S - Global Spa & Wellness Summit

Traditional spas
• Started in Europe
• Are wellness and therapy based
• Have a “no gain without pain” mentality
• See water as the focus (thalassotherapy or mineral)
These spas later adopted a more wellness and relaxation focus (stress management) and
are now developing a holistic lifestyle approach (with alternative therapies, detox, and
more).
Victoria Fuller (Panel Leader):
A few well-known Europeans spas today:
• Four Seasons, Provence, France
• Tschuggon Bergoase Spa, Switzerland
• Resort and Hideaway Schloss Eiman,
Germany
• Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park, London
The leading brands of Europe have natural
and organic products.
Will it remain a natural approach or will it
become a more medical/surgical approach
to wellness? What is the future? In regards to
the rock and roll generation- is this a
trend?
Question to Panelists:
What are some of the biggest challenges in
the European Spa Market?
Barbara Gavazzoli:
The challenge is definition and terminology.
English speakers know what it all means, but people in Italy, and Spain, etc. are intimidated.
How do people in Italy and Spain define what they offer and manage guest
expectations?
These spas are good from a technical perspective, but not very good at caring for
people of many cultures.
Alain Masazza:
The challenge is two-fold:
• Profitability of the spas: Staffing is a high cost especially with so many expected benefits
for employees (vacation, medical, etc.). Also, salaries in that part of the world
are very high.
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