ISPA’s latest US industry study paints a positive picture for the future of US
spas, with the market showing strong signs of recovery, finds Megan Whitby
Spas across the US generated US$18.1bn (€17.2bn, £14.4bn) in revenues in 2021, marking an almost 50 per cent increase when compared to 2020 (US$12.1bn, €11.5bn, £9.7bn).
This is according to data from the 2022 US Spa Industry Study, conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) on behalf of the International Spa Association (ISPA).
The report, which is published annually, details overall revenue, number of spa visits, number of spas, revenue per visit and total employees for the US spa industry in 2021.
Findings signal encouraging news for market recovery, indicating revenue has nearly returned to 2019, pre-pandemic levels – US$19.1bn (€18.1n, £15.3bn) – an all-time high for the industry.
“We’re thrilled to report strong signs of recovery for our industry,” said ISPA president Lynne McNees. “We’re confident this positive trend will continue and we look forward to seeing how members use this new industry and consumer data to further elevate the industry.”
Visits and revenues up The 2022 report also found spa visits increased by nearly 40 per cent – shifting from 124 million in 2020 to 173 million in 2021. Revenue per visit received a boost too, jumping from US$97.50 (€92.65, £77.77) to US$104.50 (€99.30, £83.35), indicating a seven per cent rise.
The total number of employees rose 13.2 per cent from 304,800 in 2020 to 345,000 in 2021. ISPA splits this into full-time (162,800), part-time (167,100) and contracted staff (15,100) – which had declined slightly by 0.7%.
As of January 2022, 21,510 spas were recorded, compared to 21,560 in 2021*, which indicates a 0.2 per cent fall, but includes locations temporarily closed.
“This year’s study indicates a significant bounceback from the depths of the pandemic in 2020,” said Colin Mcilheney, global research leader at PwC. “The overall revenue growth, substantial increase in visits and sharp rise in revenue-per-visit are particularly encouraging as the industry continues its recovery.”
ISPA’s US Spa Industry Study has been published annually since 1999 and the latest edition saw responses from 2,300 spas. The study was unveiled at ISPA’s Conference & Expo in May at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. The association is set to release its full findings in July 2022.
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2022 issue 2
Editor's letter: The wellness metaverse
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Spa People: Michael Stusser
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Spa People: Scot Toon
The Asia MD of The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts unveils the company's latest island development plans
Project preview: Off-grid
Svart Six Senses is set to open in Norway in 2024, and redefine the meaning of sustainable wellness tourism and regenerative travel
Sponsored: Myrtha Wellness: watertight expertise
Myrtha has transformed the world of aquatics over the last 60 years. Now it’s bringing its ingenuity-driven expertise to the international wellness industry
Interview: Rainer Usselmann
Tech business Happy Finish is bringing metaverse-based experiences to the wellness sector, working with Wund
Everyone's talking about: Menopause
From taboo to hot topic – how can spas offer treatments and a safe space for women to explore this often challenging phase of life?
Research: Bounceback
PwC says the US spa market was worth US$1bn in 2021 and growing well, according to data from ISPA's latest industry-wide study
First person: An icon reborn
Fairmont unveils the stunning renovation of its iconic Century Plaza hotel in LA, and Rianna Riego checks out the new spa
Q&A: Magdaleena Nikolov
The GM of spa, wellness and retail at Fairmont
Century Plaza talks to Jane Kitchen
Q&A: Mia Kyricos
The wellness leader talks about the creation of her new trademarked framework for the development and delivery of wellness interventions
Sponsored: Art of Cryo: raising the bar
Art of Cryo is complementing its high
performance cryotherapy range with advanced
new technology to enhance treatment benefits
Mystery Shopper: The Londoner
Our reviewer travels undercover to check out the spa offering at The Londoner – one of the most high profile openings in the capital in recent times
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
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ISPA’s latest US industry study paints a positive picture for the future of US
spas, with the market showing strong signs of recovery, finds Megan Whitby
Spas across the US generated US$18.1bn (€17.2bn, £14.4bn) in revenues in 2021, marking an almost 50 per cent increase when compared to 2020 (US$12.1bn, €11.5bn, £9.7bn).
