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
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
A US$50 million (£44.2 million, €51.2 million) transformation of Chicago's historic McCormick
Mansion has created a new destination that combines live magic, immersive theatre, dining and
private membership under one roof.
The Montana Historical Society has officially celebrated the opening of its new Montana
Heritage
Center, a US$107 million (£79 million, €92 million) destination that combines immersive
storytelling with cutting-edge audiovisual technology to bring the sta
San Antonio Zoo has reported a US$283 million economic impact for 2025, following a decade-
long transformation programme that has seen almost US$200 million invested into the Texas
attraction.
Plans for the AU$180 million redevelopment of Reef HQ Aquarium in Townsville, Australia, are
progressing, with the project set to transform the attraction into a global centre for reef
education and conservation.
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.
Disney has reaffirmed its commitment to investing US$30 billion in its US parks and cruise
business by 2033, using new America250 celebrations to underline the role its attractions play
in supporting jobs, tourism and economic growth.
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers
confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor,
creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme
that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi-
day destination.
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.
+ More news
COMPANY PROFILES
Simworx Ltd The company was initially established
in 1997. Terry Monkton and Andrew
Roberts are the key stakeh [more...]
Alterface Alterface’s Creative Division team is
seasoned in concept and ride development,
as well as storyte [more...]
Clip 'n Climb Clip ‘n Climb currently offers facility owners and
investors more than 40 colourful and unique
Cha [more...]
TechnoAlpin Indoor TechnoAlpin is the world leader for snowmaking systems. With the Indoor snow division, TechnoAlpin c [more...]
