"The key message from the survey is the spa industry in the U.S. is recovering from the worst recession to hit the country in living memory," said Colin McIlheney, Global Research Director at PwC. "The most positive takeaway from the study is that the health of the industry has stabilized after the declines recorded last year. 'Cautiously optimistic' would sum up the recurring theme from many respondents."
HVS Chief Operating Officer Stephen Rushmore, Jr. has just announced the firm's newest division, HVS Spa and Leisure Services. Through a collaboration with WTS International, HVS Spa & Leisure Services will provide feasibility studies, design consulting, pre-opening services and management for spas, fitness centers and leisure facilities at hotels, resorts, residential projects and real estate developments worldwide. HVS Spa and Leisure Services will offer exceptional customer service while maximizing revenue and net operating profit for clients.
Sheraton and Westin will open its in-house, signature spa concepts in existing and new hotels with a primary focus in Asia. Shine Spa for Sheraton will make its debut at the Sheraton Yantai Golden Beach Resort, Sheraton Guangzhou Hotel, Sheraton Beijing Dongcheng Hotel, Sheraton Qinqyuan Resort and five other properties across Asia. Additionally, Shine Spa will open this year at the Sheraton Baku Airport Hotel in Azerbaijan. Heavenly Spa by Westin will open at The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa and four hotels across China including The Westin Wuhan Wuchang.
Six Senses is delighted to announce the opening of a Six Senses Spa at Hotel Missoni Kuwait in early Summer 2011. The Six Senses Spa, on the second floor of the new five-star designer hotel, will have 13 treatment rooms including two Hammams, separate areas for men and ladies, and a bridal room including salon, pedicure and manicure areas. The 1,500-square metre spa will also house a fitness centre with a mixed and ladies-only gym, yoga studio, experience shower, sauna, steam rooms and luxurious relaxation areas.
Westin worked with New York-based advertising agency BBH to develop the $30 million campaign, which consists of six unique executions that are currently running in print, online, and in a variety of out-of-home placements. This marks the Westin brand's first new ad campaign to debut in more than five years.
Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos will close out the ISPA Conference during the Wednesday, November 9 General Session. He will speak to attendees about the different ingredients used by Zappos.com to build a long-lasting enduring brand, including the importance of customer service and company culture. Hsieh will talk about how focusing on delivering happiness to customers and employees has enabled the company to expand beyond selling shoes to clothing, bags and other product categories.
"As eforea joins these landmark hotels in Thailand and several more in 2011, we will continue to elevate the Hilton guest experience."
Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts and Okura Hotels & Resorts marked their fifth year of successful partnership today in an event held in Singapore at Fullerton Hotel. In celebration of the milestone, both hotel groups organised an event showcasing a selection of their properties, attended by over a hundred clients and partners in Singapore.
At the International Spa Association annual conference and expo, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) announced it plans to expand its portfolio of hotel spas by more than 50 percent in the coming year. More than 150 new spas are planned or are in development at Starwood, which currently features more than 300 hotel spas across iconic hospitality brands, including W, St. Regis, Le Meridien, Westin, and Sheraton.
Hilton Hotels & Resorts unveils eforea: spa at Hilton, its new global spa concept that is poised to be one of the world's fastest growing spa brands. eforea: spa at Hilton features an exclusive menu of treatment journeys and innovative design elements, all providing a turnkey spa solution that owners can easily implement and customize. Leveraging its global reach and expertise, Hilton pulled the best elements and practices from Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and the Americas to create a unique concept for today's savvy global travelers.
As the voice of the global spa industry for 20 years, the International SPA Association continues its reputation for producing the most comprehensive and respected research with the release of the ISPA 2010 U.S. Spa Industry Study.
Medical tourism, the phenomenon whereby people who live in one country travel to another to receive medical, surgical or dental care for either personal or financial reasons, is of growing interest to U.S. travelers as revealed in the results of the Ypartnership/Harrison Group 2010 Portrait Of American Travelers (SM). Fielded in February 2010, the study details familiarity with the medical tourism concept, the reasons for considering this alternative to domestic care, and countries in which U.S. citizens would be most likely to seek this type of care.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) is proud to announce the launch of Shine for Sheraton, a global spa concept designed exclusively for Sheraton Hotels & Resorts. On the heels of the brand’s recent $6 billion brand revitalization effort, Shine for Sheraton will debut in new properties across the globe and as a new spa solution for existing hotels and resorts. Sheraton has selected Germaine de Capuccini, a leading global spa and skincare brand, as the preferred product partner for Shine spas.
Westin Hotels & Resorts continues the global expansion of its signature spa brand, the Heavenly Spa by Westin™, with the debut of two new Spas - The Westin Siray Bay Resort & Spa Phuket and The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa in Georgia. Each Heavenly Spa by Westin features signature treatments and experiences aimed at mind-body wellness and revitalization, including unique programs that reflect local culture and customs.
PATA aims to establish a Healthcare Travel Advisory Task Force, in conjunction with MEDICO Services International, Bangkok. Greg Duffell, CEO, PATA, is therefore seeking volunteers and vital contributions from PATA members with knowledge of, and experience in, this fast-expanding niche market across the Asia Pacific region.
As a response to the growing interest in both health tourism and personalized service, leading hotelier Barceló Hotels and Resorts announces the international debut of U Spa, an innovative spa concept providing specialized treatments based on each client’s specific needs.
Nineteen Hotel Management students from the University of Delaware were awarded Swiss Spa Management certificates Spas in a ceremony in Switzerland. Spas are one of the fastest growing segments in the hotel industry offering a variety of fitness, wellness, life enhancement and management opportunities. Students participated in classes, hands on spa activities at leading spas in Switzerland, Austria and Italy sharpening their skills for future spa management careers.
Spas, treatments and innovative products competed in nine different categories for the popular European Health & Spa Award, which is given away every year by the Agency for Wellness and Health. The Austrian software vendor TAC with its Digital Signage solution was nominated for "Best technical product innovation".
The International SPA Association (ISPA) and Smith Travel Research (STR) are pleased to announce that the Spa STAR report, a benchmarking tool for all types of spas, is now available. The report will aid spas in making well-informed and more profitable operating decisions. The online Spa STAR report allows spas to enter in data in three main categories: treatments (such as massages and facials), salon (such as manicure, pedicure and hair) and retail.
W Hotels Worldwide, the hotel category buster and industry innovator, has unveiled W Retreat & Spa - Vieques Island, the W brand’s 37th hotel globally and its first retreat within North America. Owned by REIG CAPITAL, through its affiliate Vieques Hotel Partners, W Vieques is located only eight miles off the southeast coast of Puerto Rico and opens as the second W Retreat in the world, following the successful opening of W Retreat & Spa – Maldives in 2006. As W Hotels continues its transformation into a global powerhouse, on track to expand its portfolio to more than 50 hotels by the end of 2011, W is slated to open nine new hotels this year, including two retreat properties in Bali and Koh Samui, Thailand.