As a leader in the rest industry, spas are on a par with cruise, skiing and golf. This was made clear by an investigation in which about three thousand members of the market in 75 countries were consulted. Similarly, the study concluded that the spa lifestyle is fashionable, however, it is also a timeless issue. "Spa professionals want to create the best possible experience, so it is a buyer's market for consumers, where consumers express their wants and needs," said Lynne McNees, president of ISPA, International SPA Association.
For its part, the study also revealed that spas are responding to the needs of the restaurant industry. About 19% of spas in the United States offer different possibilities to learn about cooking, through private lessons with renowned chefs, who teach the visitor how to make food at home a healthy practice.
Looking for unique experiences for its users remains the constant in the industry. This is how about 24% of spas said that customers can book instead of special services, blocks of time. The latter allow you to create in a personalized way the desired treatment that can range from music to the use of products in air-conditioned rooms.
Health and rest
"Spa lifestyles equals healthy lifestyles." That premise is what the industry is aiming for today by teaching basic principles such as nutritious food, exercise and reducing stress levels. It is estimated that 51% of spas in the United States offer their visitors educational programs and nutritional consultations, 40% teach healthy food classes, 26% have educational offers on topics such as obesity and 17% offer sports programs for children and adolescents.
The latter are one of the audiences that spas are currently targeting. About four million young people have attended these spaces of care and relaxation, where they learn to combat stress, eat healthy and take care of their skin. This is how 16% of spas in North America have developed programs for teenagers, 34% have created packages especially for them and 17% have created them for children.
Company, technology and environment
"The spa experience is the perfect way for employers to demonstrate to their team their concern for their health and well-being," McNees said.
In that sense, during 2007, Google was chosen as the number one company in terms of corporate health. The company that is also part of ISPA offers massages for its employees. According to an American media outlet, for every dollar allocated to corporate health programs, the company's employers reduce medical claims, absenteeism and low productivity, among other factors.
For its part, the spa industry seems to pay special attention to each of the details that the current era imposes. Today, when technology forces people to be constantly "connected", spas are incorporating technology such as Wi-Fi in relaxation rooms, in addition to "cyber treatments" that combine feedback technology with the guidance of health professionals and light therapies to help those suffering from depression, affective disorders or insomnia.
Finally, faced with the current slogan of working with environmentally friendly practices, spas have not escaped either. Products made from fruits, vegetables, herbs and minerals, in addition to mineral makeup and "green" construction techniques, are just some of the means through which spa professionals are demonstrating their commitment to the environment.
