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Spa Executive November 2023

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ISSUE #49 NOVEMBER <strong>2023</strong><br />

SPA EXECUTIVE<br />

FOR LEADERS IN THE BUSINESS OF WELLNESS<br />

THE TRENDS ISSUE<br />

SPOTLIGHT<br />

Auberge’s new Global VP of Wellbeing,<br />

Vivianne Garcia-Tunon, talks wellbeing &<br />

wellness travel<br />

FEATURE<br />

2024 <strong>Spa</strong> & Wellness Trends: gender<br />

inclusivity, anti-ageism, thermal bathing<br />

& more<br />

MANAGEMENT<br />

Dear Sal, what can I do with 2<br />

employees who hate each other?


PUBLISHER<br />

Roger Sholanki<br />

Note from the Publisher<br />

EDITOR, CREATIVE DIRECTOR<br />

Elizabeth Bromstein<br />

Dear readers,<br />

DESIGNER<br />

Design Pickle<br />

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR,<br />

PRODUCTION MANAGER<br />

Sal Capizzi<br />

It’s Q4 of <strong>2023</strong>, time to make our spa & wellness trends predictions for 2024. This is a labor<br />

of love, for which we pull from news and research from around the world, as well as<br />

interviews and insights from thought leaders, while also relying on our own instinct and<br />

intuition to bring you the trends we’re watching in the coming year.<br />

We know some people are averse to the word "trend", as it can imply fleeting fads and<br />

bandwagon jumping. But let’s remember that the first definition of a “trend” is “a general<br />

direction in which something is developing or changing.” And, as we all know, the spa,<br />

wellness, and hospitality industries are forever developing and changing, with societal<br />

movements, new technologies, advancements in scientific research, and much more.<br />

Among the trends we’re watching are the anti-ageism movement, micro workouts and mini<br />

meditations, a surge in companies maximizing revenue through yield management, a<br />

continued boom in wellness travel, and a wave of renewed interest in thermal bathing.<br />

We’ve listed these in this issue and also in our downloadable 2024 <strong>Spa</strong> & Wellness Trends<br />

Report: A Hospitality Handbook.<br />

Meanwhile, we asked our Spotlight interviewee, Vivianne Garcia-Tunon, Auberge’s new<br />

Global VP of Wellbeing, to talk about the developments she’s excited about, as well as about<br />

her new role and plans for the brand.<br />

I trust that the insights in this edition of <strong>Spa</strong> <strong>Executive</strong> will empower you with valuable<br />

knowledge to propel your business forward - and we hope you enjoy reading.<br />

Warm regards,<br />

Roger Sholanki,<br />

CEO, Book4Time<br />

<strong>Spa</strong> <strong>Executive</strong><br />

<strong>Spa</strong> <strong>Executive</strong> is Book4Time’s<br />

magazine for leaders in the<br />

business of wellness. News,<br />

views, and interviews for those<br />

who want to attract top talent,<br />

increase customer retention,<br />

and offer the best possible<br />

guest experience.


