younger generations and families will be key. The sector has an exciting opportunity to position itself as an educator in wellness to develop relationships with children as they grow
It’s crucial wellness knowledge is built into education / photo: shutterstock/Drazen Zigic
With the Spa Business team just back from this year’s Global Wellness Summit (GWS), we have much to reflect on – and share our highlights on p88.
Fresh numbers revealed at the summit show the global wellness economy has grown to US$5.6 trillion, with the spa sector and thermal/mineral springs segments being worth US$104.5 billion and US$46.3 billion of that respectively (see p22).
The majority of the other sectors which make up the global wellness economy – from wellness tourism to public health, prevention and personalised medicine – are all part of the spa ecosystem and with projections of a 52 per cent increase in the wellness economy by 2027, it means we’re sitting within some huge and fast-growing markets.
To keep on this upward trajectory, spas need to branch out from their traditional gen X and baby boomer markets and at the GWS, there was a strong focus on capturing a younger clientele.
A conference panel talked about a huge market of younger people who are engaged with exercise, physical activity and sport and will eventually supersede the current generation of spa-goers, presenting operators with new audiences and opportunities to pivot their model to active wellness.
Krip Rojanastien, CEO and chair of Chiva-Som spoke about the importance of embracing families, highlighting efforts at sister property Zulal Wellness in Qatar. On p66, Niamh O’Connell reveals how families will be a key focus for Jumeirah moving forward as well. Catering to multiple generations is a trend we’ve identified in our Spa Foresight report, with family-friendly facilities or family wellness programmes coming to market more frequently (see www.spabusiness.com/foresight2023).
“It’s crucial that wellness knowledge and understanding be built into early education so it lasts a lifetime,” Rojanastien said. Spa consultant Amy McDonald echoed these thoughts, saying: “If resorts or day spas can reach out and bring something as simple as mindfulness to teens to teach them about gratitude, that could be transformational, as these are powerful tools.”
The spa and wellness sector has a real chance to make a difference to the wellbeing of children – whether that’s by adapting offerings so they’re more family-friendly or sharing valuable expertise. Either way, it can provide much-needed services, while also engaging with the customers of the future.
photo: Jack Emmerson
Katie Barnes is the editor of Spa Business magazine
| [email protected]
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2023 issue 4
Sponsored: Highest French distinction for RKF's CEO
After receiving the highest civilian award for services to the French nation, Riadh Bouaziz, CEO of RKF Luxury Linen, reflects on his company’s many achievements and considers what lies ahead
Association focus: Thermal Heritage
Jane Kitchen finds out how two key associations – the European Historic Thermal Towns Association and the Great Spa Towns of Europe – are protecting and promoting the unique cultural relevances of Europe’s spa towns
Interview: Paul Simons
As he retires from the Great Spa Towns of Europe, the industry leader reflects on his long and esteemed career
Sponsored: New ways with water
Working globally with architects and interior designers allows Myrtha Wellness to embrace the latest trends in the international hospitality sector, as director Stefano Cattaneo explains
Sponsored: Cutting edge
Ara Patterson from Equinox Hotels talks about a partnership with
Gharieni that’s delivering ROI and innovative treatments for guests
Interview: Niamh O'Connell
What does Jumeirah’s first vice president of wellbeing have planned for the Middle East-based hospitality group?
Sponsored: Lasse Eriksen on contrast therapy
Contrast therapy is gaining attention for its healing effects. We ask aufguss and sauna expert Lasse Eriksen to share his views on the perfect experience
Nature spas: Tree of life
Lisa Starr discovers two retreats in Austria and Italy which base their wellbeing concepts on forests
Sponsored: Spirit of Excellence
Rupert Schmid and Pierre-Louis Delapalme, owners of Biologique Recherche, discuss the global rollout of its ‘Ambassade’ flagship spas
Sponsored: Outstanding performance
Bicester Hotel & Spa is working with Matrix Fitness to enable wellness guests to train like athletes with a unique offering
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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