Bourguignon says he’s working on a new spa for 2012 to add to Miraval’s existing wellness facilities (above)
I hope to bring a fresh view and a global perspective. Happiness, for example, might sound like a light subject, but it’s not and it’s a worldwide issue that spas could get involved in
How would you describe yourself? I have my head in the clouds and my feet on the ground. I’m a dreamer and always have been ever since I was a young child. But at the same time I’m very pragmatic.
How would your critics describe you? T ey would probably say that I move too fast and that I have strong opinions.
What has been the biggest challenge of your career so far? I don’t see challenges as a negative, I see them as the reverse because they wake you up and enforce change. Mine would undertaking the turn- around and restructuring of Euro Disney. When I took over, it was thought to be a sinking ship – it had lost a lot of money and the number of visitors in the fi rst year fell short of projections. Plus the European press were very negative.
So, how did you overcome it? It took a lot of hard work and determination. More impor- tantly, however, I knew we had a fantastic product which the public loved and that we had an amazing team.
SPA BUSINESS 3 2011 ©Cybertrek 2011
Why did you choose the 2010 GSS to present in public once more? Susie [Ellis, GSS board member] asked me to partici- pate and I accepted with pleasure. T en she asked me to make a presentation and I said no because I don’t do that. But she insisted and I felt comfortable with her. Being new in the industry, among people I didn’t know, helped. So I decided it was the right time – many years had passed – and jumped! And I’m happy I did!
What do you love most about the spa indus- try? T e fact that it’s so rewarding and that you do a lot of good for people.
What’s been your biggest achievement? Having Miraval reinforce its leadership posi- tion: in 2011 we have been ranked as a top destination spa by Spa Magazine and Conde Nast Traveler. Also, we’ve just achieved the best quarter we’ve had in the last fi ve years.
What do you want to achieve over the next 12 months? We’re looking forward to unveil- ing a brand new, state of the art spa facility in 2012. Other than that, it’s to continue con-
solidating and growing our existing business. Not very imaginative, but that’s my goal.
What drives you? Just enjoying life and hav- ing a job that I love. I enjoyed working for a public company, but, frankly, I’m much hap- pier not having to report to analysts who do not understand the business.
What trends do you see emerging in the spa industry? T e most signifi cant is the evolution from people just having a mas- sage, to people taking care of themselves and looking for wellness. As an industry, one of our goals should be to dispel the notion that visiting a spa is frivolous because it’s not. If wellness was more widespread, people would be healthier and the pressure would be taken off of our national healthcare systems.
Do you go for spa treatments yourself? Abso- lutely! But I couldn’t say which I enjoy most.
What advice would you give to someone coming into this industry now? Avoid fol- lowing the norms, think freely, make your own mistakes and learn from them. ●
Read Spa Business online
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