Contents<br />

<strong>November</strong> <strong>2023</strong><br />

4<br />

6<br />

Volume 49<br />

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT: TRIPFUSION<br />

MANAGEMENT<br />

Dear Sal, what can I do with 2 employees who<br />

hate each other?<br />

8<br />

10<br />

12<br />

14<br />

16<br />

19<br />

22<br />

SPECIAL ISSUE<br />

2024 SPA & WELLNESS TRENDS<br />

ANTI-AGEISM TAKES ON ANTI-AGING<br />

RETHINKING GENDER IDENTITY & INCLUSIVITY<br />

YIELD MANAGEMENT IS REDEFINING<br />

REVENUE POTENTIAL<br />

THERMAL BATHING SEES BUOYANT INTEREST<br />

TIME-OPTIMIZED WELLNESS, MICRO<br />

WORKOUTS & MINI MEDITATIONS<br />

INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO WELLNESS<br />

TRAVEL EXPERIENCES<br />

SPOTLIGHT<br />

Auberge’s new Global VP of Wellbeing,<br />

Vivianne Garcia-Tunon, talks wellbeing,<br />

wellness travel & more<br />

24<br />

FEATURED PROPERTY:<br />

Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort &<br />

Mineral Springs


TripFusion: Transforming travel with<br />

seamless booking integration<br />

TripFusion by Vacayou is turning the tide with<br />

cutting-edge software designed to provide a<br />

flawless wellness travel booking experience.<br />

TripFusion empowers hotels and resorts<br />

to package rooms with spa and wellness<br />

experiences and activity bookings, bringing these<br />

two trends together, and catering to this wildly<br />

lucrative market of health-conscious travelers.<br />

The travel industry is operating in a new<br />

era, where convenience and customization<br />

are not just valued but expected.<br />

Consumers want cohesive, personalized,<br />

stress-free experiences. The global wellness<br />

economy, meanwhile, is booming, expected<br />

to reach $8.5 trillion by 2027.<br />

Vacayou is a leading wellness travel<br />

marketplace founded in 2019 by Muirgheal<br />

Montecalvo, an industry veteran with an<br />

entrepreneurial spirit. Headquartered in<br />

Tampa, Florida, Vacayou curates the best<br />

experiences geared to wellness travelers,<br />

a market willing to spend 177% more<br />

than average travelers, especially on spa<br />

experiences.<br />

But after several years in business, the<br />

team at Vacayou came to the realization<br />

that, despite the demand for wellness<br />

travel, the process of designing spa<br />

and wellness packages was strangely<br />

cumbersome for both guest and hotelier.<br />

The Fragmentation Frustration<br />

The traditional travel booking model is often<br />

fragmented and frustrating for consumers<br />

trying to reserve additional services with<br />

their hotel or resort room in advance. In<br />

an age where efficiency is everything, the<br />

inconvenience of managing multiple booking<br />

processes has become an outdated and<br />

costly affair.<br />

So they asked: as more people look for<br />

retreat and restoration, how can hotels<br />

best accommodate this high-yield travel?<br />

Enter TripFusion, Vacayou’s innovative B2B<br />

SaaS solution. TripFusion elegantly syncs a<br />

hotel’s reservation systems with its ancillary<br />

amenities and services, ensuring that never<br />

again will a hotel guest arrive to find that the<br />

spa is fully booked or their activity bookings<br />

don’t line up with their hotel reservations.<br />

TripFusion’s unique solution<br />

TripFusion addresses fragmentation<br />

frustration head-on with a dynamic booking<br />

system that enables guests to customize<br />

their stay and amenities through a single,<br />

streamlined checkout process. As a guest<br />

selects room accommodations, they have<br />

the option right in the checkout screen to<br />

select available services and activities, like<br />

spa appointments and other experiences, in<br />

real-time. The hotel guest is happy because<br />

they can immediately know if the spa<br />

services and wellness experiences they want<br />

to book will be available to them — before<br />

hitting that payment button.<br />

4<br />

| <strong>Spa</strong> <strong>Executive</strong>


The value this brings to hospitality groups<br />

and spas is enormous – not only does<br />

it elevate the customer experience, it<br />

also increases spa revenue, revenue per<br />

occupied room (RevPOR), and significantly<br />

reduces administrative tasks.<br />

Beyond the booking: the guest experience<br />

Between multiple emails and calls, a<br />

splintered booking process is simply not<br />

conducive to a good guest experience, even<br />

with the most professional staff. TripFusion<br />

is designed with the guest experience at its<br />

core. For the spa concierge, gone are the<br />

hours of back and forth conversations and<br />

emails with guests. By offering a seamless<br />

booking process that allows guests to<br />

reserve appointments in tandem with their<br />

rooms, TripFusion eliminates the friction that<br />

typically comes with separate bookings.<br />

Whether you’re booking direct or distributing on Vacayou, with TripFusion and Book4Time,<br />

the benefits include:<br />

Increased revenue: By enabling the simultaneous sale of rooms and additional<br />

services, hotels offering spa and wellness services see a direct increase in RevPOR.<br />

Operational simplicity: Simplified operations lead to reduced administrative costs<br />

and frustrations.<br />

Elevated guest experience: The seamless booking journey results in higher guest<br />

satisfaction and loyalty.<br />

The partnership of Book4Time and TripFusion stands alone at the forefront of this industry<br />

innovation, giving spas and hotels the opportunity to make unique branded offers, and<br />