This is according to data from the 2022 US Spa Industry Study, conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) on behalf of the International Spa Association (ISPA).
The report, which is published annually, details overall revenue, number of spa visits, number of spas, revenue per visit and total employees for the US spa industry in 2021.
Findings signal encouraging news for market recovery, indicating revenue has nearly returned to 2019, pre-pandemic levels – US$19.1bn (€18.1n, £15.3bn) – an all-time high for the industry.
“We’re thrilled to report strong signs of recovery for our industry,” said ISPA president Lynne McNees. “We’re confident this positive trend will continue and we look forward to seeing how members use this new industry and consumer data to further elevate the industry.”
Visits and revenues up The 2022 report also found spa visits increased by nearly 40 per cent – shifting from 124 million in 2020 to 173 million in 2021. Revenue per visit received a boost too, jumping from US$97.50 (€92.65, £77.77) to US$104.50 (€99.30, £83.35), indicating a seven per cent rise.
The total number of employees rose 13.2 per cent from 304,800 in 2020 to 345,000 in 2021. ISPA splits this into full-time (162,800), part-time (167,100) and contracted staff (15,100) – which had declined slightly by 0.7%.
As of January 2022, 21,510 spas were recorded, compared to 21,560 in 2021*, which indicates a 0.2 per cent fall, but includes locations temporarily closed.
“This year’s study indicates a significant bounceback from the depths of the pandemic in 2020,” said Colin Mcilheney, global research leader at PwC. “The overall revenue growth, substantial increase in visits and sharp rise in revenue-per-visit are particularly encouraging as the industry continues its recovery.”
ISPA’s US Spa Industry Study has been published annually since 1999 and the latest edition saw responses from 2,300 spas. The study was unveiled at ISPA’s Conference & Expo in May at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. The association is set to release its full findings in July 2022.
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2022 issue 2
Editor's letter: The wellness metaverse
We’re being handed a powerful new tool that will become a channel for creativity and innovation – pioneering wellness operators are already getting to grips with its exciting potential
Spa People: Michael Stusser
The wellness pioneer explains how he created an authentic Japanese bathing experience in the heart of the California hills
Spa People: Scot Toon
The Asia MD of The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts unveils the company's latest island development plans
Project preview: Off-grid
Svart Six Senses is set to open in Norway in 2024, and redefine the meaning of sustainable wellness tourism and regenerative travel
Sponsored: Myrtha Wellness: watertight expertise
Myrtha has transformed the world of aquatics over the last 60 years. Now it’s bringing its ingenuity-driven expertise to the international wellness industry
Interview: Rainer Usselmann
Tech business Happy Finish is bringing metaverse-based experiences to the wellness sector, working with Wund
Everyone's talking about: Menopause
From taboo to hot topic – how can spas offer treatments and a safe space for women to explore this often challenging phase of life?
Research: Bounceback
PwC says the US spa market was worth US$1bn in 2021 and growing well, according to data from ISPA's latest industry-wide study
First person: An icon reborn
Fairmont unveils the stunning renovation of its iconic Century Plaza hotel in LA, and Rianna Riego checks out the new spa
Q&A: Magdaleena Nikolov
The GM of spa, wellness and retail at Fairmont
Century Plaza talks to Jane Kitchen
Q&A: Mia Kyricos
The wellness leader talks about the creation of her new trademarked framework for the development and delivery of wellness interventions
Sponsored: Art of Cryo: raising the bar
Art of Cryo is complementing its high
performance cryotherapy range with advanced
new technology to enhance treatment benefits
Mystery Shopper: The Londoner
Our reviewer travels undercover to check out the spa offering at The Londoner – one of the most high profile openings in the capital in recent times
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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