2019 US Spa Industry Study 2019 US Spa Industry Study | Page 63

Comparability Over Time
In 2005, ISPA undertook a census of the North American spa industry to formally qualify and
classify spas. Through this process, ISPA developed specific product/service-based criteria for
qualifying and classifying spas. The spa type definitions are listed on page 5 of this report.
In order to develop revised estimates of the trend in the number and distribution of spas, data from
previous studies was adjusted to be consistent with the revised definitions. Further detail on the
re-estimation procedures can be found in the ISPA 2007 Spa Industry Study.
In particular, with the exception of destination spas, per spa estimates of revenue and square
footage no longer include accommodations. Similarly, on-site retail and fitness operations that
were not contained within the spa were specifically excluded from the statistics. Using data on the
allocation of space and revenue from previous studies, these components were removed, and the
averages recalculated for comparability purposes.
The methodological changes were made to reflect the changing industry. As a result of the
methodological changes, a greater emphasis was placed on narrowing the statistics to those
activities that relate only to the spa.
While the estimates for studies undertaken prior to 2006 were adjusted to facilitate comparability
and identification of industry trends, the pre-2005 estimates shown in pages 10-15 should
nonetheless be treated with a degree of caution.
Introduction
Industry Size:
Performing Strongly
Spa Services
and Facilities
Spa Industry
Profile
Technical Appendix
Page 62