providing an unmatched competitive edge. Learn more:<br />

https://www.tripfusion.com/<br />

TripFusion’s is a complete solution to the<br />

disjointed problem. The game-changing<br />

technology doesn’t just simplify the booking<br />

process, it creates a seamless bridge<br />

between a hotel’s reservation system and spa<br />

ancillary amenities and experiences in realtime,<br />

utilizing AI-powered dynamic packages<br />

to maximize efficiency and profitability.<br />

Book4Time + TripFusion: a passport to a<br />

seamless & enriched travel future<br />

With Book4Time and TripFusion, you can<br />

provide a seamless experience to guests<br />

looking for the perfect wellness getaway.<br />

And, since TripFusion is a part of Vacayou,<br />

you can also choose to promote those same<br />

packages and journeys directly to those<br />

high-yielding wellness travelers searching on<br />

vacayou.com!<br />

5<br />

| <strong>Spa</strong> <strong>Executive</strong>


Dear Sal, what can I do with 2 employees<br />

who hate each other?<br />

Sal Capizzi<br />

In Dear Sal, Sal Capizzi, Marketing Director<br />

at Book4Time and a former Director of <strong>Spa</strong><br />

and Wellness at NEXUS Luxury Collection,<br />

shares his expert insight into your reader<br />

questions. Here he talks about how to hire<br />

the best spa employees.<br />

Send your queries about managing<br />

staff, operations, and anything else you<br />

want to know (challenge him!) to<br />

scapizzi@spaexecutive.com<br />

Q. Dear Sal,<br />

I need help. I manage a medium-sized<br />

spa with about 30 employees, including<br />

massage therapists, aestheticians,<br />

and front desk staff. Most of them get<br />

along well, but there are two therapists<br />

who just don’t get along and I find<br />

this incredibly frustrating. One (1) has<br />

been with the company longer, is an<br />

excellent massage therapist, and has<br />

a long list of regular customers and<br />

many repeat requests. The other (2)<br />

is also a very good therapist who has<br />

fewer regulars because they are newer<br />

to the team. As such, 1 tends to leave<br />

menial tasks for 2 to take care of, the<br />

rationale being that they are “busier,”<br />

and also talks down to them and bosses<br />

them around. 2 was patient to a point<br />

but is beginning to crack – they will do<br />

the tasks, because they don’t want to<br />

leave things undone and are a good<br />

employee, but they are not enjoying<br />

it. This tension is spilling over onto<br />

the rest of the team and infecting the<br />

atmosphere at work. I don’t blame 2. I<br />

like this employee and their work ethic<br />

and don’t want to lose them.<br />

I’ve tried talking to 1 but they are a bit<br />

of a diva and not easy to reach, and<br />

frankly, they could go work anywhere<br />

they want and I can’t afford to lose<br />

them. I can’t afford to lose either of<br />

them, staffing challenges being what<br />

they are. What can I do??<br />

A. Hey there, Thank you for reaching out!<br />

Wow this sounds like quite the conundrum.<br />

I’m sorry to hear about the challenges<br />

you’re facing.<br />

First, let’s acknowledge the strengths of<br />

both therapists. It’s clear that both Therapist<br />

1 and 2 bring valuable skills to the team.<br />

Their different styles and experiences can<br />

complement each other beautifully if you<br />

6<br />

| <strong>Spa</strong> <strong>Executive</strong>


can find a way to bridge the communication<br />

gap. I personally would first have private<br />

conversations with each therapist. Praise<br />

them for their exceptional skills and<br />

contributions. Express your appreciation for<br />

their dedication to the spa.<br />

But this is where I would also turn my<br />

leadership cap around to the other side<br />

where it says “manager.” You must clarify<br />

expectations during these meetings as well.<br />

Clearly define the roles and responsibilities of<br />

each team member. Emphasize that everyone<br />

is expected to contribute to the overall<br />

success of the spa, regardless of seniority.<br />

If the problem continues after you have had<br />

your individual conversations with them<br />

both it’s time for some good ole fashion<br />

mediation and lay it all out on the table<br />

with another manager in the room also<br />

that can help suggest out of the box ideas<br />

and solutions. The purpose of this would<br />

be to come to a mutual conclusion so<br />

nothing as far as expectations can get lost<br />

in translation in further 1-on-1 meetings,<br />

you have a business to run. You could also<br />

subtly make them have a good time together<br />

by organizing a team-building activity or<br />

workshops to strengthen the bonds among<br />

these two but also all of your staff members.<br />

It sounds like it might be a good time to start<br />

planning this!<br />

Also, be regimented with rewards and<br />

recognitions for the overall team! Implement a<br />

system to recognize and reward outstanding<br />

performance and teamwork. This will motivate<br />

everyone to work better together.<br />

Remember, change may not happen<br />

overnight, but with consistent effort and<br />

positive reinforcement, we<br />

can create a more inclusive and<br />

supportive environment!<br />

7<br />

| <strong>Spa</strong> <strong>Executive</strong>


2024 <strong>Spa</strong> & Wellness Trends<br />

Anti-ageism takes on anti-aging<br />

The anti-ageism movement is a growing one<br />

as people have had enough of “anti-aging”<br />

and outright ageism, “one of the last socially<br />

acceptable prejudices.”<br />

Four years ago, we published an article<br />

suggesting that it was time to rethink<br />

the term “anti-aging” and, while the idea<br />

didn’t take off like a rocket at the time, a<br />

slow build followed. This was something<br />

we actually predicted. “Movements don’t<br />

usually start with a bang,” we wrote, “but<br />

with a whisper.”<br />

These days, people everywhere – particularly<br />

women – are talking about how sick and tired<br />

they are of being told they should want to<br />

look, and be, younger, and the pushback is<br />

real. Women face ageism in the workplace, on<br />

the job search, in media, and from the beauty<br />

and wellness industries. It’s everywhere.<br />

As skincare is being marketed to increasingly<br />

younger audiences, often through fearbased<br />

messaging designed to prey on girls<br />

with already low self esteem, people are<br />

saying “enough.”<br />

Ageism is one of the last socially<br />

acceptable prejudices<br />

Ageism is one of the last socially acceptable<br />

prejudices,” reads a recent headline from<br />

the American Psychological Association,<br />

“Psychologists are working to change that.”<br />

The article reads: “From ‘antiaging’ face<br />

creams to wisecracking birthday cards about<br />

getting older to ‘OK, boomer’ memes, the<br />

message is clear: Being old is something<br />

to avoid.” The author adds: “It is clear that<br />

ageism has a host of negative effects, for<br />

people’s physical and mental well-being and<br />

society as a whole.”<br />

And the only alternative to aging is … well …<br />

dying. So, why would we be against it?<br />

It seems important that the wellness<br />

industry not perpetuate this type of<br />

discrimination and that people are wary of<br />

the messages they are sending. Suggesting<br />

to women that what they need is something<br />

to make them look younger may no longer<br />

land the way you think it will. As a business,<br />

knowing your audience is crucial. Women<br />

over 40 have big purchasing power and you<br />

don’t want to insult or alienate them.<br />

For example, Elizabeth ( Editor in Chief at<br />

<strong>Spa</strong> <strong>Executive</strong>), was recently buying perfume<br />

