p23-24_ttg_lux_eds report Wint09 27/11/09 15:22 Page 23
EDITOR’S
REPORT
Pampering is out. Clients
now want spa treatments
that are more wellness
and health-orientated
as they seek solace from
workplace stress and
the recessionary turmoil.
April Hutchinson reports
A
fter one of the most financially crippling years in so are results. “Places such as SHA offer a choosing the wrong one, and hunting
memory, there’s no doubt many upmarket travellers more medical spa approach – this one out special offers.
will be happy just to put 2009 behind them and see has its roots in macrobiotics – but with The Global Spa Benchmark Report,
what a new year will bring. the luxury accommodation attached,” published in the summer, confirmed
Spa treaments is one area that will have divided consumers added Turnbull. “We also feel there is the spa industry had clearly not been
this year. According to figures from the Global Spa Benchmark a move towards people visiting spas immune to the effects of the global
Report, $90 was the average cost of a treatment globally in almost as a preventive health financial crisis, with operators recording
2008; Europe came in with the highest average rate per alternative, or to convalesce as they lose 13% fewer visits in 2008 and all regions
treatment, at $111, and Asia-Pacific the lowest, at $77. faith in the traditional medical system.” expecting decreases in average annual
For some, the idea of languishing in a spa paying for Peter Droessel, spa director at the revenue per spa during 2009 of around
treatments that could well have cost an average of $90 a pop Grand Resort Bad Ragaz, said clients are 9%. But spa operators did say their
may have seemed like an excess too far. For others, however, wanting much more information and outlook for 2010 was more positive,
time at a spa may have come to represent the perfect antidote reliable advice on spa experiences and with all regions expecting growth of
to the turmoil of the past 12-18 months, a time for reflection the benefits. “One of the trends for 2010 anywhere between 8% and 32%.
and personal development. will be ‘spa healers’ on hand to help
For the latter, there has been no shortage of options as “spa” with physical and emotional health.” Spa gazing
continues to evolve to mean more of a holistic escape for mind, The luxury hotel spa sector had been Many operators and agents have
body and soul. The options range from an Ayurvedic retreat to particularly hit, said Turnbull. Judging reported clients seeking to know what
rebalance to a yoga week to re-energise or a sleep programme by searches on the Spafinder website, he their trip is really likely to cost them on
to help solve insomnia. At some spas, you can even book time said the number of people searching for the ground, as they try to curb spend
to sleep at the spa after a treatment. spas using the term “luxury” had but still travel. The ability for luxury
Kevin Turnbull, Spafinder’s chief executive for Europe, said: halved, while the number using the agents to show them spa menus,
“At the height of the spa growth, it was all about pampering. search terms “de-stress”, “relaxation” pre-book treatments and work with
But in recession, it seems to have been stripped back to its and “wellness” had doubled. hotels and spas on securing slots has
roots with people searching for spas based on their wellness During the recession, people have therefore never been so important.
and health criteria.” also been spending more time online With day spa guests now critical for
Spas such as the SHA Wellness clinic in Spain have come to searching for the right spa for them, many hotel spas – 38% of total
the fore in this climate; cost of treatment and stay is high, but anxious not to make a costly mistake by visits to hotel spas come from
“There has been a halving in people searching
for spas using the term luxury and a 100%
increase in people using the search terms
de-stress, relaxation and wellness”
23
editor’s report
winter 09 ttgluxury.com
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68