Revenues are at an all-time high, operators are starting to benefit from yield management and democratic wellness is bubbling under. It’s an exciting time for our industry
World Spa NYC expects an ROI in 12 months / photo: anna sokol
Figures just out from the International Spa Association (ISPA) show that revenues from US spas have surpassed US$20bn (€18.6bn, £16.2bn) a year for the first time, marking a milestone achievement (see p32). The number of spa locations, visits, revenue per visit and total employment numbers are also up.
Our sector, which is based on touch and travel, was one of the hardest hit by COVID. But even back then, operators were optimistic their focus on wellbeing would stand the test of time, as a shell-shocked global population had a health wake-up call.
It’s heartwarming to see these numbers confirming the comeback and also to have spas on the ground corroborating that their businesses are flourishing.
Another positive to come from hard times is that operators are increasingly embracing yield management. More often than not, Spa Business sees dynamic pricing at play and a steady increase in the number of businesses launching membership packages (see p102). Yes, this is an anecdotal observation, based on our reporting and there’s more operators can do, but it’s interesting and promising, nonetheless.
It’s most encouraging, however, to see the beginnings of democratic wellness and the hunger for it.
Therme Group charges as little as US$20 (€19, £16) for a three-hour pass to its Bucharest complex and welcomed over 1 million visitors in its first year. At the new World Spa bathhouse in New York (see p96) entry starts at US$89 (€83, £72) and people are queuing around the block to get in – even on a Monday. The owners expect to see a return on investment in the first 12 months.
On a larger scale, Hilton’s Amanda Al-Masri reveals that the global group intends to deliver wellness across all its 19 brands, not just those in the top tier (see p70). This amounts to 7,000 properties and 1 million guestrooms. “It helps us to do right by our guests and I feel a huge responsibility to deliver it,” she says.
The move, spearheaded by an all-female leadership team, will see wellness touchpoints delivered throughout Hilton hotels, not just in spas. Yet, at the same time, much innovation is stemming from those spas and they’re gaining well-deserved, widespread recognition for this.
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 2
Editor's letter: Feeling optimistic
Revenue is at an all-time high and democratic wellness is bubbling under. It’s an exciting time for spas, says Katie Barnes
Spa People: Taichi Kuma
The son of celebrated architect Kengo Kuma designs a striking shell-like sauna in Japan
Spa People: Ana Ramirez
On her plans to roll out Ancestral Handmade, her regenerative wellness hotel concept, across South America – starting in Colombia
Spa People: Daniel Golby
On ESPA Life's debut in Doha and the markets he has his eyes set on for future expansion
News report: Milestone moment
US spa industry revenue exceeds the US$20bn mark according to ISPA's latest Big Five statistics
Sponsored: MyBlend: A new vision of beauty
Clarins has elevated its myBlend brand with new tech and formulations, as well as forging powerful alliances with global spa partners
Sponsored: Gharieni: Mind expansion
With the quest for better mental health growing ever stronger in the wake of the global pandemic, we ask Gharieni CEO Sammy Gharieni how the company’s wellness technologies are helping spas to meet this consumer demand
Top team: Hilton
Sleep, fitness and new spa concepts are top of the list as Hilton looks to deliver wellness across its 7,000 properties
Thermal spa: The heat is on
With 50 hot springs projects underway, the US is looking to establish itself as a thermal spa destination. Jane Kitchen takes a closer look
Revenues are at an all-time high, operators are starting to benefit from yield management and democratic wellness is bubbling under. It’s an exciting time for our industry
World Spa NYC expects an ROI in 12 months / photo: anna sokol
Figures just out from the International Spa Association (ISPA) show that revenues from US spas have surpassed US$20bn (€18.6bn, £16.2bn) a year for the first time, marking a milestone achievement (see p32). The number of spa locations, visits, revenue per visit and total employment numbers are also up.
Our sector, which is based on touch and travel, was one of the hardest hit by COVID. But even back then, operators were optimistic their focus on wellbeing would stand the test of time, as a shell-shocked global population had a health wake-up call.
It’s heartwarming to see these numbers confirming the comeback and also to have spas on the ground corroborating that their businesses are flourishing.
Another positive to come from hard times is that operators are increasingly embracing yield management. More often than not, Spa Business sees dynamic pricing at play and a steady increase in the number of businesses launching membership packages (see p102). Yes, this is an anecdotal observation, based on our reporting and there’s more operators can do, but it’s interesting and promising, nonetheless.
It’s most encouraging, however, to see the beginnings of democratic wellness and the hunger for it.
Therme Group charges as little as US$20 (€19, £16) for a three-hour pass to its Bucharest complex and welcomed over 1 million visitors in its first year. At the new World Spa bathhouse in New York (see p96) entry starts at US$89 (€83, £72) and people are queuing around the block to get in – even on a Monday. The owners expect to see a return on investment in the first 12 months.
On a larger scale, Hilton’s Amanda Al-Masri reveals that the global group intends to deliver wellness across all its 19 brands, not just those in the top tier (see p70). This amounts to 7,000 properties and 1 million guestrooms. “It helps us to do right by our guests and I feel a huge responsibility to deliver it,” she says.
The move, spearheaded by an all-female leadership team, will see wellness touchpoints delivered throughout Hilton hotels, not just in spas. Yet, at the same time, much innovation is stemming from those spas and they’re gaining well-deserved, widespread recognition for this.
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 2
Editor's letter: Feeling optimistic
Revenue is at an all-time high and democratic wellness is bubbling under. It’s an exciting time for spas, says Katie Barnes
Spa People: Taichi Kuma
The son of celebrated architect Kengo Kuma designs a striking shell-like sauna in Japan
Spa People: Ana Ramirez
On her plans to roll out Ancestral Handmade, her regenerative wellness hotel concept, across South America – starting in Colombia
Spa People: Daniel Golby
On ESPA Life's debut in Doha and the markets he has his eyes set on for future expansion
News report: Milestone moment
US spa industry revenue exceeds the US$20bn mark according to ISPA's latest Big Five statistics
Sponsored: MyBlend: A new vision of beauty
Clarins has elevated its myBlend brand with new tech and formulations, as well as forging powerful alliances with global spa partners
Sponsored: Gharieni: Mind expansion
With the quest for better mental health growing ever stronger in the wake of the global pandemic, we ask Gharieni CEO Sammy Gharieni how the company’s wellness technologies are helping spas to meet this consumer demand
Top team: Hilton
Sleep, fitness and new spa concepts are top of the list as Hilton looks to deliver wellness across its 7,000 properties
Thermal spa: The heat is on
With 50 hot springs projects underway, the US is looking to establish itself as a thermal spa destination. Jane Kitchen takes a closer look
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.
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.
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.
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