and asked if there were any free samples.<br />

The younger woman behind the counter<br />

said “sure!” and cheerfully stuffed something<br />

in the bag. Later, when Elizabeth looked in<br />

the bag, expecting to find perfume samples,<br />

she found a sample of neck firming cream.<br />

Elizabeth, who is perfectly happy with her<br />

neck and has no interest in firming creams,<br />

found the young woman’s presumption<br />

surprising and irritating. A more easily<br />

offended person might have been put off<br />

from ever returning to that business.<br />

Pro-aging & anti-ageism movements are<br />

growing on social media<br />

As it was with fat shaming and the<br />

relentlessly insensitive weight loss<br />

messaging that spawned the body positivity<br />

and body neutrality movements a few years<br />

ago, pro-aging and anti-ageism movements<br />

are growing on social media.<br />

8<br />

| <strong>Spa</strong> <strong>Executive</strong>


Hashtags like #ilookmyage and accounts<br />

with names like Ageism Is Never in Style<br />

and aging_is_amazing have hundreds of<br />

thousands of followers – and not just as<br />

tokenism or new wrapping for tired, old<br />

ideas. They’re not marketing anti-aging<br />

creams and serums under the guise of “pro<br />

aging” or “aging gracefully,” but rather, these<br />

are accounts for women with gray hair,<br />

natural skin, wrinkles, and big smiles.<br />

Celebrities are also talking. Among them,<br />

supermodel Paulina Porizkova has been<br />

outspoken against ageism and persistent<br />

in sharing her true face. So, the now<br />

58-year-old was unimpressed when last<br />

year, she says, a plastic surgeon shared a<br />

photo of her and pointed out everything<br />

“wrong” with it. In response, Porizkova<br />

reshared the image with her<br />

own comments.<br />

She wrote: “telling a woman what she<br />

‘needs’ to do herself in order to be seen as<br />

attractive, whether it’s hair color, makeup,<br />

skin creams or clothing – or the more<br />

invasive options – is shaming her. Every time<br />

you catch yourself thinking or saying ‘you<br />

know, you should…’ to a friend, stop for a<br />

moment. If she doesn’t ask for help, are you<br />

really helping?”<br />

View the Instagram post here<br />

Other women who have broached the topic<br />

include Andie MacDowell, Sarah Jessica<br />

Parker, and Jamie Lee Curtis, who said at<br />

the Reframing Aging Summit hosted by<br />

Maria Shriver in March, “This word ‘antiaging’<br />

has to be struck. I am pro-aging. I<br />

want to age with intelligence, and grace,<br />

and dignity, and verve, and energy. I don’t<br />

want to hide it. I’m not denying what I look<br />

like, of course I’ve seen what I look like. I am<br />

trying to live in acceptance.”<br />

Others are realizing that self acceptance is<br />

key. A Washington Post article states:<br />

“Age bias doesn’t show up only as blatant<br />

discrimination (‘We want someone younger<br />

for that job.’) or snarky birthday cards. One<br />

of the most potent sources of ageism comes<br />

from older people themselves, and like<br />

other forms of ageism, the self-inflicted kind<br />

is associated with lower levels of emotional<br />

and physical health and can slash years off<br />

people’s lives.”<br />

This self acceptance means tuning out the<br />

voices of discrimination telling you that<br />

you’re not good enough and should be<br />

trying to look 25 again.<br />

Brands & media are getting the message and<br />

changing their messaging<br />

Brands and media are getting the message.<br />

For example:<br />

The Body Shop recently changed<br />

the name of its best-selling “Drops<br />

of Youth” serum to “Edelweiss,”<br />

reportedly motivated by research<br />

identifying the negative impact the<br />

beauty industry’s messaging is having<br />

on its consumers.<br />

Zara has named 67-year-old <strong>Spa</strong>nish<br />

actress Angela Molina as the face of its<br />

new campaign, and<br />

71-year-old actress and model Isabella<br />

Rossellini appeared on the October<br />

<strong>2023</strong> cover of Vogue Italia. Unlike<br />

81-year-old Martha Stewart’s heavily<br />

altered Sports Illustrated cover, which<br />

missed the mark with some people,<br />

Rossellini appeared with no digital<br />

altering of her face.<br />

Will we see a lot of pandering and<br />

tokenism? Absolutely, just like when brands<br />

started self consciously using models<br />

with a wider range of body types in their<br />

marketing while loudly calling attention<br />

to the fact and demanding accolades for<br />

it. But now, about a decade later, thanks<br />

to more brands jumping on-board and<br />

to social media, that representation is<br />

somewhat normalized.<br />

So it will likely be with aging. Like weight<br />

loss products, there will always be a<br />

market for anti-aging products but it<br />

will shrink, and change, as older women<br />

become accustomed to seeing themselves<br />

represented in faces similar to their own<br />

smiling back at them.<br />

9<br />

| <strong>Spa</strong> <strong>Executive</strong>


2024 <strong>Spa</strong> & Wellness Trends<br />

Rethinking gender identity & inclusivity<br />

Increased discourse around gender diversity<br />

and inclusivity in all sectors, including<br />

spa and wellness, is leading to changes in<br />

practices and policies.<br />

In recent years, there has been increased<br />

discourse around diversity, and a notable<br />

shift in societal perception around gender<br />

identity and inclusivity.<br />

Traditional binary notions of gender, which<br />

have long categorized individuals as either<br />

male or female based on biological sex,<br />

are being challenged and redefined and<br />

many are moving towards acceptance of<br />

a spectrum of gender identities, including<br />

non-binary, genderqueer, genderfluid,<br />

and transgender.<br />

As awareness around the topic grows, many<br />

sectors, including spa and wellness, are<br />

re-evaluating traditional gender norms and<br />

standards, and thinking about how best to<br />

accommodate transgender and non-binary<br />

guests – and how to implement related<br />

policies and practices. This is in the spirit<br />

of inclusivity, as well as due to increasing<br />

risk of being accused of discrimination and<br />

human rights violations.<br />

A business accused of violating<br />

anti-discrimination laws can face legal<br />

consequences (lawsuits, penalties,<br />

and fines), reputation damage, loss of<br />

partnerships and more issues that can<br />

create financial strain. <strong>Spa</strong>s in both the<br />

US and Canada have faced human rights<br />

complaints related to transgender guests in<br />

the last few years.<br />

ISPA recently devoted its September <strong>2023</strong><br />

Town Hall to the topic of gender inclusivity.<br />

ISPA Chairman, Patrick Huey, lead the<br />

discussion, titled Implementing Inclusive<br />

Gender Identity Policies & Best Practices, with<br />

panelists Brennan Evans (Trilogy), Heidi<br />

Smith-Mullen (Miraval), Jessica Swartley<br />

(Stowe Mountain Lodge), Catherine Warren<br />

(Arch Amenities Group), and Kristen Eber<br />

(Rosefinch <strong>Spa</strong>), with each sharing their<br />

views and experience. And earlier, in 2022,<br />

<strong>Spa</strong> Business published an article titled,<br />

“Everyone’s talking about: Going gender<br />

neutral” stating that “Many trans and<br />

non–binary people would love to visit a<br />

spa but report having concerns about the<br />

experience and the welcome. It’s time to go<br />

gender neutral.”<br />

What this means for spas and wellness<br />

businesses will depend on the business’<br />

demographic and location, and what local<br />

laws and human rights codes dictate. Some<br />

of the topics under consideration when<br />

it comes to practices and policies around<br />

gender diversity and inclusivity include:<br />

Policies & procedures: Reviewing and<br />

updating policies and procedures, the<br />

design of which may depend on local laws<br />

