Although most spa and wellness journeys take place within the built environment, insightful operators are embracing nature within and without, harnessing its healing powers to help customers find peace
Consumers are responding to the healing power of nature / photo: six senses Brazil
Huge energy, investment and love are going into the creation of the next generation of spa and wellness facilities, making them some of the most stunning buildings on earth.
In this issue we enjoy a look at a number of new developments globally, including Lanserhof Sylt (p66), with its beautiful thatched roof, Banyan Tree Veya (p20) and Soneva Soul (p86), the latest concept from creative powerhouse, Sonu and Eva Shivdasani.
It’s timely that our coverage of Soneva Soul features in the same edition of Spa Business as our interview with Neil Jacobs, CEO of Six Senses – a business started by Sonu and Eva that’s being realised as a truly global eco brand by the talented Six Senses team (p34).
It’s exciting to see such great architecture in our market and the buildings being created play a huge part in delivering the guest experience, but the real hero of the story is nature – whether the sand dunes of Sylt, the tropical forests of the Maldives or the icy waters of the Arctic.
As humanity grapples with challenges from war to drought, unfiltered, authentic access to the healing power of the natural world is increasingly in demand. I’d go as far as to say it’s as important as water in delivering healing journeys – perhaps our rallying cry should evolve from salus per aquam to salus per natura?
On page 12, economist Thierry Mallaret flags it up, saying: “One of the most significant trends is the remarkable emergence of nature in the wellness space. Nature is a formidable antidote to many of today’s ills. It makes us feel good, eases psychological and physical pain and is associated with a multitude of health benefits.”
Mallaret says operators not tuning in to this powerful trend will find themselves in a ‘precarious situation’.
This flight to nature chimes powerfully with another trend we’re spotting – a growing interest in emotional healing, and on page 74, Spa Business editor-at-large, Jane Kitchen, talks to operators around the world who are creating and delivering a new generation of healing interventions to support guests in finding peace among the chaos.
Whatever your work, now’s the time to get closer to nature, finding ways to integrate it into your business at every level, for the benefit of your own health and wellbeing and that of your people and your customers.
Liz Terry, Spa Business editorial director [email protected]
@elizterry
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2022 issue 3
Editor's letter: Salus per natura
Although great buildings lie at the heart of the spa and wellness experience, operators are turning to nature to deliver healing journeys, says Liz Terry
Spa People: Thierry Malleret
We talk to the economist behind Monthly Barometer about key trends emerging in the wellness sector, such as a greater connection with nature
Spa People: Verena Lasvigne
The founder of VLF Spa Consulting shares her learnings from a career running spas on three continents
Spa People: Kim Weller
The wellbeing director of Banyan Tree tells us about the rollout of the company's new brand, Veya – for mind/body wellness
New opening: Loisium Spa
A look at the new luxurious spa situated at the heart of France's celebrated Champagne region
Interview: Neil Jacobs
The CEO of Six Senses talks about creating an eco-system around the brand to deliver hotels, clubs, residential, offices and resorts
Project preview: Next generation wellness
We take our first look at Tulah, the new clinical wellness retreat brand about to make its debut in Kerala, India, and speak to its CEO
ISPA Research: Rate of recovery
Russell Donaldson digs deeper into ISPA's 2022 US Spa Industry Study and considers the industry's resurgence since the end of pandemic lockdowns
Sponsored: Gharieni: Delivering results
Innovation is the hallmark of Gharieni experiences, meeting the rapidly
evolving needs of wellness seekers within the spa and wellness environment
New opening: Lanserhof Sylt
Lisa Starr reports on the industry's eagerly awaited wellness experience – nestled within sand dunes on the German island of Sylt
Healing: Emotional rescue
As people increasingly seek support for their emotional wellbeing, Jane Kitchen talks to the operators who are digging deeper to deliver genuine transformation
Promotion: TechnoAlpin: Powerful contrast
Spa clients can enjoy super-cool relaxation and pain-relief at Sächsische Staatsbäder in Bad Brambach thanks to a TechnoAlpin SnowRoom
Concept: Soneva Soul
The CEO and co-founder of Soneva, Sonu Shivdasani, talks about the philosophy behind the company's new wellness concept, Soneva Soul
Although most spa and wellness journeys take place within the built environment, insightful operators are embracing nature within and without, harnessing its healing powers to help customers find peace
Consumers are responding to the healing power of nature / photo: six senses Brazil
Huge energy, investment and love are going into the creation of the next generation of spa and wellness facilities, making them some of the most stunning buildings on earth.
