Top Spa Trends For 2009
Thursday December 11, 2008
I always enjoy reading SpaFinder's annual list of top spa trends. Some of the more interesting ones this year are "eco-embedded spas" -- spas that try to make green affect every part of their operations, like Rancho La Puerta putting in a nine-acre organic garden that supplies the kitchen. (I'm at "The Ranch" right now and I can tell you it's the best spa food I've ever eaten!) I'm also intrigued by the idea that spas can reach out to spa-goers with on-line booking and even better, last minute email alerts that let you know when last-minute deals are available.
Comments
I think there is another trend that needs to be mentionned….there will be an increasing emphasis on how spas can perform better and be more profitable. It’s once thing to bring guests into the spa…it’s another thing to run a profitable spa. The Spa Finder trends are great for marketing…but they do not address how the spa can be an economically viable business. Hotel owners, operators and asset managers are really paying attention to the Business of Spas. Spa directors will need a new set of skills and financial tools to help analyze their business. Spas will not be able to be “lazy assets.” For more information on what will be needed and why, go to http://www.hfdspa.com and look at the article we wrote on Spa Economics and Metrics. The mantra for the spa industry will be metrics.
Judy Singer
President & Co-Owner
Health Fitness Dynamics, Inc.
http://www.hfdspa.com
This is very interesting, thank you for the post. I think Red Door has done a good job with launching their contest at the Harrah’s casino in Atlantic City – http://www.RedDoorSuiteEscape.com
When it comes to being eco-friendly I think more and more spas will go for locally made products- the nearer you are to your market the better; as we all know, we are consuming more fuel and more energy purchasing imported goods than locally sourced out ones. So, less and less consumers will choose imported items.
When it comes to branding- more and more people will also be mindful of how these “branded” companies treat their human resources, labor and the like. Before buying, consumers would feel good regarding buying from companies who comply with fair trade and labor. So it will be good for these branded companies to partner with socially responsible organizations within their region and outside of their respective countries. Although I think employment possibilities for Asians will tremendously increase due to an increase in demand for skilled labor in this field. The business of personalization in branding will also be a good niche.
Learning labs will take a lot of shapes and forms and will also blossom into mentorships, advisory committees and groups, it might converge with the academe in the spa and wellness industry reaching more and more individuals. Maybe a learning kitchen? spa travels and escapades? online spa? perhaps the establishment of more libraries and museums which will be geared towards the past, the present and the future of this industry. The hunger for more knowledge and insider’s advice and information will definitely push for a compendium of human knowledge regarding the field of spa, massage, bodyworks, wellness, etc. whether this be digital or otherwise and will occur at an overwhelming pace and intensity.
More and more convergences and divergences will be at the forefront of our industry where those who wants to stay in business will be pushed to excel, do more for others and at the same time be economically viable.