Spa & Wellness MexiCaribe 49 Spring 2023

7. WELLNESS + GOVERNMENTS:
THE CASE FOR COMING TOGETHER
BY THIERRY MALLERET
Whether it’s new bathhouses featuring hydrothermal bathing
The GWI, in its recent report, makes a compelling case in favor
of wellness policies, which have been years in the making.
They will now evolve, multiply and strengthen - a defining
trend of 2023 and beyond.
Two fundamental reasons make this inevitable: unwellness
shrinks the size of the labor force while at the same time
causing declining productivity, and wellness saves public
money because prevention is less expensive than cure.
8. WELLNESS + WATER:
BLUE, HOT AND WILD
BY JANE KITCHEN
We’re now watching several trends come together under the
umbrella of soaking, dipping or swimming in natural water as
a growing body of evidence around 'blue wellness', the way
that water benefits our wellbeing, has emerged. An explosion
of interest in wild swimming and cold water swimming follows
publicity of the benefits of cold water immersion - a natural
remedy for anxiety, depression and sleep disorders. Open
water swimming and winter ocean, or lake, dipping is now
an activity that appeals to a range of ages and abilities, as
people desire social connection and connection with nature;
search for natural remedies for mental and physical ailments
and pursue authentic, local experiences. In hospitality, some
innovative resorts offer guided swims in local waterfalls,
lakes or rivers. In cross-country swimming, where hiking and
swimming are combined, and lakes, rivers or estuaries are
considered not an obstacle, but a part of the challenge.
On the other end of the temperature spectrum, owners and
developers of hot springs are combining entertainment and
cultural activities with soaking - a social, natural, and quite
often, affordable activity. GWI researchers predict annual
growth rates of 18% for thermal and mineral springs through
2025.
9. WELLNESS + SPORTS:
NEW BUSINESS MODELS FOR HOSPITALITY
BY LISA STARR
Savvy brands are responding to today’s wellness focused
consumer by creating spaces and options ensuring that
wellness, fitness and recovery services can be maintained
along with business meetings and networking.
Social media grants us access to the lives and routines of elite
athletes and feeds our fascination with their abilities. Given the
public preoccupation with sports, the habits of the 'celebrity
athlete' influence how consumers want to live their lives,
maintaining their routines when traveling. Using sports as a
lens through which to attract and connect with consumers is
a timely business strategy as emotional connections to sports
have become a unifier that transcends boundaries, languages,
age and cultural differences.
www.spawellnessmexico.com 21
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