Spa Life UK
Spa Life UK
Spa Life UK
 
EMPLOYERS: POST A JOB
Free ezines & magazines
Jobs News Video Training Products Magazines Spa Business spa-kit Handbook What's on Advertise Subscribe
LATEST JOBS
STAR JOB
Spa Manager / Spa Director
Toscana Resort Castelfalfi
SALARY: negotiable
LOCATION: Tuscany, Italy
MORE JOBS
Catalogue gallery
More catalogues
Diary dates
Powered by leisurediary.com
11-14 Jun 2023
Le Meridien Lav, Split, Croatia
12-15 Jun 2023
Raffles City Convention Centre, Singapore
02-04 Jul 2023
Cotswolds Water Park Hotel , South Cerney, United Kingdom
11-12 Sep 2023
The Hyatt Regency in Indianapolis, IN. , Lake Buena Vista, United States
12-14 Sep 2023
Gwel an Mor, United Kingdom
26-29 Sep 2023
Eau Palm Beach , Manalapan, United States
04-06 Oct 2023
Karlovy Vary , Czech Republic
04-06 Oct 2023
Uruguay
Exclusive: new Wellness Tourism Association wants to be ‘voice of the industry’
By Jane Kitchen 31 Jan 2018
Andrew Gibson, Accor Hotels’ vice president of wellbeing, is chair of the new association Credit: Accor Hotels
A new not-for-profit business has been created to be the voice of the wellness travel industry, and to create more networking, education and marketing opportunities.

Headed up by chair Andrew Gibson, Accor Hotels’ vice president of wellbeing, the Wellness Tourism Association (WTA) hopes to create a network for destination marketing organisations, hotels and resorts, tour operators and travel agencies with an interest in the growing wellness tourism industry.

“As an association, it's crucial we work together to help define our industry, as well as to educate the public so they can recognise legitimate and credible wellness suppliers and operators,” said Gibson.

He is joined by founding members Anne Dimon, CEO of Travel to Wellness, who serves as the WTA’s president; Thomas Klein, president and COO of US destination spa Canyon Ranch, who is the organisation’s treasurer; Madeleine Marentette, founder of Canada’s Grail Springs Retreat Center for Wellbeing; and Nilendu Srivastava, managing director of The Art of Living Retreat Center in North Carolina, US.

The association’s first tourism board member – the Monaco Government Tourist Office – will be represented by Cindy Hoddeson, Monaco’s director, North America. The wellness history of this city-state dates back to 1860 and the Etablissement des Bains, Monaco’s first baths, where people traveled to benefit from the curative powers of the Mediterranean.

US-based New Life Hiking Spa signed up as one of the first retreat members; the first tour operator to join is Sojourn Bicycling and Active Vacations.

“The WTA will define the industry and unite all the various categories that fall under the umbrella of wellness tourism for a common purpose – which is the benefit and sustainability of the industry for the ultimate good of all, including the consumer,” said Dimon.

The WTA’s goals are to create a common set of standards and definitions of wellness travel categories; educate and increase awareness of wellness tourism, especially among tour operators and travel agents; and to provide a networking platform for those involved in the industry.

But the first step is to create the industry definitions for various terms within the sector. As Gibson explained: “We want to elevate standards and give credibility to the industry. There’s so much vagueness, so much lack of clarity – when we get the industry speaking with a unified voice, then we can go to the consumer with it.”

That includes clear-cut criteria of the definition of a destination spa versus a resort spa, for instance, and a look at defining wellness retreats, wellness travel and wellness vacations.

“The wellness tourism market is working overtime to keep up with the growing consumer demand, and that includes Canyon Ranch,” said Klein.

“Wellness tourism – travel engaged for the purpose of enriching or sustaining the state of wellness – will continue to evolve, and as a trailblazer in the integrative wellness industry, it’s crucial that we are at the centre of the discussion and movement, working with the industry to define and develop this booming travel sector, along with the immersive wellness experience.”

