BeautyNZ Magazine - Autumn 2022

30% of the hot spring spa market prior to border
restrictions being in place. The number of hot
springs in New Zealand alone sits at 110 (ranking
fourth in Asia Pacific - behind Japan, China and
Taiwan, with revenues of more than four times that
of Australia).
There’s no question that the global spa, beauty
and wellness industry is expanding, and the New
Zealand market is no exception. The Global Wellness
Institute (GWI) recently reported that, global
wellness tourism and hot springs globally grew 8%
and 6.8% respectively between 2017 to 2019. GWI
also predicted that recent pent-up demand will fuel
growth rates of 21% for wellness tourism and 18%
for hot springs annually until 2025.
Understanding the market
With community health and wellbeing proving
invaluable over the past few years, the knowledge
and access around our industry has skyrocketed. As a
result, operators are being expected to deliver a more
holistic and integrated wellness experience that
provides greater sustainable outcomes for the user.
Hot Pools/Geothermal Springs and Health Clubs
are now realising the need to amalgamate their
current services with the ‘spa’ component of the
business. It’s a win-win, as more integrated facilities
offer greater leverage, client satisfaction and loyalty.
It not only hugely benefits consumer health and
wellbeing, but businesses are also commercially
benefiting from this obvious shift.
Great expectations
With the ever-increasing demands of the savvier
design and technology-driven consumer, spas are
now having to move far beyond just a great setting
and service. Upgrades in facility appearance and
offerings (particularly evolved heat, water and pool
facilities) are becoming increasingly commonplace.
As the industry strengthens, this progression has
become a must for operators to continue to remain
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