and codes. These policies might include<br />

revising dress codes to be gender-neutral<br />

or accommodating, ensuring equal<br />

access to all amenities, and providing<br />

clear guidelines for handling any related<br />

complaints or issues.<br />

Facilities: Some businesses are creating<br />

gender neutral spaces, be it in locker rooms<br />

or smaller spaces, like single use restrooms,<br />

or providing private, lockable changing<br />

10 | <strong>Spa</strong> <strong>Executive</strong>


ooms or stalls, to provide options for<br />

all genders.<br />

Staff training: How best to educate team<br />

members about gender diversity, inclusivity,<br />

and sensitivity, including the importance<br />

of using inclusive language and treating all<br />

guests with respect and dignity. Plus, training<br />

on how to manage related complaints or<br />

issues while adhering to policy.<br />

Marketing and Communications: using<br />

inclusive language and imagery in marketing<br />

materials and representing diversity in<br />

advertising and promotional materials to<br />

make potential guests feel welcome.<br />

Feedback mechanisms: Creating systems<br />

guests to provide feedback on their<br />

experiences to help identify and address<br />

any issues related to inclusivity that may<br />

arise and to make the experience more<br />

comfortable for everyone involved.<br />

Inclusivity in hiring: Encouraging diversity<br />

in hiring practices to create an inclusive<br />

workplace where employees of all genders<br />

feel comfortable and respected.<br />

Legal compliance: As mentioned above,<br />

ensuring that policies and practices comply<br />

with local and national laws regarding<br />

gender identity and expression, as well as<br />

other aspects of discrimination and<br />

equal treatment.<br />

The evolving landscape of gender inclusivity<br />

is not a passing fad but a fundamental shift<br />

shaping the future of industries, including<br />

spas and wellness. This transformation<br />

is indicative of a broader societal<br />

evolution that, as the trend continues to<br />

gain momentum, will redefine the way<br />

businesses operate in many areas.<br />

11 | <strong>Spa</strong> <strong>Executive</strong>


2024 <strong>Spa</strong> & Wellness Trends<br />

Yield management is redefining<br />

revenue potential<br />

Yield management has been in use in the airline<br />

and hotel industry for years, but only recently is<br />

a wider audience cluing into its potential.<br />

yield can be managed in a variety of ways<br />

through a range of applications and applied<br />

to spas, activities, amenities, and more.<br />

Last-minute deals: Offer discounts for<br />

unsold capacity as the service date or time<br />

approaches to stimulate demand.<br />

Yield management is the business practice<br />

of leveraging data to optimize pricing and<br />

capacity utilization based on fluctuating<br />

demand and availability. By understanding<br />

and capitalizing on the patterns in your<br />

data, businesses can boost their revenue<br />

potential, approach maximum capacity<br />

utilization, and enhance the overall customer<br />

experience at your spa and for your hotel or<br />

resort’s other ancillary revenue streams.<br />

This pricing strategy has been in use in<br />

the airline industry for decades and many<br />

major hotel brands have been using<br />

dynamic pricing for several years. But it’s<br />

only recently that a wider audience is cluing<br />

in to its potential. More and more people<br />

are starting to see that it’s not just about<br />

adjusting room rates or changing prices<br />

based on time of day or year, and that<br />

Increased revenue by $8 million with an<br />

80% profit<br />

Someone in the know is Suzanne Holbrooke,<br />

Marriott’s Senior Corporate Director of<br />

<strong>Spa</strong> Operations, who, more than a decade<br />

ago launched a company wide program<br />

to incentivize spa front desk staff to offer<br />

treatment upgrades like stones, face masks,<br />

CBD, and scalp treatments for an additional<br />

cost. “This increased revenue by $8 million<br />

in 2019 with an 80% profit,” she told us in<br />

an interview. “There are many facets to yield<br />

management,” she said.<br />

Examples of creative ways to use<br />

yield management<br />

Some more granular examples of ways in<br />

which companies are managing yield:<br />

Early-bird discounts: Encourage<br />

customers to book early by offering lower<br />

prices.<br />

Variable capacity: Adjust the available<br />

capacity based on demand forecasts, such<br />

as having flexible staffing levels.<br />

Categorizing inventory/capacity: For<br />

example, airlines divide their seats into<br />

various fare classes, releasing them for<br />

booking at different times and prices.<br />

Similarly, this could work for treatment<br />

rooms, service stations, and cabanas.<br />

Utilization % Rate: As your spa or facility<br />

fills up your system will automatically adjust<br />

prices to a designated yield rule of your<br />

choice, allowing you to maximize revenue<br />

during these high traffic times.<br />

12 | <strong>Spa</strong> <strong>Executive</strong>


Blocking inventory: Holding back some<br />

capacity to be released closer to the<br />

service date, especially when higher prices<br />

are anticipated.<br />

Blackout dates: Restricting or not allowing<br />

discounts or special offers during peak<br />

demand periods.<br />

Package deals: Bundle products or services<br />

together at a discounted price, often leading<br />

to increased overall sales.<br />

Book4Time CEO, Roger Sholanki, says,<br />

“Revenue and yield management are<br />

easier to manage than ever before with the<br />

development of powerful data collection<br />

tools combined with cross department<br />

integrations and intuitive, easy to use<br />

tools and interfaces. Our customers are<br />

discovering new ways to manage revenue<br />

and yield that would have been unthinkable<br />

just a few years ago. Book4Time’s reporting<br />

dashboards with their wide range of<br />

accurate data points allow for better<br />

forecasting and help decision makers cut<br />

through the noise to find simple solutions in<br />

complex numbers.”<br />

This development is redefining how an<br />

entire industry views revenue potential and<br />

will continue to do so. Business leaders<br />

are catching on to the fact that for fixed<br />

capacity industries like hotels, airlines, and<br />

spas, mastering the art of yield management<br />

can spell the difference between mediocre<br />

returns and roaring success.<br />

13 | <strong>Spa</strong> <strong>Executive</strong>


2024 <strong>Spa</strong> & Wellness Trends<br />

Thermal bathing sees buoyant interest<br />

The buoyant enthusiasm for thermal<br />

bathing has been attributed to an increased<br />

consumer desire to connect with nature and<br />

with other people.<br />

Thermal bathing has seen a surge of global<br />

interest in the last few years. The Global<br />

Wellness Institute tagged this growing trend<br />

in 2022, and <strong>Spa</strong> Business did the same,<br />

covering developments in thermal bathing<br />

in New Zealand, Australia, and the US,<br />

where, the magazine stated, the hot springs<br />

scene was “on fire.” And this one looks like<br />

it’s still growing.<br />

The buoyant enthusiasm for what is<br />

commonly referred to as “taking the<br />

waters” has been attributed to an increased<br />

consumer desire to connect with nature and<br />

with other people – probably related to the<br />

isolation many endured during the COVID<br />

pandemic. Bathing in hot springs and warm<br />

pools is largely a social activity, and many<br />

industry thought leaders did indeed predict<br />

that communal activities would see a surge<br />

when restrictions were lifted.<br />

Record breaking visitation numbers at<br />

thermal bathing sites<br />

Vicky Nash, executive director of the US<br />

Hot Springs Association told <strong>Spa</strong> Business<br />