The WTA made its official debut in late January at the Travel & Adventure Show in Washington DC, and will also have a presence at three other Travel & Adventure Shows in 2018: in Chicago, Los Angeles and Denver, Colorado.

“We saw a lot of interest at the Washington show,” said Dimon. “Suppliers were interested in what they need to do to qualify, agents wanted to know how to get into the ‘niche,’ and consumers were asking all the expected questions: what wellness tourism is, how to work wellness into their travels, and where to go.”

Qualifying hotels, resorts, retreats, destination spas, tour operators and wellness travel companies may join as members, and organisations with a specific interest in the sector may join as partners.

Membership packages range from US$300 (€242, £214) for travel advisors to US$2,000 (€1,615, £1,425) for hotels and destination spas and US$3,500 (€2,826, £2,495) for tourism boards and DMOs.

“If an organisation has a true interest and investment in the travel sector, they will want to be part of this industry-focused collective,” said Dimon. “For some, it will be for credibility, for others it will be a combination of networking, education and marketing opportunities.”

The networking opportunities will begin immediately; WTA is planning an annual meeting, the first of which will take place in Q2 or Q3 2018, most likely in North America – possibly at one of the member locations – and will highlight what wellness tourism is and, based on the first WTA survey, what consumers are looking for in a wellness vacation. Gibson said he expects between 25 to 50 people to attend.

Moving forward, the WTA plans to collaborate with the Global Wellness Summit’s Wellness Tourism Initiative, and to have a presence at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai in April and the World Travel Market in London in November.



News
1 to 12 of 8433 news stories
09 Jun 2023
Cancer patients who practise YOCAS yoga can benefit from reduced levels of inflammation – helping their road to recovery and even preventing cancer from returning. The finding comes from research led by the University of ... More
09 Jun 2023
Spas operated by Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group (MOHG) will harness the healing power of music following the upcoming launch of a new Wellness Music Programme. Debuting across the group on Global Wellness Day (10 June ... More
08 Jun 2023
Sonu Shivdasani, co-founder of barefoot luxury hotel and wellness brand Soneva, has confirmed there will be a new Soneva opening by the end of 2023. Speaking at a webinar with WGSN, Shivdasani revealed: “The new ... More
07 Jun 2023
Sustainability-focused trade association GSN Planet has launched a new training programme to educate spa professionals about environmentally conscious spa management. Now accessible on the GSN Planet website, the Sustainable Spa Practitioner course provides wellness practitioners ... More
06 Jun 2023
Hilton Hotels & Resorts will expand its luxury Conrad Hotels & Resorts brand with a new resort and luxury spa in Orlando, Florida, by the end of the year. Named Conrad Orlando, the 433-key property ... More
05 Jun 2023
Cape of Senses, Lake Garda’s upcoming five-star, adult-only spa hideaway, is due to open its doors in South Tyrol on 8 July 2023. Situated 200 metres above Lake Garda on the east side, the Torri ... More
02 Jun 2023
Lifestyle brand Equinox has told HCM it plans to fight a ruling by the US courts that it must pay pay US$11.25m to a former employee who claimed she was discriminated against due to race, ... More
02 Jun 2023
Austria’s five-star alpine wellness retreat Hotel Krallerhof has been updated with a new nature-centric glass-fronted spa, Atmosphere by Krallerhof. Embedded in the slopes of the Asitz mountain, the five-star Salzburger hotel’s new adults-only wellness facility ... More
01 Jun 2023
JW Marriott has branched into the luxury safari segment with a wellness-forward retreat property in one of Africa's most renowned wildlife and wilderness conservation regions. Sitting within Southwestern Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve, JW Marriott ... More
01 Jun 2023
Global online architecture platform Architizer has spotlighted innovative spa and wellness architecture concepts around the world as part of its 11th Annual Architizer A+Awards. Founded on the premise of democratising architecture, the annual A+Awards honour ... More
31 May 2023
Industry event Spa Life UK is back for 2023 from 2-4 July at the De Vere Cotswold Water Park Hotel, in South Cerney. The annual event is organised to equip attendees with valuable insights, educational ... More
30 May 2023
Iconic Texas hotel and wellness destination Texas The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa has announced the appointment of Kelleye Martin as the new director of its Trellis Spa. With more than 25 years of experience ... More
     
