Pulse March 2019 | Page 50

CONVERSATIONS WITH GAYLE BRADY CONTINUED P: What’s changed since then to make express spas possible? B: The growth of the spa industry as a whole. Back then, people thought we were going to put a jacuzzi in the airport. When we considered putting air Vita in Los angeles, we had to meet with the LaPD vice squad because they thought the wrong type of business was going to go on. Spa wasn’t publicly accepted. People who went to spas were in the minority. But now, with the growth of day spas, the idea of having that type of treatment is mainstream. it’s not elite anymore; it’s a very mainstream part of our culture. So, i think a combination of things has made airport spas possible, but really the culture has evolved, because the spa industry has educated people on the benefits of massage, relaxation, wellness and eating well. “[Spa is] about the full wellness of the mind and body, in whatever shape that takes, whether that’s within four walls, outdoors or on a plane.” P: What’s changed with how airlines view spas? B: i think for the airline industry, they didn’t understand the benefits at the time, and operating in an airport was too expensive to do it alone. But the airlines have the square footage to make it work, so for them to jump on the bandwagon is great, because they have the space to do it. P: Do you expect to see wellness and fitness grow in airports and airport lounges, rather than just spa? B: That’s the big question. The issue air Vita faced was that people had to have enough time to get undressed, shower, get dressed again, wash their hair or do makeup. That requires a long layover, so i’m still on the fence as to (cONTINUED ON PaGE 50) 48 PULSE n march 2019