Mark Hennebry, Ensana
/ photo: Ensana Health Spa Hotels
What have been your career highlights? During a dire recession in Ireland, is it the day I saw a vacancy for a job in Hong Kong and was on a plane three weeks later becoming an economic migrant like millions of others? Or is it the day I went for an interview in Phuket and on walking into the hotel, knowing with absolute certainty that I’d found my ‘home’?
There have been many other such inflexion points when I needed to make career decisions. I subscribe to the concept that there’s no such thing as a right/wrong choice – just a different one.
Who have been the biggest influencers? Banyan Tree opened its flagship site in Phuket in 1994 and was one of the first to design a spa concept as an integral part of the hotel offering, rather than just as an afterthought. Many brands have followed suit to varying degrees of success. Today Banyan Tree remains a phenomenal force and it has also added complementary brands that segment the market.
What will have the greatest impact on spas? The democratisation of health will be hugely influential. Ultra-luxury spas are wonderful. However, spas that build their business model around a much wider and deeper market segment at accessible price points, will, I believe, develop a long-term sustainable future.
What do you still hope to accomplish? The creation of Ensana just four years ago laid the foundations for a new brand in Europe based on integrative health – fusing local natural resources such as thermal water and mud with expert medical knowledge to offer treatments that support people’s health. We’re only at the start of this journey and doubling the size of the business in the next 10 years is an achievable goal.
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...]
Mark Hennebry, Ensana
/ photo: Ensana Health Spa Hotels
What have been your career highlights? During a dire recession in Ireland, is it the day I saw a vacancy for a job in Hong Kong and was on a plane three weeks later becoming an economic migrant like millions of others? Or is it the day I went for an interview in Phuket and on walking into the hotel, knowing with absolute certainty that I’d found my ‘home’?
There have been many other such inflexion points when I needed to make career decisions. I subscribe to the concept that there’s no such thing as a right/wrong choice – just a different one.
Who have been the biggest influencers? Banyan Tree opened its flagship site in Phuket in 1994 and was one of the first to design a spa concept as an integral part of the hotel offering, rather than just as an afterthought. Many brands have followed suit to varying degrees of success. Today Banyan Tree remains a phenomenal force and it has also added complementary brands that segment the market.
What will have the greatest impact on spas? The democratisation of health will be hugely influential. Ultra-luxury spas are wonderful. However, spas that build their business model around a much wider and deeper market segment at accessible price points, will, I believe, develop a long-term sustainable future.
What do you still hope to accomplish? The creation of Ensana just four years ago laid the foundations for a new brand in Europe based on integrative health – fusing local natural resources such as thermal water and mud with expert medical knowledge to offer treatments that support people’s health. We’re only at the start of this journey and doubling the size of the business in the next 10 years is an achievable goal.
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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