International SPA Association - iSPA
MSpa International Ltd
Company Profile
bbspa_Group
The technical advice offered by bbspa is delivered via four specialist departments which offer [more]
 
MORE PROFILES
Featured Supplier
Fashionizer Spa's sustainable Eco Smooth fabric now available in new styles and colourways
Two years after Fashionizer Spa launched its durable, breathable and comfortable eco- friendly fabric Eco Smooth, the company is pleased to announce two new styles created in the fabric. ... more
AMRA Skincare
Product news
Edeniste launches active wellbeing fine fragrances backed by neuroscience
Edeniste launches active wellbeing fine fragrances backed by neuroscience
Subtle Energies debuts in Italy at The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Milan
Subtle Energies debuts in Italy at The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Milan
GM Collin expands pro-ageing Bota-Peptides line
GM Collin expands pro-ageing Bota-Peptides line
Comfort Zone introduces new and improved Hydramemory line following reformulation
Comfort Zone introduces new and improved Hydramemory line following reformulation
Bulgari Spa London partners with Mauli Rituals to launch new sound therapy rituals
Bulgari Spa London partners with Mauli Rituals to launch new sound therapy rituals
Antoine Lamarche named CEO of Multaler Group, parent company of Yon-Ka Paris
Antoine Lamarche named CEO of Multaler Group, parent company of Yon-Ka Paris
Directory

 
JOBS
NEWS
VIDEO
TRAINING
PRODUCTS
MAGAZINE
 
SPA BUSINESS
SPA-KIT.NET
SPA BUSINESS HANDBOOK
SUBSCRIBE
ADVERTISE
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2023



Spa Life UK
Spa Life UK
Spa Life UK
Spa Life UK
Jobs    News   Products   Magazine
NEWS
Exclusive: new Wellness Tourism Association wants to be ‘voice of the industry’
POSTED 31 Jan 2018 . BY Jane Kitchen
Andrew Gibson, Accor Hotels’ vice president of wellbeing, is chair of the new association Credit: Accor Hotels
Andrew Gibson, Accor Hotels’ vice president of wellbeing, is chair of the new association Credit: Accor Hotels
A new not-for-profit business has been created to be the voice of the wellness travel industry, and to create more networking, education and marketing opportunities.

Headed up by chair Andrew Gibson, Accor Hotels’ vice president of wellbeing, the Wellness Tourism Association (WTA) hopes to create a network for destination marketing organisations, hotels and resorts, tour operators and travel agencies with an interest in the growing wellness tourism industry.

“As an association, it's crucial we work together to help define our industry, as well as to educate the public so they can recognise legitimate and credible wellness suppliers and operators,” said Gibson.

He is joined by founding members Anne Dimon, CEO of Travel to Wellness, who serves as the WTA’s president; Thomas Klein, president and COO of US destination spa Canyon Ranch, who is the organisation’s treasurer; Madeleine Marentette, founder of Canada’s Grail Springs Retreat Center for Wellbeing; and Nilendu Srivastava, managing director of The Art of Living Retreat Center in North Carolina, US.

The association’s first tourism board member – the Monaco Government Tourist Office – will be represented by Cindy Hoddeson, Monaco’s director, North America. The wellness history of this city-state dates back to 1860 and the Etablissement des Bains, Monaco’s first baths, where people traveled to benefit from the curative powers of the Mediterranean.

US-based New Life Hiking Spa signed up as one of the first retreat members; the first tour operator to join is Sojourn Bicycling and Active Vacations.

“The WTA will define the industry and unite all the various categories that fall under the umbrella of wellness tourism for a common purpose – which is the benefit and sustainability of the industry for the ultimate good of all, including the consumer,” said Dimon.

The WTA’s goals are to create a common set of standards and definitions of wellness travel categories; educate and increase awareness of wellness tourism, especially among tour operators and travel agents; and to provide a networking platform for those involved in the industry.

