The Spa Business team. From top left: Jane Kitchen, Liz Terry, Megan Whitby. Seated: Astrid Ros and Katie Barnes / photo: Jack Emmerson
I can hardly believe this issue marks the 20th birthday of Spa Business. I also feel incredibly grateful to have been involved with this special magazine for 19.5 of those 20 years – joining Leisure Media as a fledgling beauty journalist and being part of a talented team which has produced more than 10,000 spa news stories, 2,000 in-depth features and no less than 8 million ezines.
Spa Business was the first global spa magazine. Liz Terry, our editorial director, launched it with the intention of uniting the world of spa and wellness, helping it to forge a powerful identity through collaboration. She talks more about her motivation for starting the title on page 12.
In celebration of our milestone, we’ve handed this issue over to the thought leaders of our sector. Starting on page 16, a host of experts share their career highlights, reflect on the industry’s pivotal moments and tell us what they think we’ll be writing about in the years to come.
On page 76, Andrew Gibson nails it when he says “the real growth of our sector is the result of a global collaboration by a dedicated group of passionate leaders who wanted to elevate the industry into a serious and relevant contributor to personal and societal health”.
This is an important thing to acknowledge, as our industry has been blessed with caring, inspirational and driven individuals who have been key to its transformation.
Since Spa Business’ inception in 2003, spas have undergone a seismic shift in purpose from places of pampering to providers of wellness. They heal people with the modalities they offer, educate them about healthy lifestyle and change their quality of life, making our work rewarding and meaningful.
Spas have become significant players in the much wider global wellness economy. An economy that, according to the Global Wellness Institute, is worth US$4.4 trillion (€4.1 trillion, £3.6 trillion) today and that’s forecast to reach a staggering US$7 trillion (€6.6 trillion, £5.7 trillion) by 2025.
That date isn’t far away and we’re excited to see where this dynamic industry goes next.
Thank you to everyone who has supported us on our own journey – particularly our clients and writers, past and present, and Leisure Media colleagues behind the scenes. And a special mention to the core Spa Business team: Liz Terry, Astrid Ros, Megan Whitby and Jane Kitchen – you make the magazine what it is.
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 3
Editor's letter: Reflection point
As Spa Business celebrates its 20th birthday, Katie Barnes pauses for thought and rejoices in the industry’s evolution
Spa People: 20th anniversary issue: Anna Bjurstam
The strategic senior advisor at Six Senses and Raison d'Etre on being initiated as a shaman, why psychedelics are here to stay and her bigger fear for the global spa industry
Promotion: Klafs: Relax into wellbeing
Klafs and Studio F. A. Porsche have combined their design and wellness expertise to create an oasis for total-body relaxation
News report: Eastern promise
Japan’s spa industry is valued at US$4.2 billion and is part of the world's third highest-performing wellness economy
Jeremy McCarthy: Theory of evolution
From spa to wellness and now leisure – Spa Business’ contributing editor looks at where hospitality experiences are heading
Promotion: Lemi: Built to last
Lemi is committed to leading with innovation to create
cutting-edge treatment room solutions that excel
in terms of performance and eco-credentials
Promotion: G.M. COLLIN: Collagen pioneers
GM Collin’s expertise in collagen research and product formulation has resulted in the creation of a new serum that combats age-related skin degeneration
Promotion: Comfort Zone: A brighter future
Consumers are increasingly interested in reducing dark spots and hyperpigmentation and a new line from Comfort Zone has been launched to address this emerging need
Promotion: Art of Cryo: Life changing experience
Vikki and Robbie are often exhausted after work. A visit to the spa to experience
the Art of Cryo Tech-Spa Module is a chance to re-set and rejuvenate together
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...]
The Spa Business team. From top left: Jane Kitchen, Liz Terry, Megan Whitby. Seated: Astrid Ros and Katie Barnes / photo: Jack Emmerson
I can hardly believe this issue marks the 20th birthday of Spa Business. I also feel incredibly grateful to have been involved with this special magazine for 19.5 of those 20 years – joining Leisure Media as a fledgling beauty journalist and being part of a talented team which has produced more than 10,000 spa news stories, 2,000 in-depth features and no less than 8 million ezines.
Spa Business was the first global spa magazine. Liz Terry, our editorial director, launched it with the intention of uniting the world of spa and wellness, helping it to forge a powerful identity through collaboration. She talks more about her motivation for starting the title on page 12.
In celebration of our milestone, we’ve handed this issue over to the thought leaders of our sector. Starting on page 16, a host of experts share their career highlights, reflect on the industry’s pivotal moments and tell us what they think we’ll be writing about in the years to come.
On page 76, Andrew Gibson nails it when he says “the real growth of our sector is the result of a global collaboration by a dedicated group of passionate leaders who wanted to elevate the industry into a serious and relevant contributor to personal and societal health”.
This is an important thing to acknowledge, as our industry has been blessed with caring, inspirational and driven individuals who have been key to its transformation.
Since Spa Business’ inception in 2003, spas have undergone a seismic shift in purpose from places of pampering to providers of wellness. They heal people with the modalities they offer, educate them about healthy lifestyle and change their quality of life, making our work rewarding and meaningful.
Spas have become significant players in the much wider global wellness economy. An economy that, according to the Global Wellness Institute, is worth US$4.4 trillion (€4.1 trillion, £3.6 trillion) today and that’s forecast to reach a staggering US$7 trillion (€6.6 trillion, £5.7 trillion) by 2025.
That date isn’t far away and we’re excited to see where this dynamic industry goes next.
Thank you to everyone who has supported us on our own journey – particularly our clients and writers, past and present, and Leisure Media colleagues behind the scenes. And a special mention to the core Spa Business team: Liz Terry, Astrid Ros, Megan Whitby and Jane Kitchen – you make the magazine what it is.
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 3
Editor's letter: Reflection point
As Spa Business celebrates its 20th birthday, Katie Barnes pauses for thought and rejoices in the industry’s evolution
Spa People: 20th anniversary issue: Anna Bjurstam
The strategic senior advisor at Six Senses and Raison d'Etre on being initiated as a shaman, why psychedelics are here to stay and her bigger fear for the global spa industry
Promotion: Klafs: Relax into wellbeing
Klafs and Studio F. A. Porsche have combined their design and wellness expertise to create an oasis for total-body relaxation
News report: Eastern promise
Japan’s spa industry is valued at US$4.2 billion and is part of the world's third highest-performing wellness economy
Jeremy McCarthy: Theory of evolution
From spa to wellness and now leisure – Spa Business’ contributing editor looks at where hospitality experiences are heading
Promotion: Lemi: Built to last
Lemi is committed to leading with innovation to create
cutting-edge treatment room solutions that excel
in terms of performance and eco-credentials
Promotion: G.M. COLLIN: Collagen pioneers
GM Collin’s expertise in collagen research and product formulation has resulted in the creation of a new serum that combats age-related skin degeneration
Promotion: Comfort Zone: A brighter future
Consumers are increasingly interested in reducing dark spots and hyperpigmentation and a new line from Comfort Zone has been launched to address this emerging need
Promotion: Art of Cryo: Life changing experience
Vikki and Robbie are often exhausted after work. A visit to the spa to experience
the Art of Cryo Tech-Spa Module is a chance to re-set and rejuvenate together
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.
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...]
