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Spa People: 20th anniversary issue
Derek Barton

With users highlighting their experiences on social media, the world has become a very small place


What’s your biggest life lesson?
Always listen to your customer. And position your business so that you’re able to take advantage of opportunities which present themselves. But we have multiple clients – from the people who pay for our designs and installations, to the bathers using the facilities who highlight their experiences on social media. The world has become a very small place indeed.

How has the industry evolved?
The way in which spa has changed from an elite service and is no longer a pursuit of only the wealthy. Spa is now a mainstream business. Physical, mental and emotional care is within the public mainstay – a part of everyday life – and more important than ever.
Birthday message to Spa Business

"Spa Business is an invaluable resource. It covers the many elements of running a spa – design, building, fit-out, operation, finance and management – allowing companies specialising in any of these stages to share experiences and connect"

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.

View next: Amanda Al-Masri

Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine

View contents of Attractions Management 2023 issue 3
Derek Barton

Spa People: 20th anniversary issue

Derek Barton

Current article
Barr+Wray counts the Karl Lagerfeld hotel as one of its clients
Barr+Wray counts the Karl Lagerfeld hotel as one of its clients / photo: barr+wray
COMPANY PROFILES
Taylor Made Designs

Founded in 1993, Taylor Made Designs supply corporate clothing and brand-enhancing merchandise to [more...]
QubicaAMF UK

QubicaAMF is the largest and most innovative bowling equipment provider with 600 employees worldwi [more...]
IAAPA EMEA

IAAPA Expo Europe was established in 2006 and has grown to the largest international conference and [more...]
IDEATTACK

IDEATTACK is a full-service planning and design company with headquarters in Los Angeles. [more...]
+ More profiles  
FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
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...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
 

+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
29 Sep - 02 Oct 2026

Synergy - The Retreat Show

Pical Resort, Valamar Collection, Porec, Croatia
+ More diary  
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Get Attractions Management digital magazine FREE
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Jobs    News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
Spa People: 20th anniversary issue
Derek Barton

With users highlighting their experiences on social media, the world has become a very small place


What’s your biggest life lesson?
Always listen to your customer. And position your business so that you’re able to take advantage of opportunities which present themselves. But we have multiple clients – from the people who pay for our designs and installations, to the bathers using the facilities who highlight their experiences on social media. The world has become a very small place indeed.

How has the industry evolved?
The way in which spa has changed from an elite service and is no longer a pursuit of only the wealthy. Spa is now a mainstream business. Physical, mental and emotional care is within the public mainstay – a part of everyday life – and more important than ever.
Birthday message to Spa Business

"Spa Business is an invaluable resource. It covers the many elements of running a spa – design, building, fit-out, operation, finance and management – allowing companies specialising in any of these stages to share experiences and connect"

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.

View next: Amanda Al-Masri

Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine

View contents of Attractions Management 2023 issue 3
Derek Barton

Spa People: 20th anniversary issue

Derek Barton

Current article
Barr+Wray counts the Karl Lagerfeld hotel as one of its clients
Barr+Wray counts the Karl Lagerfeld hotel as one of its clients / photo: barr+wray
LATEST NEWS
Butterfly sanctuary to host hot yoga during retreat at Jersey Zoo for Hotel de France
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.
Warner Bros Discovery collaborates on upcoming Pompeii attraction
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.
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
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.
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
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 reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
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 expands family offer with new Hooghmoed drop tower
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.
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
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 upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
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.
UK government cuts VAT on attractions to boost summer visitor economy
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.
Joy as a radical act: Yinka Ilori launches solo exhibition celebrating the rebellious power of spreading happiness
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).
Government of Thailand reveals it is courting major theme park operators
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.
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
Taylor Made Designs

Founded in 1993, Taylor Made Designs supply corporate clothing and brand-enhancing merchandise to [more...]
QubicaAMF UK

QubicaAMF is the largest and most innovative bowling equipment provider with 600 employees worldwi [more...]
IAAPA EMEA

IAAPA Expo Europe was established in 2006 and has grown to the largest international conference and [more...]
IDEATTACK

IDEATTACK is a full-service planning and design company with headquarters in Los Angeles. [more...]
+ More profiles  
FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
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...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
29 Sep - 02 Oct 2026

Synergy - The Retreat Show

Pical Resort, Valamar Collection, Porec, Croatia
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
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LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
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