Andrew Gibson
Andrew Gibson Advisory
/ Andrew Gibson
What key innovations can you identify in the last 20 years? While innovation has been a vital element of our industry’s development, I believe the real growth and maturation of our sector is the result of 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.
Organisations have been created that are able to set standards and get recognition from the relevant authorities. Global networks, aided by industry media, have released valuable market research. Scientific evidence showing the efficacy of modalities enables society to trust our practitioners and for us to evaluate our offerings, moving beyond gimmicks and questionable claims to credible experiences. Today the spa industry is also supported with training, careers and a network that encourages innovation.
Who have been the biggest influencers? Susie Ellis and the board behind the Global Spa Summit (now GWS) which was formed in 2007; Belgin Aksoy who spearheads Global Wellness Day; Deborah Szekely who’s inspired so many careers and projects around the world; and the International Spa Association with its annual US Spa Industry Study and valuable support network.
From a personal perspective, I also recognise the leaders of global hotel companies who believed in wellness 20 years ago – Sonu Shivdasani at Six Senses; KP Ho from Banyan Tree and Edouard Ettedgui at Mandarin Oriental – because they paved the way for the expansion of spas into hotels.
What’s holding the industry back? We’re not effectively demonstrating the true value of hotel spas because we don’t have the data to prove suppositions.
Properties are still measuring the success of a spa on the departmental P&L with little statistical evidence that facilities contribute anything more. Most spas are still considered a necessary burden and since COVID, some are questioning the validity of a manned facility at all.
We’ve collectively failed to prove that a good spa and skilled therapists improve the average length of stay, repeat business and increase total guest spend. With more success in this area, we’d certainly attract more investors, innovators and leaders.
Birthday message to Spa Business
"With a reputation for unbiased factual reporting, a global network that keeps us informed and an engaging style, Spa Business is one of the most influential reads for anyone wanting to understand our business"
More from spa industry leaders...
In celebration of Spa Business’ 20th anniversary, industry leaders take a look at how far the sector has come since the magazine’s inception in 2003, share personal career highlights and reveal their plans and ideas for the future.
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...]
Andrew Gibson
Andrew Gibson Advisory
/ Andrew Gibson
What key innovations can you identify in the last 20 years? While innovation has been a vital element of our industry’s development, I believe the real growth and maturation of our sector is the result of 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.
Organisations have been created that are able to set standards and get recognition from the relevant authorities. Global networks, aided by industry media, have released valuable market research. Scientific evidence showing the efficacy of modalities enables society to trust our practitioners and for us to evaluate our offerings, moving beyond gimmicks and questionable claims to credible experiences. Today the spa industry is also supported with training, careers and a network that encourages innovation.
Who have been the biggest influencers? Susie Ellis and the board behind the Global Spa Summit (now GWS) which was formed in 2007; Belgin Aksoy who spearheads Global Wellness Day; Deborah Szekely who’s inspired so many careers and projects around the world; and the International Spa Association with its annual US Spa Industry Study and valuable support network.
From a personal perspective, I also recognise the leaders of global hotel companies who believed in wellness 20 years ago – Sonu Shivdasani at Six Senses; KP Ho from Banyan Tree and Edouard Ettedgui at Mandarin Oriental – because they paved the way for the expansion of spas into hotels.
What’s holding the industry back? We’re not effectively demonstrating the true value of hotel spas because we don’t have the data to prove suppositions.
Properties are still measuring the success of a spa on the departmental P&L with little statistical evidence that facilities contribute anything more. Most spas are still considered a necessary burden and since COVID, some are questioning the validity of a manned facility at all.
We’ve collectively failed to prove that a good spa and skilled therapists improve the average length of stay, repeat business and increase total guest spend. With more success in this area, we’d certainly attract more investors, innovators and leaders.
Birthday message to Spa Business
"With a reputation for unbiased factual reporting, a global network that keeps us informed and an engaging style, Spa Business is one of the most influential reads for anyone wanting to understand our business"
More from spa industry leaders...
In celebration of Spa Business’ 20th anniversary, industry leaders take a look at how far the sector has come since the magazine’s inception in 2003, share personal career highlights and reveal their plans and ideas for the future.
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
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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