SALES & MARKETING
WHAT ABOUT THE
CHILDREN ?
A WELLNESS EXPERT TALKS ABOUT THE POSSIBILITIES IN KIDS ’ PROGRAMMING .
By BARBARA BOHN , MANAGING EDITOR
Lots of hotels have kids programs that provide adventure and education ( along with a break from , and for , the parents ). Lots and lots of hotels have wellness programs , from facials to forest-bathing , spa treatments to sleep aids .
What about kids ’ wellness programs ? For Amy McDonald , the opportunity lies in creating “ really meaningful bonding time for family .” McDonald , principal of Under a Tree Consulting in Tucson ,
Arizona , and a 30-year veteran of spa and hospitality , including a stint at Miraval , has worked with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and Mii amo in Sedona , Arizona . HOTELS talks with McDonald about the possibilities at the nexus of two hot trends : multi-generational travel and wellness . HOTELS : What is wellness ? Amy McDonald : It ’ s the first thing that I ask a client : What does it mean to you ? It doesn ’ t matter what it means to me . I need to understand what it means to them . To me , in the simplest form , wellness is experiencing a state of wellbeing . It can be as simple as an amazing glass of wine with someone you love . To me , it ’ s whenever you have the opportunity to connect someone back to themselves and they have even a moment of heartfelt , real emotion .
I think we over-complicate . I think we think , ‘ Wellness means I have to go
October 2018 hotelsmag . com 49