14 SPECIAL FEATURE
14 SPECIAL FEATURE WELLNESS & MEDICAL TOURISM The Sky Is the Limit for Wellness From Digital Detox to wellness in the flight cabin, ITB Berlin 2015 is at the forefront of the Health and wellness business The fact that an entire day of ITB Berlin Convention 2015 is dedicated to health and wellness demonstrates how seriously the industry needs to be taking the sector – both as tourism products, and as an integral aspect of the contemporary traveller’s needs. Thursday’s ITB Experts Forum Wellness saw a series of events, headlined by Neil Orvay’s Keynote: “Inspiring Spa Guest 2020 - High Tech - High Touch”. In his speech, Orvay highlighted the fact that outside the top resorts and hotel brands, the spa industry remains fragmented and has relatively modest WELLNESS HAS CHANGED THE WAY PEOPLE TRAVEL AND HOW SAVVY INSIDERS HAVE RESPONDED amounts of capital available. He warned that the consequences of misreading the market can be terminal to a business. It was a stern message for a sector that is, nonetheless, in a very healthy period of growth. Research published at ITB Berlin 2015 revealed that over 50% of spa and wellness hoteliers had increased revenue – 13% Wellness at ITB Berlin 2015 even described a sharp rise in revenue. Roland Fricke, CEO of beauty24, said “A spa holiday has become an interesting proposition for a variety of target groups. Guests no longer place an overriding importance on beauty treatments and preventative healthcare. They are now looking for a break from daily life – something special, something they have earned and can reward themselves with.” The sector benefits from digital technology in two very different ways. Progressive spa hotels and resorts that are technically equipped to monitor and report on their guests’ physical condition are increasingly popular, especially to a younger male clientele. But, in a world where people rely on technical devices and live in a busy, constantly connected world, it is in the conscious rejection of this ubiquitous technology – the Digital Detox holiday, a chance to withdraw from these electronic inputs – that hoteliers can capitalise on a completely new market. Smart hoteliers that can strike a good balance between the provision and withdrawal of technologies at their resorts will thrive. The implications of wellness extend far beyond spa holidays, however, as described in a presentation entitled “How Wellness Has Changed Travel: Airlines, Airports And Lodging” at ITB Berlin 2015 by Camille Hoheb, Founder and Managing Director of Wellness Tourism Worldwide. “Wellness has changed the way people travel and how savvy insiders have responded” said Hoheb, “There is a renaissance at airports. They are designed to be much more attractive, to make you feel more comfortable” – emphasising that the health, happiness and wellbeing of travellers, both on the ground and in the air, is influencing the design of airports and the changing environment of the flight cabin. Meditative lighting states and even fragrances are increasingly employed on aeroplanes to help passengers’ maintain their wellness. Thus wellness in 2015 extends way beyond the massage table and spa. ITB BERLIN NEWS • Saturday 7 th March 2015 www.itb-berlin-news.com
WELLNESS & MEDICAL TOURISM SPECIAL FEATURE 15 ADVERTORIAL Rocky Mountain Retreat The Broadmoor’s five-star spa revives weary travellers in Colorado From the moment visitors step into the Forbes Travel Guide five-star rated Spa at The Broadmoor, they’ll be treated to a unique journey in rejuvenation and pure relaxation. The Broadmoor, a sprawling luxury hotel in the heart of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains that first opened in 1918, is the longest-running consecutive winner of both the AAA Five- Diamond and Forbes Travel Guide five-star awards. The healing properties of the hotel’s natural surroundings, from the crystal-clear spring waters to the clean mountain air, have THE SPA AT THE BROADMOOR DRAWS DIRECT INSPIRATION FROM THE LUSH SURROUNDING LANDSCAPE long been a beacon of wellness for residents and travellers alike. These factors are crystallised in The Broadmoor’s luxury spa complex. “With the beautiful scenery of the Rocky Mountains as a backdrop,” enthused the Forbes Travel Guide, “the Broadmoor already has an advantage over other luxury spas. But even without these surroundings, an experience at this two-level lakefront spa is pure bliss. With Venetian chandeliers, earth tones and an overall feeling of serenity, the treatment rooms perfectly set the scene for the spa’s luxurious massage therapies and skin treatments.” From the days of the early pioneers, brave travellers have flocked to Colorado Springs to let the fresh Rocky Mountain air heal their ailments. The Spa at The Broadmoor also follows in the footsteps of the hotel’s founders, Spencer and Julie Penrose, who travelled the world to create an oasis of culture in the then uncivilised West. Expert spa practitioners continue this tradition through an array of customised treatments inspired from across the globe. Today, with 38 treatment rooms, the Spa at The Broadmoor draws direct inspiration from the lush surrounding landscape, offering pampering and holistic spa treatments ranging from facials and hydrotherapies to signature salon services and indulgent spa packages. Individually tailored services are performed by licensed spa professionals and combine innovative techniques from across the planet with healing and detoxifying ingredients. Each treatment is tailored to address each guest’s unique wellness goals. To assist with this process, guests will be first asked to fill out a health history questionnaire, which they can review with their practitioner. Between treatments, guests are encouraged to relax in the spa’s gender-specific dry saunas, steam rooms, aromatherapy rooms or fireplace lounges. The co-ed Mountain View Room, which overlooks a lush golf course and the Rocky Mountains beyond, offers an additional space to unwind and enjoy light refreshments. Hall 2.1 Stand 200 4 th annual Women’s Weekend of Wellness At the resort’s 4 th annual Women’s Weekend of Wellness, running 16-19 April 2015, The Broadmoor welcomes women of all ages to reboot the mind, body, and spirit in an event co-sponsored by the University of Colorado. This transformational, all-inclusive weekend is focused on helping women develop a healthier lifestyle through a number of interactive seminars and exercise-based activities. As part of the weekend, each guest is given the opportunity to have a personalised Wellness Evaluation, which will assess the six controllable dimensions of wellness: physical fitness, metabolic fitness, nutrition, sleep, stress, and quality and satisfaction of life. Evaluation results are discussed with the experts on-hand and personal goals are set to create a customised program for each participant. The Women’s Weekend of Wellness two-night package starts at 5 per person, and three-night package at 5 per person, based on double occupancy. Participants receive a one-time, credit good for any spa service at the awardwinning The Spa at The Broadmoor. Guests participating in the Women’s Weekend of Wellness also enjoy a 15% discount on spa and fitness retail purchases (some restrictions apply) and a 25% discount on suite upgrades. In addition to participating in an exciting and informative set of group events, guests will have plenty of free time over the weekend to relax, take advantage of The Broadmoor’s luxurious facilities, and dine at one of the property’s many restaurants. The Spa at The Broadmoor Hall 2.1 Stand 200 ITB BERLIN NEWS • Saturday 7 th March 2015