that about 50 hot springs projects were in<br />

development in the US at that time. “There’s<br />

definitely a renewed interest in hot springs<br />

properties,” she is quoted as saying. “These<br />

past two years, health-conscious consumers<br />

have been utilizing geothermal pools and<br />

baths in greater numbers, seeking more<br />

natural immune-boosting activities and<br />

many resorts have recently experienced<br />

record-breaking visitation numbers.”<br />

The tradition of taking the waters has a<br />

long history, with examples like Turkey’s<br />

Pamukkale, Italy’s Abano and Montegrotto,<br />

Hungary’s Kiraly Bath, Slovenia’s Terme<br />

Dobrna, and the UK’s city of Bath, where<br />

we now find the Thermae Bath <strong>Spa</strong>. Some<br />

of today’s well-known thermal spas include<br />

Iceland’s Blue Lagoon, Germany’s Therme<br />

Erding, Japan’s Kusatsu Onsen, and<br />

many more.,<br />

New builds & restorations<br />

Renowned spas around the world are<br />

seeing new life, including Tuscany’s Grotta<br />

Giusti Thermal <strong>Spa</strong> Resort. After it was<br />

acquired by Marriott, the historic 19th<br />

Century property underwent a two-yearlong<br />

resort-wide refurbishment, reopening<br />

in 2022. Located in Montecatini Terme,<br />

Grotta Giusti boasts an underground<br />

thermal cave thought to be 130 million<br />

years old, the largest in Europe, renowned<br />

for its healing properties. With newly<br />

refreshed spa, guestrooms, restaurants,<br />

and hotel bar, Grotta Giusti offers a variety<br />

of bathhouse-style experiences, including<br />

Roman baths, saunas, and experience<br />

showers. The highlight is the thermal<br />

cave, divided into three areas of varying<br />

temperatures. Additional treatments,<br />

changing rooms, and a spa garden are part<br />

of the expanded spa experience.<br />

North America, meanwhile, is warming<br />

up to the wellness ritual with older<br />

spas undergoing renovations and<br />

transformations and new locations<br />

14 | <strong>Spa</strong> <strong>Executive</strong>


emerging in the US and Canada. Among<br />

the US spas undergoing renewals are<br />

Murrieta Hot Springs Resort. Set to open<br />

in February 2024, the Southern California<br />

spot has been closed to the public for 30<br />

years. Visitors will have access to more than<br />

50 geothermal pools, water features, and<br />

cold plunges, a “mud loft” and panoramic<br />

sauna. <strong>Spa</strong> treatments will be inspired<br />

by the minerals in the geothermal water,<br />

abundant agricultural region, and mud<br />

bathing history.<br />

And Canada’s Fairmont Lake Louise, in<br />

Banff, Alberta, is building a state-of-the-art,<br />

eco-friendly well-being thermal wellness<br />

facility. Construction on the facility, which is<br />

located on the site of the hotel’s previous<br />

outdoor pool – which was built in 1926<br />

and closed in 1980 – began in 2022 and it<br />

will open to the public in 2024. The space<br />

will feature a steam ritual, a sequence of<br />

vitality pools, saunas, a room dedicated<br />

to exfoliation and rinsing, and a lounge<br />

serving food and drink made with locally<br />

sourced ingredients to create “dishes that<br />

complement a soul awakening.”<br />

in 2022 offering indoor hydrotherapy with<br />

a combination of hot and cold facilities<br />

and a full line-up of wellness treatments.<br />

SKA offers evening “social hours” featuring<br />

“a more lively environment for guests to<br />

socialize, celebrate or simply take part in<br />

conversation with friends.”<br />

Forena Cité Thermale, St Bruno,<br />

Quebec: Forena Cité Thermale is a massive<br />

complex at the base of Mont Saint Bruno,<br />

offering bathing circuits and massotherapy,<br />

thermotherapy, and aesthetic care inspired<br />

by Icelandic, German, and Russian traditions.<br />

The Cité opened in 2020, right before the<br />

COVID shutdowns.<br />

The <strong>Spa</strong> at Séc-he, Palm Springs: The<br />

Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians<br />

opened The <strong>Spa</strong> at Séc-he at the Agua<br />

Caliente Cultural Plaza in <strong>2023</strong>, located<br />

at the tribe’s sacred hot mineral spring,<br />

adjacent to Agua Caliente Casino Palm<br />

Springs. Séc-he translates to “the sound of<br />

boiling water” in the Cahuilla language, and<br />

the springs are sacred to the tribe, which<br />

has been their steward for generations.<br />

New projects in Canada and the US include:<br />

Circle Wellness Granville Island,<br />

Vancouver: Circle Wellness, already a<br />

popular Vancouver spa, opened a second<br />

location in <strong>2023</strong>. The private self-guided<br />

thermal experience combines ancient<br />

wellness rituals with modern technology for<br />

an immersive healing experience. The Circle<br />

is a circuit that includes a shower, soak,<br />

Welpod (an immersive and multi-sensory<br />

room designed to promote physical and<br />

emotional well-being), cold plunge, and bed<br />

of stones.<br />

SKA City Thermal <strong>Spa</strong>, Calgary: SKA,<br />

“Calgary’s only urban thermal spa,” opened<br />

Mysa Nordic <strong>Spa</strong>, St. Peters Bay: Mysa is<br />

Prince Edward Island’s first and only Nordic<br />

<strong>Spa</strong> & Resort, located on St. Peter’s Bay and<br />

featuring 17 water-view accommodations,<br />

top tier food and beverage services, and a<br />

state-of-the-art thermal spa. Mysa features<br />

an 85-person thermal bath, Aufguss<br />

ceremonies, and a wide range of spa and<br />

relaxation services including essential oil<br />

steam rooms, cold water plunges, a Finnish<br />

sauna, meditation sessions, and massages.<br />

With its compelling blend of health and<br />

wellness benefits and the appeal of<br />

community experience, thermal bathing’s<br />

resurgence in popularity will likely grow in<br />

the years to come.<br />

15 | <strong>Spa</strong> <strong>Executive</strong>


2024 <strong>Spa</strong> & Wellness Trends<br />

Time-optimized wellness, micro workouts<br />

& mini meditations<br />

Time-optimized wellness practises, including<br />

micro workouts and mini meditations have been<br />

growing in popularity over the last few years.<br />

Time is fleeting and there’s never enough<br />

of it, which is why time-optimized wellness<br />

practices, including micro workouts and mini<br />

meditations have been growing in popularity<br />

over the last few years.<br />

This trend is still on the rise, driven by<br />

social media (mainly TikTok) and the allure<br />

of workouts and wellness practices that<br />

prioritize efficiency, effectiveness, and worklife<br />

balance.<br />

Micro workouts are mini bursts of activity<br />

that make it easier for busy people to fit in<br />

some exercise from pretty much wherever<br />

they happen to be, whether at home or in the<br />

office. Particularly popular with Gen Z, they<br />

can be performed several times throughout<br />

the day, usually last from one to 10 minutes,<br />

and can include high-intensity interval training<br />

(HIIT) and circuit training routines combining<br />

strength and cardio exercises. Forbes reports<br />

that some time-optimized fitness programs<br />

“incorporate technology, like wearable<br />

fitness trackers or virtual reality workouts, to<br />

optimize workout efficiency.”<br />

They may also be 10 minutes of gentle<br />

pilates, low impact cardio (like dancing),<br />

yoga, stretching, or anything that qualifies<br />

as exercise. A search for micro workouts,<br />

one-minute dances, or one minute fitness<br />

videos on TikTok yields many varied results,<br />

so enthusiasts can mix it up daily.<br />

Fitness Magazine looked into whether<br />

micro workouts actually work or are just<br />

another useless trend, using examples<br />

ranging from “a few reps between meetings,<br />

or power-walking up the stairs at the<br />

office to two-, three- or 10-minute interval<br />

sessions over lunch incorporating 2-3<br />

compound exercises.”<br />

The article states that “a growing body of<br />

