Japan has around 30,000 hot spring inns known as ryokans / photo: shutterstock/K-Angle
Japan’s wellness economy is worth US$303 billion (€283 billion, £242.6 billion) which makes it one of the most successful in the world, trumped only by the US at US$1.2 trillion (€1.1 trillion, £994.3 billion) and China at US$683 billion, (€637.4 billion, £546.3 billion).
This is based on data that’s just been revealed by the Global Wellness Institute (GWI). It focuses on 12 sub-sectors that GWI uses to measure the US$4.4 trillion (€4.1 trillion, £3.6 trillion) global wellness economy.
Sub-sector rankings The country’s three most lucrative wellness markets include personal care and beauty (US$105.9 billion, €98.8 billion, £84.7 billion), healthy eating (US$70.1 billion, €65.4 billion, £56.1 billion) and physical activity (US$41 billion, €38.2 billion, £32.8 billion).
Wellness real estate is one of the fastest-moving markets. It grew from US$2.5 billion (€2.3 billion, £2 billion) in 2017 to US$11.5 billion (€10.7 billion, £9.2 billion) in 2020.
Meanwhile, spa-related markets come lower down the rankings. Traditional and complementary medicine in Japan is valued at US$16.7 billion (€15.5 billion, £13.3 billion), thermal and mineral springs at US$9.2 billion (€8.5 billion), £7.4 billion) and spas at US$4.2 billion (€3.9 billion, £3.4 billion).
Geography of wellness The new data came to light after the GWI added Japan to its Geography of Wellness website. Launched last year, the platform gives a deep dive into a country’s distinctive wellness assets.
Other nations featured include Brazil, Singapore, Thailand, the UK, the US and Indonesia.
“Japan is an amazing example of a sustainable, strong wellness economy,” says Susie Ellis, GWI chair and CEO.
GWI partnered with Conceptasia and Fukui Wellness Collaboration to unveil the findings.
“Japan’s ancient customs heavily inspire our wellness culture today,” explains Yoriko Soma, CEO of Conceptasia. “These include onsen and forest bathing, hiking, a culture of cleanliness, a healthful diet and focus on martial arts based in the Zen mindset.”
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...]
Japan has around 30,000 hot spring inns known as ryokans / photo: shutterstock/K-Angle
Japan’s wellness economy is worth US$303 billion (€283 billion, £242.6 billion) which makes it one of the most successful in the world, trumped only by the US at US$1.2 trillion (€1.1 trillion, £994.3 billion) and China at US$683 billion, (€637.4 billion, £546.3 billion).
This is based on data that’s just been revealed by the Global Wellness Institute (GWI). It focuses on 12 sub-sectors that GWI uses to measure the US$4.4 trillion (€4.1 trillion, £3.6 trillion) global wellness economy.
Sub-sector rankings The country’s three most lucrative wellness markets include personal care and beauty (US$105.9 billion, €98.8 billion, £84.7 billion), healthy eating (US$70.1 billion, €65.4 billion, £56.1 billion) and physical activity (US$41 billion, €38.2 billion, £32.8 billion).
Wellness real estate is one of the fastest-moving markets. It grew from US$2.5 billion (€2.3 billion, £2 billion) in 2017 to US$11.5 billion (€10.7 billion, £9.2 billion) in 2020.
Meanwhile, spa-related markets come lower down the rankings. Traditional and complementary medicine in Japan is valued at US$16.7 billion (€15.5 billion, £13.3 billion), thermal and mineral springs at US$9.2 billion (€8.5 billion), £7.4 billion) and spas at US$4.2 billion (€3.9 billion, £3.4 billion).
Geography of wellness The new data came to light after the GWI added Japan to its Geography of Wellness website. Launched last year, the platform gives a deep dive into a country’s distinctive wellness assets.
Other nations featured include Brazil, Singapore, Thailand, the UK, the US and Indonesia.
“Japan is an amazing example of a sustainable, strong wellness economy,” says Susie Ellis, GWI chair and CEO.
GWI partnered with Conceptasia and Fukui Wellness Collaboration to unveil the findings.
“Japan’s ancient customs heavily inspire our wellness culture today,” explains Yoriko Soma, CEO of Conceptasia. “These include onsen and forest bathing, hiking, a culture of cleanliness, a healthful diet and focus on martial arts based in the Zen mindset.”
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
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.
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.
+ More news
COMPANY PROFILES
TechnoAlpin Indoor TechnoAlpin is the world leader for snowmaking systems. With the Indoor snow division, TechnoAlpin c [more...]
instantprint We’re a Yorkshire-based online printer, founded
in 2009 by Adam Carnell and James Kinsella. [more...]
Painting With Light By combining lighting, video, scenic and architectural elements, sound and special effects we tell s [more...]
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...]
