Last Sept 2006 I attended the Turning Point Spa Industry Conference in Cebu City, the first time it was held in the Philippines. Susie Ellis of Spa Finder presented her forecast for 2007. She also presented a similar one the following month during the Wellness Summit organized by Messe Frankfurt this time held at Wiesbaden, Germany.
On the macro level, she mentioned the emergence of the aging baby boomers and the increase in the aging population globally, something predicted by a couple of soothsayers including Paul Zane Pilzer, author of the Wellness Revolution. This is by far the biggest market of the growing wellness industry.
It was interesting to note the emergence of Asian Spa Brands such as : Chiva Som, Mandarin Oriental, Mandara, Chi by Shangri-la, and Banyan Tree.
Spa brands in Asia seems to be dominating and the US counterparts are now slowly emerging. Europe has very few of this at the moment.
She also stated that Asian SPAs are known for its setting and service, Europe SPAs for its hydrotheraphy and skincare and US for Fitness and Marketing. On the Medical side, Asia is more holistic, Europe clinical and US offering more botox and physical.
This year there will be more Male spa goers and medical retreats; a focus on  spa lifestyle communities, beauty foods and interestingly enough Sleep health. More and more spas will be featuring sleep programs using minimal light and sound, aromatheraphy and relaxing spa treatments something which is I guess is an offshoot of this increasingly stressful world.
originally written March 21, 2007
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