research suggests that micro workouts can<br />

certainly deliver benefits.” A study published<br />

in 2022, for example, found that performing<br />

short workouts every day, rather than longer<br />

exercise sessions, was enough to improve<br />

metabolic health.<br />

Another study found that “brief (20-second),<br />

intense stair climbing is a practical, timeefficient<br />

strategy to improve [cardiovascular<br />

fitness] in previously untrained women.”<br />

And according to a third study, cardiovascular<br />

fitness “was similarly increased by a protocol<br />

involving ‘sprint snacks’ spread throughout<br />

the day and a traditional SIT (sprint interval<br />

training) protocol in which bouts were<br />

separated by short recovery periods within a<br />

single training session.”<br />

While these workouts might not get you<br />

ready for the Olympics or burn as many<br />

calories as a lengthier session, they can help.<br />

16<br />

| <strong>Spa</strong> <strong>Executive</strong>


Life is increasingly overwhelming<br />

With life feeling increasingly overwhelming,<br />

inflation on the rise, and burnout impacting<br />

growing numbers of people, fitting in a<br />

little bouts of exercise is important. As we<br />

know, engaging in regular physical activity<br />

can lower the risk of disease, improve brain<br />

health, boost mood, reduce stress, and<br />

enhance your capacity to perform daily<br />

tasks. Even finding ways to incorporate<br />

small amounts of activity into an otherwise<br />

sedentary day can have big benefits. Micro<br />

workouts are an actionable way to do this.<br />

Micro meditations and micro mindfulness<br />

Beyond the workout are micro meditations<br />

and micro mindfulness practices. Many<br />

(most?) people don’t have a half hour to<br />

meditate first thing in the morning because<br />

of families, pets, kids, jobs, general tasks<br />

and general exhaustion. And trying and<br />

failing to do so on a daily basis (setting the<br />

alarm for 5 am and sleeping through it again<br />

and again) can lead to a constant feeling of<br />

failure and cycle of self loathing. But most<br />

people do have 10 minutes to sit or take<br />

a meditative walk, and taking advantage<br />

of those minutes provides the benefits of<br />

mindfulness and can also help provide a<br />

feeling of accomplishment and self worth.<br />

This positive trend has the power to make a<br />

big difference in people’s lives as it catches<br />

on with a wider audience.<br />

17 | <strong>Spa</strong> <strong>Executive</strong>


2024 <strong>Spa</strong> & Wellness Trends<br />

Innovative approaches to wellness<br />

travel experiences<br />

Wellness travel is still growing in popularity as<br />

people seek ways to disconnect from everyday<br />

stressors and prioritize health and wellbeing<br />

during their trips​.<br />

The trend of wellness travel is expected to<br />

continue its upward trajectory into 2024,<br />

driven by the evolving needs and priorities of<br />

consumers. According to multiple sources,<br />

travelers are increasingly seeking ways to<br />

disconnect from everyday stressors, like<br />

economic uncertainty and global turmoil,<br />

and prioritize their health and wellbeing<br />

during their trips​.<br />

94% of affluent travelers are incorporating<br />

wellness and self-care into their trips<br />

GlobalData reports that global inbound<br />

spending in the health and wellness sector<br />

is growing significantly, while Travel Week<br />

states that 94% of affluent travelers are<br />

incorporating wellness and self-care into<br />

their trips.<br />

Hilton’s most recent annual trends report<br />

also shows an upward trajectory. In a recent<br />

interview with <strong>Spa</strong> <strong>Executive</strong>, Amanda<br />

Al-Masri, the company’s Vice President of<br />

Wellness told us, “According to our <strong>2023</strong><br />

Trends Report, half of travelers seek travel<br />

experiences that align with their wellness<br />

goals and priorities. For that reason, we<br />

can be sure that there is significant and<br />

ever-increasing opportunity to win with<br />

customers in a global hospitality wellness<br />

marketplace. Historically, hospitality<br />

wellness was grounded in spa and fitness<br />

experiences, and while we absolutely plan<br />

to build on our existing strengths in these<br />

areas, we see this as table stakes.”<br />

The report states that among the wellness<br />

focused travel trends in 2024 will be quality<br />

sleep, connectivity and personalization, and<br />

culture and experiences<br />

A rise in retreats & wellness programs<br />

catering to the health-focused traveler<br />

Per Me Time Away, some are finding<br />

solace in seeking out off-grid, less crowded<br />

destinations that promote leisure, wellness,<br />

and meaningful experiences, with people<br />

valuing the journey as much as the<br />

destination itself​. And DC Global Talent<br />

states: “We are seeing a rise in retreats,<br />

wellness programs, and hotel amenities<br />

that cater to the continuously healthfocused<br />

traveler.”<br />

Wellness travel in 2024 will encompass a<br />

wide variety of experiences, as hotels and<br />

resorts, as we have seen over recent years,<br />

are increasing their offerings of related<br />

services and amenities including spas,<br />

fitness centers, thermal baths, reiki, yoga,<br />

and meditation sessions. Innovative and<br />

creative programs, ranging from equine<br />

therapy, oceanside cabanas, and cacao<br />

ceremonies to “constellation-inspired<br />

18 | <strong>Spa</strong> <strong>Executive</strong>


programs” are curated to provide relaxation<br />

and rejuvenation.<br />

Innovation, technology, biohacking, and more<br />

<strong>Spa</strong> trends are also evolving to meet the<br />

wellness demands of travelers and many are<br />

showing innovation and creativity. Tammy<br />

Pahel, Vice President of <strong>Spa</strong> & Operations<br />

at Carillon Miami Wellness Resort, recently<br />

listed some of her future spa trend<br />

predictions with Luxury Travel Magazine.<br />

These include combining traditional spa<br />

treatments with modern technology,<br />

focusing on mental wellness, leveraging data<br />

to cater to specific wellness requests, and<br />

emphasizing nutrition. Carillon, for example,<br />

offers touchless treatments like sound<br />

therapies and zero-gravity stress reduction<br />

alongside traditional treatments like facials<br />

and massages.<br />

Meanwhile, the <strong>Spa</strong> at Four Seasons<br />

Toronto began offering biohacking services<br />

when it launched its Wellness & Bio Bar in<br />

spring <strong>2023</strong>, providing guests with curated,<br />

“scientifically proven evidence-based<br />

treatments” including LPG Endermologie,<br />

celluma light therapy, and hypnosis sessions.<br />

Wellness travel in 2024 is poised to offer<br />

sanctuary for travelers and continues to be a<br />

top priority. The sector is likely to see further<br />

expansion, enriching the travel sector with<br />

innovative and transformative experiences.<br />

19 | <strong>Spa</strong> <strong>Executive</strong>


ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT THE<br />

SPA & WELLNESS INDUSTRY & DO<br />

YOU LOVE TECHNOLOGY?<br />

COME WORK FOR US.<br />

Book4Time is the global leader in spa, wellness, and leisure activity management<br />

software for the hospitality market, operating in more than 85 countries.<br />

Book4Time is experiencing rapid growth and hiring experienced professionals in a<br />

number of key roles. We offer:<br />

• 100% employer-paid premium benefits<br />

• Wellness/fitness membership program<br />

• Company match group RRSP program<br />

• 18 days of paid time off plus corporate holidays<br />

• Remote-First work environment (Office location: Markham, ON)<br />

• Free underground parking<br />

• Budgeted professional development<br />

• Wellness Stipend<br />

• Discounts at our customer locations<br />

Browse open positions here<br />

We look forward<br />

to working with you!


