What have been the most pivotal moments in your career? In 2002, I moved to Dubai to work at the Burj al Arab and this was the start of my journey in the spa, wellness and luxury hospitality space. It was a steep learning curve but the knowledge I accrued still serves me well.
Joining Accor in 2018 was also a significant milestone that has seen me work globally in the wellness realm.
Who have been the biggest industry influencers? We should remember the positive impact ESPA had on our industry in its early days, as well as the foundations laid by Mandarin Oriental spas, started by Ingo Schweder and Fairmont’s Willow Stream spas led by Anne McCall.
Six Senses, which I was fortunate enough to work for, was a passionate advocate of wellness and sustainability well before it became mainstream in hospitality and should be congratulated for what it’s achieved.
What spa models are coming down the track? I’m really excited by the interface of technology and spa. Nothing will replace the power of human interaction and touch therapists, but the advances in medi-tech over the past 20 years have been incredible and I truly believe it will have a dramatic role in helping people live better for longer.
How can the industry realise its true potential? We still lag in terms of sales and marketing planning and execution. We also need to see better commercial education of future leaders as they develop and enter the workforce.
Meanwhile, the current boom in social bathing is a great example of how we can embrace a business model that’s more affordable and that’s understood by and accessible to a broader demographic.
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 have been the most pivotal moments in your career? In 2002, I moved to Dubai to work at the Burj al Arab and this was the start of my journey in the spa, wellness and luxury hospitality space. It was a steep learning curve but the knowledge I accrued still serves me well.
Joining Accor in 2018 was also a significant milestone that has seen me work globally in the wellness realm.
Who have been the biggest industry influencers? We should remember the positive impact ESPA had on our industry in its early days, as well as the foundations laid by Mandarin Oriental spas, started by Ingo Schweder and Fairmont’s Willow Stream spas led by Anne McCall.
Six Senses, which I was fortunate enough to work for, was a passionate advocate of wellness and sustainability well before it became mainstream in hospitality and should be congratulated for what it’s achieved.
What spa models are coming down the track? I’m really excited by the interface of technology and spa. Nothing will replace the power of human interaction and touch therapists, but the advances in medi-tech over the past 20 years have been incredible and I truly believe it will have a dramatic role in helping people live better for longer.
How can the industry realise its true potential? We still lag in terms of sales and marketing planning and execution. We also need to see better commercial education of future leaders as they develop and enter the workforce.
Meanwhile, the current boom in social bathing is a great example of how we can embrace a business model that’s more affordable and that’s understood by and accessible to a broader demographic.
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.
