Spa Finder Provides Sneak Preview of Spa Trends to Watch in 2004
Leading Spa Marketing and Publishing Company Predicts Big Spa Stories for the Year Ahead
NEW YORK, Every year, spas become more relevant to everyday Americans, as more and more people -- and more and more different types of people -- embrace spas to improve the way they look and feel. Spa Finder is at the very center of this unfolding story, representing the largest network of spas in the world and interacting with the largest audience of spa consumers.
In short, if 2003 was the year spas made a splash, with record visitation and broadening socioeconomic appeal, 2004 is shaping up to be the year spas really make a difference, by improving the way mainstream America eats, does business, and manages its health and stress.
Spa Finder's Top-10 Spa Stories to Watch in 2004:
* Medical spas provide a prescription for health and wellness
Consumers flocked to spas for medical services in 2003, albeit
primarily for cosmetic treatments (e.g., Botox injections). In 2004,
baby boomers will take advantage of medical spas for truly medical
purposes -- namely preventative health treatments and regimens, and
education for long-term health.
* America mixes business with (spa) pleasure -- Businesses will
increasingly use spas to build relationships, motivate employees, and
manage employee health. Spas will become fashionable business meeting
places for metropolitan firms. Gift certificates to spas will become
the new gift basket -- the ultimate "thank you" to important clients
and partners, and a compelling employee incentive. Innovative
businesses, including insurance providers, will underwrite regular spa
visits to promote employee health and productivity and to lower
medical costs.
* The "Destination Day Spa" hits the radar -- According to Spa Finder, a
hot new spa experience that's going to get even hotter in 2004 is the
"destination day spa." Moving beyond the itemized beauty and spa
treatments that are the focus of the typical day spa experience,
destination day spas offer a holistic mind/body/spirit experience
that's more akin to a day at a destination stay spa, minus the hotel
room. Visitors check in for a one-day mini retreat that can include
education programs, fitness programs, and healthy meals, in addition
to spa/beauty treatments.
* The spa experience becomes even more affordable and inclusive -- 2003
was a boom for spa/beauty products, as millions of Americans who
couldn't comfortably afford to go to spas sought to recreate the spa
experience at home. With the continued explosion of affordable spas
geared toward middle-income earners, however, more and more Americans
will now be able to forego the aromatherapy candles and bubble bath
and head to a nearby spa to enjoy professional treatments and wellness
programs. In short, 2004 will be the year the spas truly go
mainstream -- with record participation across the economic spectrum.
* International spa tours replace international spa treatments -- In
2003, international spa treatments were all the rage (Thai massage,
Balinese rituals, Ayurveda, etc.) In 2004, with a revived economy
and stock market, more and more upscale consumers will opt to go
straight to the source -- i.e., people will move beyond the Thai
massage and indulge in a "spas of Thailand" tour.
* Spa cuisine goes mainstream -- Spa cuisine will continue to break out
of the spa and into America's dining rooms, thanks to hot-selling spa
cookbooks and popular recipes. High-end spas will race to enlist
celebrity chefs, expand their menus, innovative branded diet programs,
and accommodate special diets (Atkins, South Beach, etc.). The
spa/cuisine crossover will play out at the opposite end of the divide
as well, as popular diet programs (for example, Pritikin) roll out spa
properties.
* Spas become the primary consideration for more travelers -- For years,
the fastest growing segment in the hospitality industry has been
hotels with spas. In 2004, that segment might have to be reversed to
read "spas with hotels" as the spa becomes an even bigger factor in
consumers' traveling decisions. In the year ahead, spas will become
more than just bullets on resort/hotel marketing collateral -- they'll
be the deciding factor, the primary draw.
* Spas become even more accommodating for pets -- Spas will keep pace
with the "empty nester" pet phenomenon by investing in kennels and dog
runs, offering pet treatments and programs -- in short, by encouraging
spa goers to bring their pets (and leave the guilt of vacationing
without them at home).
* ... and men -- In 2004 spas will continue to attract men with
male-focused offerings -- including golf, outdoor adventure
activities, male cosmetic treatments, and high-octane fitness
programs. Spa Finder predicts men -- and not just "metrosexuals"
will hit spas in record numbers, and that more and more day and stay
spas will offer equal facilities for men and women.
* ... and the entire family -- Last year saw an influx of teenage girls
at spas, who were drawn by the beauty treatments and the glamour of a
luxurious spa experience. This year, Spa Finder anticipates even
younger visitors, including boys. But, unlike the teen girls of 2003,
these young spa-goers will hit the spa with the whole family, and the
focus will be health and wellness. Spas will keep pace by offering
more family-oriented activities, spas-for-kids, and/or kids-only spa
programs.
About Spa Finder - As the spa industry's only integrated marketing solution, Spa Finder reaches millions of targeted consumers annually via Spa Finder Magazine, the Spa Enthusiast, Gift Certificates & Incentives, and