At Spa PR, we always look forward to the main spa industry event of the year, Spa Life. It’s not only a gathering of wonderful people with opportunities to form closer connections, but it’s also a treasure trove of expertise that can truly make a difference to your spa business.
Here are 10 of the most interesting insights we gathered from the conference programme:
- Touchless treatments should never be thought of a way of replacing ‘healing hands’ but as an extension of the spa offering.
- There is now an association to promote and support the touchless treatments industry – The Touchless Wellness Association.
- Shifting views of masculinity has seen a 200% increase in men’s retreats to cover all types from the Modern Day Knight programme and Rewilding Surf retreats to the School of Care for Men.
- Spa menus should be gender neutral and less descriptive for men to engage. There also needs to be representation on comms channels ie use images of men in spas, gay male couples to make people feel welcome.
- Teen anxiety is at an all-time high. Spas have a responsibility to provide access/tools for teen wellness and see it as an opportunity to educate the next generation of spa-goers. One way of doing this is through retreats which combine wellness with fun activities.
- ‘Coolcationing’ is a new travel buzz word where people are looking to veer away from hotter countries and instead opt for cooler climates in order to relax. Within this, cold therapy and nighttime wellness activities are popular to escape the heat. Spas should capitalise on this, especially ones located in dark sky areas.
- The power of pilgrimage. With 60%-85% of the nation sedentary, walking holidays are rising in popularity. Linked to spa it’s the perfect combo of reset and recovery.
- When it comes to sustainability it shouldn’t be competitive. The industry must work together, share expertise/secrets to make the changes together.
- The latest report from the UK Spa Association revealed the average price of a one hour treatment is between £96 and £110. The core age of a guest is 31-55 years.
- In the Good Spa Guide’s State of Spa Report of 2,456 people they reveal that most people in all segments value spas and believe they provide excellent service. However, there are instances where some people’s needs aren’t being met such as menopause, or there is a perception that spas don’t offer good value for money.