Jeremy McCarthy, Mandarin Oriental
/ photo: Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
How has the industry evolved? The biggest change I’ve observed is the rise of awareness around mental wellbeing. I came to the spa industry with an academic background in psychology and was always thinking about the psychological and emotional impact of the spa experience. But it’s only in the last 15 years or so, as a consequence of our deepening relationship with technology, the increasing pace of change and the gradual erosion of traditional family and social networks, that mental wellbeing has taken a prominent place in the minds of consumers.
What do you wish had been invented? In college, over 30 years ago, I had a chance to try one of the first experimental virtual reality systems. I was excited about what this technology could do, but it’s now three decades later and I’ve not really seen a wellbeing application of VR that’s taken off.
What will have the biggest impact on spas? Technology will continue to be the largest disruptor of human wellbeing – interfering with sleep, relationships, safety, work-life balance, physical movement and mindfulness. As that continues, the need and demand for quintessentially non-digital experiences will also grow.
Spas play an important role in the age of technology, giving people a place to disconnect, indulge in silence and receive touch and nurturing interactions with caring human beings. The increasing scarcity of these kinds of experiences makes them luxuries of the modern era.
What’s your hope for the industry? I’m a big believer in the timeless aspects of spas so I’d say the spa of the future should look much like the spas of the past – a place that’s soothing and serves as an escape from the stresses of daily life, a multisensory experience. It will be somewhere that offers therapeutic modalities using heat, water and other natural elements, that provides a sense of slowness enabling guests to regather energy and that has nurturing, empathetic healers who guide people on their own path to wholeness.
Birthday message to Spa Business
"Spa Business is an incredible resource. I turn to it again and again for ideas, education and inspiration"
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
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...]
Jeremy McCarthy, Mandarin Oriental
/ photo: Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
How has the industry evolved? The biggest change I’ve observed is the rise of awareness around mental wellbeing. I came to the spa industry with an academic background in psychology and was always thinking about the psychological and emotional impact of the spa experience. But it’s only in the last 15 years or so, as a consequence of our deepening relationship with technology, the increasing pace of change and the gradual erosion of traditional family and social networks, that mental wellbeing has taken a prominent place in the minds of consumers.
What do you wish had been invented? In college, over 30 years ago, I had a chance to try one of the first experimental virtual reality systems. I was excited about what this technology could do, but it’s now three decades later and I’ve not really seen a wellbeing application of VR that’s taken off.
What will have the biggest impact on spas? Technology will continue to be the largest disruptor of human wellbeing – interfering with sleep, relationships, safety, work-life balance, physical movement and mindfulness. As that continues, the need and demand for quintessentially non-digital experiences will also grow.
Spas play an important role in the age of technology, giving people a place to disconnect, indulge in silence and receive touch and nurturing interactions with caring human beings. The increasing scarcity of these kinds of experiences makes them luxuries of the modern era.
What’s your hope for the industry? I’m a big believer in the timeless aspects of spas so I’d say the spa of the future should look much like the spas of the past – a place that’s soothing and serves as an escape from the stresses of daily life, a multisensory experience. It will be somewhere that offers therapeutic modalities using heat, water and other natural elements, that provides a sense of slowness enabling guests to regather energy and that has nurturing, empathetic healers who guide people on their own path to wholeness.
Birthday message to Spa Business
"Spa Business is an incredible resource. I turn to it again and again for ideas, education and inspiration"
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
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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An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally
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