But the first step is to create the industry definitions for various terms within the sector. As Gibson explained: “We want to elevate standards and give credibility to the industry. There’s so much vagueness, so much lack of clarity – when we get the industry speaking with a unified voice, then we can go to the consumer with it.”

That includes clear-cut criteria of the definition of a destination spa versus a resort spa, for instance, and a look at defining wellness retreats, wellness travel and wellness vacations.

“The wellness tourism market is working overtime to keep up with the growing consumer demand, and that includes Canyon Ranch,” said Klein.

“Wellness tourism – travel engaged for the purpose of enriching or sustaining the state of wellness – will continue to evolve, and as a trailblazer in the integrative wellness industry, it’s crucial that we are at the centre of the discussion and movement, working with the industry to define and develop this booming travel sector, along with the immersive wellness experience.”

The WTA made its official debut in late January at the Travel & Adventure Show in Washington DC, and will also have a presence at three other Travel & Adventure Shows in 2018: in Chicago, Los Angeles and Denver, Colorado.

“We saw a lot of interest at the Washington show,” said Dimon. “Suppliers were interested in what they need to do to qualify, agents wanted to know how to get into the ‘niche,’ and consumers were asking all the expected questions: what wellness tourism is, how to work wellness into their travels, and where to go.”

Qualifying hotels, resorts, retreats, destination spas, tour operators and wellness travel companies may join as members, and organisations with a specific interest in the sector may join as partners.

Membership packages range from US$300 (€242, £214) for travel advisors to US$2,000 (€1,615, £1,425) for hotels and destination spas and US$3,500 (€2,826, £2,495) for tourism boards and DMOs.

“If an organisation has a true interest and investment in the travel sector, they will want to be part of this industry-focused collective,” said Dimon. “For some, it will be for credibility, for others it will be a combination of networking, education and marketing opportunities.”

The networking opportunities will begin immediately; WTA is planning an annual meeting, the first of which will take place in Q2 or Q3 2018, most likely in North America – possibly at one of the member locations – and will highlight what wellness tourism is and, based on the first WTA survey, what consumers are looking for in a wellness vacation. Gibson said he expects between 25 to 50 people to attend.

Moving forward, the WTA plans to collaborate with the Global Wellness Summit’s Wellness Tourism Initiative, and to have a presence at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai in April and the World Travel Market in London in November.

MORE NEWS
Yoga can help cancer recovery
Cancer patients who practise YOCAS yoga can benefit from reduced levels of inflammation – helping their road to recovery and even preventing cancer from returning.
Mandarin Oriental rolling out wellness music programming in spas worldwide
Spas operated by Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group (MOHG) will harness the healing power of music following the upcoming launch of a new Wellness Music Programme.
Soneva to open third Maldives retreat by end of 2023
Sonu Shivdasani, co-founder of barefoot luxury hotel and wellness brand Soneva, has confirmed there will be a new Soneva property open by the end of 2023.
GSN Planet launches Sustainable Spa Practitioner Course
Sustainabiilty-focused trade association GSN Planet has launched a new training programme to educate spa professionals about environmentally conscious spa management.
Florida’s natural springs inspire new Conrad Spa oasis opening at billion-dollar Orlando mega-resort
Hilton Hotels & Resorts will expand its luxury Conrad Hotels & Resorts brand with a new resort and luxury spa in Orlando, Florida, by the end of the year.
Cape of Senses spa hideaway opening on shores of Lake Garda this July
Cape of Senses, Lake Garda’s upcoming five-star, adult-only spa hideaway, is due to open its doors in South Tyrol on 8 July 2023.
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
Wynne Business Consulting and Education

Wynne Business, founded in 1998, specialises in creating, growing and fine- tuning spas, salons, wel [more...]
+ More profiles  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

11-14 Jun 2023

W3Spa EMEA

Le Meridien Lav, Split, Croatia
12-15 Jun 2023

World Fitness & Wellness Summit

Raffles City Convention Centre, Singapore
+ More diary  
 


CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2023

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS