Spa Executive December 2023

The hospitality and wellness industry is on
the cusp of exciting trends that will shape
both the guest experience and the world
at large. I am particularly excited to see
sustainability and eco-friendliness taking
center stage in design and operations, with
an eye toward creating experiences that
are both impactful and planet-friendly.
The future of spa & wellness design is set
to incorporate more natural elements
and biophilic design to create a closer
connection to nature and emphasize local,
authentic experiences.
The introduction of touchless wellness
solutions, meanwhile, is just at the beginning
of new and innovative spa treatments and
services that will be available in more and
more locations to wellness-seeking guests.
This year we will also continue to see
wellness offerings extending beyond
traditional spa and fitness amenities, with
a growing focus on mental and emotional
well-being, including mindfulness and
meditation practices. And the introduction
of technology and digital experiences will
offer guests greater customization and
personalization through available data. It’s
wonderful to see what’s to come in 2024
and beyond for our industry!
Catherine Strange Warren, Vice President
of Strategic Partnerships, Arch Amenities
Group
I’m looking forward to more wellness retreats
and immersive experiences providing a
complete escape from daily life. And happy
to see spas recognizing the importance of
mental health and stress management, and
incorporating therapies and treatments that
specifically target stress reduction, anxiety
management, and overall mental well-being.
I’m enjoying seeing technology being
integrated into spa experiences to enhance
guest comfort and convenience, including
the use of digital booking systems, virtual
consultations, and innovative treatments that
incorporate advanced technologies like LED
light therapy and cryotherapy.
And I’m excited about trends that reflect
a shift towards holistic well-being, with
travelers seeking experiences that
prioritize mental health, nature immersion,
personalization, sustainability, and inclusivity.
These developments indicate a growing
awareness and prioritization of wellness in
travel experiences.
Roger Sholanki, CEO, Book4Time
It’s no coincidence that the revenue growth of
the wellness industry has been accompanied
by an increased use of technology. Data
is doing amazing things, providing insight
into all facets of operations and highlighting
new opportunities for revenue generation,
from yield management and customer
relationship management to segmentation
and diversifying streams. I’m looking forward
to seeing where this is going to take us in the
next year.
This astronomical growth of hospitality
wellness is exhilarating, and I also can’t wait
to see how hotels, resorts, and spas are
harnessing this interest to expand their
innovative wellness and activity offerings.
We’re seeing expansions in wellness travel
experiences, as hotels and resorts continue
to find creative and brilliant ways to delight
guests with new ideas that combine
technology and innovation with traditional
practices and healing modalities.
Lynne McNees, President, International
Spa Association
After consecutive record-breaking revenue
years, we are beyond excited to see the spa
industry’s performance data in the 2024
ISPA U.S. Spa Industry Study conducted by
PricewaterhouseCoopers. Those invaluable
statistics will be unveiled at the 2024 ISPA
Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. The continued
growth in innovative partnerships and the
elevated role of spa leaders within the
hospitality industry are trends that continue to
push our dynamic industry forward. It is rare
to have such a sizable professional community
that values cohesive, strategic partnerships
over competitive maneuvers. Always a good
reminder that a rising tide raises all ships.
25 | Spa Executive