In this issue we enjoy a look at a number of new developments globally, including Lanserhof Sylt (p66), with its beautiful thatched roof, Banyan Tree Veya (p20) and Soneva Soul (p86), the latest concept from creative powerhouse, Sonu and Eva Shivdasani.
It’s timely that our coverage of Soneva Soul features in the same edition of Spa Business as our interview with Neil Jacobs, CEO of Six Senses – a business started by Sonu and Eva that’s being realised as a truly global eco brand by the talented Six Senses team (p34).
It’s exciting to see such great architecture in our market and the buildings being created play a huge part in delivering the guest experience, but the real hero of the story is nature – whether the sand dunes of Sylt, the tropical forests of the Maldives or the icy waters of the Arctic.
As humanity grapples with challenges from war to drought, unfiltered, authentic access to the healing power of the natural world is increasingly in demand. I’d go as far as to say it’s as important as water in delivering healing journeys – perhaps our rallying cry should evolve from salus per aquam to salus per natura?
On page 12, economist Thierry Mallaret flags it up, saying: “One of the most significant trends is the remarkable emergence of nature in the wellness space. Nature is a formidable antidote to many of today’s ills. It makes us feel good, eases psychological and physical pain and is associated with a multitude of health benefits.”
Mallaret says operators not tuning in to this powerful trend will find themselves in a ‘precarious situation’.
This flight to nature chimes powerfully with another trend we’re spotting – a growing interest in emotional healing, and on page 74, Spa Business editor-at-large, Jane Kitchen, talks to operators around the world who are creating and delivering a new generation of healing interventions to support guests in finding peace among the chaos.
Whatever your work, now’s the time to get closer to nature, finding ways to integrate it into your business at every level, for the benefit of your own health and wellbeing and that of your people and your customers.
Liz Terry, Spa Business editorial director [email protected]
@elizterry
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2022 issue 3
Editor's letter: Salus per natura
Although great buildings lie at the heart of the spa and wellness experience, operators are turning to nature to deliver healing journeys, says Liz Terry
Spa People: Thierry Malleret
We talk to the economist behind Monthly Barometer about key trends emerging in the wellness sector, such as a greater connection with nature
Spa People: Verena Lasvigne
The founder of VLF Spa Consulting shares her learnings from a career running spas on three continents
Spa People: Kim Weller
The wellbeing director of Banyan Tree tells us about the rollout of the company's new brand, Veya – for mind/body wellness
New opening: Loisium Spa
A look at the new luxurious spa situated at the heart of France's celebrated Champagne region
Interview: Neil Jacobs
The CEO of Six Senses talks about creating an eco-system around the brand to deliver hotels, clubs, residential, offices and resorts
Project preview: Next generation wellness
We take our first look at Tulah, the new clinical wellness retreat brand about to make its debut in Kerala, India, and speak to its CEO
ISPA Research: Rate of recovery
Russell Donaldson digs deeper into ISPA's 2022 US Spa Industry Study and considers the industry's resurgence since the end of pandemic lockdowns
Sponsored: Gharieni: Delivering results
Innovation is the hallmark of Gharieni experiences, meeting the rapidly
evolving needs of wellness seekers within the spa and wellness environment
New opening: Lanserhof Sylt
Lisa Starr reports on the industry's eagerly awaited wellness experience – nestled within sand dunes on the German island of Sylt
Healing: Emotional rescue
As people increasingly seek support for their emotional wellbeing, Jane Kitchen talks to the operators who are digging deeper to deliver genuine transformation
Promotion: TechnoAlpin: Powerful contrast
Spa clients can enjoy super-cool relaxation and pain-relief at Sächsische Staatsbäder in Bad Brambach thanks to a TechnoAlpin SnowRoom
Concept: Soneva Soul
The CEO and co-founder of Soneva, Sonu Shivdasani, talks about the philosophy behind the company's new wellness concept, Soneva Soul
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.
