Daphne Swenerton
DIRECTOR OF SPA OPERATIONS TRUMP INTERNATIONAL HOTEL AND TOWER , TORONTO ONTARIO , CANADA
“
The spa industry continues to grow year over year in both spa visits and revenue despite the economic challenges in North America . One of the fastest growing segments of the industry continues to be the medical spa . We have incorporated several medical spa services into our facility and this area is quickly growing . In its entirety , our industry continues to flourish . In Toronto alone and just in the past year and a half , the city has opened four 4- and 5-star hotel properties , all [ with ] large , luxury spas [ that have ] their own niche and market share . I continue to look forward to a healthy and prosperous future for our industry .”
Annarita Di Giacomo
SPA MANAGER TERME DI SATURNIA SATURNIA-GROSETO , ITALY
Melanie Edwards
GENERAL MANAGER SPACARE GROUP , A DIVISION OF SPAEQUIP , INC . CALISTOGA , CALIFORNIA
Michelle Adams
SPA DIRECTOR WOODSTOCK INN & RESORT WOODSTOCK , VERMONT
Priti Odedra
PRESIDENT ECOSPA 360 IRVINE , CALIFORNIA
“
Ithink that the spa industry will grow immensely in the future and ask for a lot of specialization from professionals . Welcoming and taking care of guests will be [ even more ] important and [ become an even ] more distinctive part of the spa experience . Continuing the search for new protocols and new integrated offers without losing our identity will be very important . Maintain tradition and propose innovation , that ’ s the challenge and the future !”
“
Without departing from [ its ] core which is to provide spa guests with relaxation and stress reduction , spas are moving to a holistic convergence with the medical world . The guest will [ continue to ] demand value for their dollar and insist on evidence-based spa therapies that combine factual data and science . Spas can play a major role in making this shift become a reality . The guest of the future will more readily embrace the spa lifestyle knowing there is added value .”
“
The focus will be on wellness and accessibility for guests . Guests will need to have easy access to spas and wellness [ which means spa services ] will need it to be offered [ even more ] at airports , train stations , etc . The mobile spa will be the norm . Online communities for spa and wellness will also emerge in the future and consumers will watch videos and get most of their recommendations and education from their online sources before going to [ a ] spa .”
“
Ifeel that the spa industry is in a unique position to become a safety net for a failing health care industry . As we see health care reform unfold [ in the U . S .] and as the burden of responsibility for wellness may shift from employer to employee , spas can help bridge the support required in implementing lifestyle changes that lead to improved health and wellness . Spas have a tremendous opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to wellness by explaining [ to the general public ] the health benefits of their initiatives and how they can be measured with real results .”
January / February 2013 ■ PULSE 33