Recent Global Spa & Wellness Summit (GSWS), which takes place annually, defined newest trends for the industry and underlined such key factors as gender shift, growing importance of sustainability and increasing popularity of Africa. The following trends will impact development of the industry in future.
Soon many spa centres may change their look. For decades their design and architecture were based on Asian influences, but this may be changed soon as sustainable design in the new trend in the industry. It looks fresh and increases excitement of guests. Another trend in design and treatments concerns authenticity. Mass urbanization and growing importance of Millennial customers have made it vital for spa centres to provide its guests with “one of a kind experience”. Treatments, in their turn, become more sophisticated and personalized. Various genetic tests allow finding out what chronic diseases certain customer is prone to, and so right treatments will help to prevent that condition.
If before Baby Boomers with plenty of free time were the most attractive group for spas, now the situation starts changing in favor of other generation Millennials and generation Z. It is also forecasted that by 2030 as many as 80% of all people will live in cities, and so people will crave for simplicity and wellness or fitness close to nature. Moreover, 60% of these urban citizens will be single, and new wellness treatments will be targeted at fighting that feeling of loneliness.
Finally, Africa is expected to become the most popular destination for wellness tourism. Spa revenues in the region showed growth of 186% from 2007 to 2013, and the figure is expected to grow.