What are your pivotal career moments? Failures are valuable lessons. For me, a sleep crisis at a tumultuous time led me to Rishikesh, India, to learn to meditate. That led to a silent retreat, which in turn opened the door to a new passion for wellbeing and writing a column in the Financial Times called Spa Junkie. I realised my dreams and have been in the industry for more than 15 years.
What industry innovations can you identify? The greatest period of innovation is upon us, we are living it. Testing and diagnostic tools enable us to truly customise experiences. At-home testing, such as glucose trackers, will lead to more targeted and effective aftercare and create deeper, longer-term relationships between spas and clients.
There’s no denying the impact AI chatbots will have. However, I’m most excited about AI-assisted data analysis and screening in preventative health.
Plant medicine, including the use of psilocybin and ayahuasca, is becoming mainstream. Although still in the early stages of research and regulation, they show promise in addressing mental health challenges and promoting overall wellbeing.
What business models are the most exciting? We’re seeing great success with fast beauty franchises and have started rolling out FaceGym in hotels worldwide.
On the other side of the coin, we’re co-designing human optimisation centres with some of the biggest scientists and innovators in the space. We’re taking age reversal technologies and longevity protocols and plugging them into uber high-end wellbeing clubs and hotel suites.
What do you still hope to accomplish? I’m very excited about our new own-brand skincare, bodycare and hotel amenity division.
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
What are your pivotal career moments? Failures are valuable lessons. For me, a sleep crisis at a tumultuous time led me to Rishikesh, India, to learn to meditate. That led to a silent retreat, which in turn opened the door to a new passion for wellbeing and writing a column in the Financial Times called Spa Junkie. I realised my dreams and have been in the industry for more than 15 years.
What industry innovations can you identify? The greatest period of innovation is upon us, we are living it. Testing and diagnostic tools enable us to truly customise experiences. At-home testing, such as glucose trackers, will lead to more targeted and effective aftercare and create deeper, longer-term relationships between spas and clients.
There’s no denying the impact AI chatbots will have. However, I’m most excited about AI-assisted data analysis and screening in preventative health.
Plant medicine, including the use of psilocybin and ayahuasca, is becoming mainstream. Although still in the early stages of research and regulation, they show promise in addressing mental health challenges and promoting overall wellbeing.
What business models are the most exciting? We’re seeing great success with fast beauty franchises and have started rolling out FaceGym in hotels worldwide.
On the other side of the coin, we’re co-designing human optimisation centres with some of the biggest scientists and innovators in the space. We’re taking age reversal technologies and longevity protocols and plugging them into uber high-end wellbeing clubs and hotel suites.
What do you still hope to accomplish? I’m very excited about our new own-brand skincare, bodycare and hotel amenity division.
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
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.
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.
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