Leading spas are starting to offer DNA testing as the ultimate way to personalise services (see p56). However, molecular biologist Dr Tom Stubbs is taking the science a step further. He’s the co-founder and CEO of Chronomics, a UK startup which lays claim to being the first company to bring epigenetic testing directly to the customer.
He says: “Our genome – 3.2 billion letters of information – is fixed from birth. That’s your DNA. But your lifestyle and the environment have an influence on how that information expresses itself.
“Epigenetics testing gives the most accurate measure of your biological age – using real data that you can act upon to improve your health now and in the future.”
Stubbs says Chronomics uses next generation sequencing technology to test around 5 million epigenetic marks on DNA, combined with machine learning to predict how factors such as sleep, nutrition and pollution could be affecting your health today.
Its Biological Age test, which costs £399 (US$522, €464) a year, involves a saliva swab to assess epigenetic marks and in-depth lifestyle questionnaire. Results are processed in a lab and then over the next 12 months consumers have access to health and lifestyle coaches and DNA experts.
They log onto a dashboard loaded with their results, receive bespoke Chronomics health and lifestyle support, and progress tracking. They also have access to one-to-one coaching calls to help with mindset and implementation.
“We believe we’re the first company to offer this level of support after customers receive results,” says Stubbs, adding that they aim is to “reduce their risk of chronic and age-related diseases by up to 80 per cent.”
Chronomics is also now working with dozens of wellness providers – in corporate wellness, private healthcare and spas both in the UK and internationally. He says: “Some want to use their own experts to deliver the recommended lifestyle changes, while others need us to provide the whole service.”
Stubbs concludes: “The advent of consumer DNA testing brought a sense that things were predetermined and people couldn’t do much about it. Epigenetics, however, can push back against that part of their story, and help them to choose a better path of preventative wellbeing.”
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2019 issue 2
Promotional feature: Lemi - Italian Touch
From humble beginnings in a small Italian village, Lemi has grown a hugely successful global business in the massage bed market. As it celebrates its 30th anniversary year, we talk to GM Matteo Brusaferri
Spa Programmes: On the menu
Olivia Newton-John skincare, Sounds of Africa and jet lag butlers feature in our programming series
Interview: Dale Hipsh
The senior VP of hotels at Hard Rock International tells Katie Barnes why its music-centric spa menu is striking the right chord with consumers and the media
Promotional feature: ISPA
After almost three decades serving members and contributing to the growth of the industry, we talk to ISPA’s Crystal Ducker about the work of the association and the future of spa
Spa Design: Jungle VIP
Kim Megson ventures deep into Mexico’s jungle to discover how two Chablé resorts with Mayan spas are aiming to redefine wellness
Interview: John & Karina Stewart
The inspirational couple behind Kamalaya in Thailand talk to Neena Dhillon about emotional therapies, why stress-busting is the new detox and how they’re evolving the concept
Promotional feature: Gharieni - Luxury Recognition
Gharieni has long been known as an industry innovator. Now, Forbes Travel Guide has named the company as its official Spa & Wellness Equipment Manufacturer. Sammy Gharieni tells us more
Promotional feature: Comfort Zone - Beauty Reloaded
Skincare brand Comfort Zone has partnered with Wellness for Cancer to create a new programme of spa treatments for people touched by cancer. Barbara Gavazzoli tells us more
Family spa: Multi-story
With the rise in multi-generational tourism, family spas are growing in popularity. Jane Kitchen reports
Software: Training & education
From bespoke training programmes to 24/7 support teams and company super-users, how are software suppliers helping spas get the most out of their systems?
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...]
Leading spas are starting to offer DNA testing as the ultimate way to personalise services (see p56). However, molecular biologist Dr Tom Stubbs is taking the science a step further. He’s the co-founder and CEO of Chronomics, a UK startup which lays claim to being the first company to bring epigenetic testing directly to the customer.
He says: “Our genome – 3.2 billion letters of information – is fixed from birth. That’s your DNA. But your lifestyle and the environment have an influence on how that information expresses itself.
“Epigenetics testing gives the most accurate measure of your biological age – using real data that you can act upon to improve your health now and in the future.”
Stubbs says Chronomics uses next generation sequencing technology to test around 5 million epigenetic marks on DNA, combined with machine learning to predict how factors such as sleep, nutrition and pollution could be affecting your health today.
Its Biological Age test, which costs £399 (US$522, €464) a year, involves a saliva swab to assess epigenetic marks and in-depth lifestyle questionnaire. Results are processed in a lab and then over the next 12 months consumers have access to health and lifestyle coaches and DNA experts.
They log onto a dashboard loaded with their results, receive bespoke Chronomics health and lifestyle support, and progress tracking. They also have access to one-to-one coaching calls to help with mindset and implementation.
“We believe we’re the first company to offer this level of support after customers receive results,” says Stubbs, adding that they aim is to “reduce their risk of chronic and age-related diseases by up to 80 per cent.”
Chronomics is also now working with dozens of wellness providers – in corporate wellness, private healthcare and spas both in the UK and internationally. He says: “Some want to use their own experts to deliver the recommended lifestyle changes, while others need us to provide the whole service.”
Stubbs concludes: “The advent of consumer DNA testing brought a sense that things were predetermined and people couldn’t do much about it. Epigenetics, however, can push back against that part of their story, and help them to choose a better path of preventative wellbeing.”
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2019 issue 2
Promotional feature: Lemi - Italian Touch
From humble beginnings in a small Italian village, Lemi has grown a hugely successful global business in the massage bed market. As it celebrates its 30th anniversary year, we talk to GM Matteo Brusaferri
Spa Programmes: On the menu
Olivia Newton-John skincare, Sounds of Africa and jet lag butlers feature in our programming series
Interview: Dale Hipsh
The senior VP of hotels at Hard Rock International tells Katie Barnes why its music-centric spa menu is striking the right chord with consumers and the media
Promotional feature: ISPA
After almost three decades serving members and contributing to the growth of the industry, we talk to ISPA’s Crystal Ducker about the work of the association and the future of spa
Spa Design: Jungle VIP
Kim Megson ventures deep into Mexico’s jungle to discover how two Chablé resorts with Mayan spas are aiming to redefine wellness
Interview: John & Karina Stewart
The inspirational couple behind Kamalaya in Thailand talk to Neena Dhillon about emotional therapies, why stress-busting is the new detox and how they’re evolving the concept
Promotional feature: Gharieni - Luxury Recognition
Gharieni has long been known as an industry innovator. Now, Forbes Travel Guide has named the company as its official Spa & Wellness Equipment Manufacturer. Sammy Gharieni tells us more
Promotional feature: Comfort Zone - Beauty Reloaded
Skincare brand Comfort Zone has partnered with Wellness for Cancer to create a new programme of spa treatments for people touched by cancer. Barbara Gavazzoli tells us more
Family spa: Multi-story
With the rise in multi-generational tourism, family spas are growing in popularity. Jane Kitchen reports
Software: Training & education
From bespoke training programmes to 24/7 support teams and company super-users, how are software suppliers helping spas get the most out of their systems?
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.
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...]
