Introduction Spa-goers have made a comeback after the COVID-19 pandemic . The latest ISPA U . S Spa Industry Study estimates that there were over 345,000 people working in the U . S . spa industry in 2021 , making it a significant contributor to the health of the wider economy . However , ongoing pressures with the workforce mean the industry is struggling to meet the current surge in demand . Staffing issues have been a long-standing thorn in the spa industry ’ s side , as attracting qualified talent is easier said than done and obstacles remain . The pandemic has only exacerbated these issues . With spas trying to find new ways to unlock pools of talent to lure in potential new employees , spa directors will be hoping to finally address the long-standing vacancy challenge .
“ There remains huge pressure to recruit and retain new service providers , with current estimates showing 46,760 vacancies .”
Unstaffed Positions by Type Vacancies have always been an issue for the spa industry , but the pandemic sent the industry-wide staffing shortage into overdrive . There remains huge pressure to recruit and retain new service providers , with current estimates showing 46,760 vacancies . The main gap is massage therapists — a backbone of the industry — who make up almost two thirds ( 64 percent ) of these vacancies . Also noteworthy are vacancies at the management and leadership level ( 2,780 openings ). Spun positively , gaps and new opportunities to step up do exist in the industry for those who want to develop in their careers . With a surge in demand for spa services after the pandemic , it is essential for business profitability and sustainability that the industry keeps working hard to have the right number of staff at all levels to meet this demand .
Recruitment Issues Why is it so difficult to recruit massage therapists into the industry ? The vast majority of spas have reported issues with recruiting massage therapists ( 86 percent ), with the key issue being a lack of qualified candidates to fill positions ( 50 percent ). Accordingly , the need for strong education and training remains vital . The pandemic of course created some worry about a core element of the industry : touch and proximity between therapists and customers . Lingering worries about touch and customer contact remain , with therapist concerns over close contact making recruitment more challenging for 43 percent of respondents . However , this is down considerably from 78 percent last year , and many will hope this will continue to diminish as service providers become more comfortable with the current work environment . A specific
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