In today’s premium spa environment, every detail shapes the guest experience – right down to
the softness of towels and the freshness of linens. ... more
We might still be working on fundamental skills like sleeping well, slowing down or even breathing better, but increasingly, technology is helping pave the way
Wellness has never been so important to so many people / Shuttertstock.com / BGStock72
As we move towards the end of the first quarter century in this millennium, wellness has never been so important to so many people. The global wellness economy has now exceeded US$5.6 trillion (€5.2 trillion, £4.4 trillion) and shows no signs of slowing down – it’s predicted to reach US$8.5 trillion (€7.9 trillion, £6.7 trillion) by 2027 (see page 116). It’s a great time to be in the industry; technology is bringing new innovation to the way we do business, from brain training for neuroplasticity (see page 12) to gesture-tech and mixed reality (see page 16) to new ways of biohacking (see page 74) – and even to converting the electrical impulses and frequencies of plants into healing soundscapes (see page 21).
At the same time, we’re also seeing a resurgence of – or a return to – tried and true modalities that have served humanity well for hundreds or thousands of years, as people seek out authentic wellness experiences. From a return of water tastings (see page 14) – popular in the heyday of European spa towns – to the idea of teaching somatic practices to teens to help them regulate emotions (see page 15), what’s old is new again. Even that most basic of human movements – walking – is having something of a moment (see page 20), as people rediscover the joy of being outside in nature for a kind of moving meditation.
Some of the trends we’re looking at combine old and new; deep listening can be low-tech and retro, with guests listening to classic vinyl albums in the sauna, or it can be high-tech and futuristic, like the upcoming Texas-based Submersive, which will play underwater sounds in combination with images that are designed to transport people to an elevated state of consciousness (see page 13).
But we’re still working on the basics: sleeping well (see pages 100, 132), connecting with others (see page 102), sexual wellness (see page 131) and simply finding space to slow down and rest (see page 70).
Whether it’s new technology or a timeless trend, the wellness market is most definitely moving quickly – and as Ferris Bueller said, “If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” We hope the insights, research and resources in our annual Spa Business Handbook help you do just that: stop, look around, and ultimately, play your part in driving the industry forward.
Jane Kitchen Editor, Spa Business Handbook [email protected] @JaneKitchenSB
The UK spa review and discovery platform for consumers, the Good Spa Guide, has announced
it will host the Good Spa Guide Awards 2026 during an event on 16 November at Sopwell House
Hotel in St Albans, UK.
Eighty-four per cent of consumers now say wellness is a top priority in their lives, with this
percentage increasing year on year, according to a preview presentation of McKinsey’s Future of
Wellness 2026 research report.
Mass protests have been taking place since Monday 1 June in Albania over the development of
a luxury resort by Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner.
Global Wellness Day (GWD) marked its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the
theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider,
HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its
site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French
West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to
celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day
(GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation
experiences.
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Seed To Skin Founded by Jeanette Thottrup in 2018, in Tuscany, Seed to Skin is an award winning skincare line. [more...]