SPOTLIGHT<br />

Vivianne Garcia-Tunon<br />

Auberge’s new Global VP of Wellbeing,<br />

Vivianne Garcia-Tunon, talks wellbeing,<br />

wellness travel & more<br />

Auberge’s new Global Vice President of<br />

Wellbeing, Vivianne Garcia-Tunon talks about<br />

her plans for her new role.<br />

Auberge Resorts Collection recently named<br />

Vivianne Garcia-Tunon as the company’s<br />

new Global Vice President of Wellbeing. The<br />

creation of this new role affirms Auberge’s<br />

commitment to offering guests impactful<br />

wellness experiences and building innovative<br />

spas and wellbeing destinations.<br />

Ms. Garcia-Tunon has more than 25 years of<br />

experience creating forward-thinking, holistic<br />

health solutions for the hospitality industry.<br />

As global vice president of wellbeing, she will<br />

develop and deepen the wellness experience<br />

across Auberge Resorts Collection’s portfolio.<br />

She embarked on her career journey at age<br />

16, at a female-only gym chain in San Juan,<br />

Puerto Rico, and says, “The profound joy of<br />

making others feel better filled my soul and<br />

ignited my passion.” After high school, she<br />

relocated to Miami, and pursued a study in<br />

nutrition while simultaneously taking on the<br />

role of a spa receptionist at a nearby hotel.<br />

This decision led to a series of promotions<br />

and a rewarding five-year stint with<br />

Mandarin Oriental.<br />

She then spent 10 years with ESPA<br />

International, the pioneer in luxury spa,<br />

wellness, and fitness operations. Under<br />

the mentorship of Susan Harmsworth, she<br />

honed her skills in areas like spa therapies,<br />

aromatherapy, wellness operations, design,<br />

marketing, and public relations. She says,<br />

“This invaluable experience allowed me to<br />

spearhead the successful opening of over<br />

30 award-winning spas and wellness centers<br />

in partnership with renowned brands such<br />

as The Peninsula, One&Only, Four Seasons,<br />

and Ritz Carlton Reserve.”<br />

At the same time, she returned to school<br />

to become a licensed massage therapist,<br />

skincare specialist, and energy medicine<br />

practitioner, later embarking on a spa<br />

consultancy venture in 2013 after a decade<br />

with ESPA.<br />

Ms. Garcia-Tunon says, “Over the past<br />

decade, my journey has taken me to<br />

remarkable destinations, where I’ve<br />

contributed to projects for esteemed<br />

clients like Faena, Four Seasons, and even<br />

the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In 2018,<br />

I had a serendipitous encounter with<br />

the founders of THE WELL, leading to a<br />

ground-braking collaboration on a New<br />

York-based wellness start-up grounded in<br />

ancient wisdom and modern medicine. This<br />

21 | <strong>Spa</strong> <strong>Executive</strong>


partnership ultimately culminated in my<br />

formal appointment as Senior Vice President<br />

of Operations and Development, steering<br />

THE WELL’s expansion into the world of<br />

hospitality with Auberge Resorts Collection.”<br />

but my creativity is born from a deep<br />

understanding of the human body, the<br />

physical and subtle.<br />

What are your plans in this role?<br />

As we venture into 2024, my vision is<br />

one of abundant education and<br />

meticulously curated, personalized<br />

experiences that revolve around<br />

individualized wellness journeys.<br />

As of <strong>2023</strong>, she has been a part of fortysix<br />

worldwide spa and wellness openings,<br />

and after six fulfilling years with The Well,<br />

she seized the opportunity to join Auberge<br />

Resorts Collection as their first Global<br />

Vice President of Wellbeing. With 20 spas<br />

currently in the brand’s portfolio and nine<br />

in the pipeline, Garcia-Tunon arrives at a<br />

key moment to lead the developments and<br />

oversee all pre-opening elements including<br />

conception, design and operations.<br />

We asked Vivianne Garcia-Tunon about<br />

her new role, her plans for the Auberge<br />

wellbeing brand, and what makes the best<br />

wellness experiences.<br />

Can you please talk about your new/current<br />

role and what it entails?<br />

In my new role as Global Vice President<br />

of Wellbeing, I will elevate Auberge’s<br />

positioning as a leading brand in the<br />

wellbeing space. I will conceptualize,<br />

develop, and oversee the wellbeing strategy<br />

at each property while maintaining its<br />

unique personality and staying connected<br />

to the brand’s overall spa and wellness<br />

philosophy and, in parallel, working closely<br />

with the design, creative, and operations<br />

teams to create truly unique and curated<br />

experiences that are locally inspired and<br />

connect guests to the soul of the place.<br />

At Auberge, I am looking forward to<br />

exploring the concepts of healthspan,<br />

longevity, salutogenic design, and human<br />

rewilding – in the luxury hospitality space.<br />

I plan and strategize as an operator,<br />

As the Global Vice President of Wellbeing,<br />

my vision is to craft pioneering, immersive<br />

initiatives that enhance and enrich the<br />

wellness journey throughout Auberge<br />

Resorts Collection’s diverse portfolio. I<br />

am committed to preserving the unique<br />

character and individuality of each property<br />

while seamlessly aligning them with our<br />

brand’s overarching philosophy. This entails<br />

providing abundant opportunities for<br />

guests to unwind, introspect, and restore<br />

their well-being.<br />

What are you most excited about?<br />

I am particularly thrilled about reshaping<br />

the very concept of design-driven<br />

well-being within our global portfolio.<br />

As a dedicated practitioner, I eagerly<br />

anticipate the opportunity to pioneer<br />

and champion extraordinary therapeutic<br />

experiences that have yet to be offered in<br />

a hospitality context. Moreover, I am eager<br />

to connect with the passionate leaders<br />

and practitioners within our collection.<br />

For me, true wellness is embodied in<br />

the collaborative spirit that transcends<br />

geographical boundaries and brings teams<br />

from around the world together.<br />

What are the industry trends or developments<br />

you are excited about?<br />

I eagerly anticipate the prospect of<br />

fostering sustainable growth within our<br />

industry, characterized by a deliberate shift<br />

away from cookie-cutter spa concepts that<br />

often lead to confusion and the dilution of<br />

distinct therapies.<br />

I envision wellness as a dynamic force,<br />

extending its reach into every facet of our<br />

lives—from the way we come together in<br />

communities to our work environments,<br />

our physical activities, and the daily<br />

priorities we set.<br />

Can you please talk about what makes the<br />

best wellness experience in a hotel or resort?<br />

The ultimate wellness experience is the<br />

one that takes guests by delightful surprise!<br />

My expertise and fervor revolve around<br />

crafting extraordinary moments infused<br />

with surprise, joy, and creativity. This could<br />

mean commencing a treatment within<br />

an oversized sound bowl nestled amidst<br />

the Costa Rican mountains, experiencing<br />

myofascial release guided by skilled<br />

therapists in the heart of Napa Valley,<br />

immersing in mindful moments amidst the<br />

Sea of Cortez, or handpicking your own<br />

herbs for a rejuvenating body treatment in<br />

the Northeast. It’s in the realm of the curious<br />

and unexpected that true magic happens!<br />

Does Auberge have a wellness philosophy?<br />

Auberge is renowned globally for being<br />

a best in class operator and curator of<br />

destination wellness. We create world<br />

renowned luxury spas and wellbeing<br />

experiences that attract an audience of highend<br />

well-being enthusiasts from around<br />

the globe. From destination wellness<br />

centers and luxury day spas to immersive<br />

retreat experiences, Auberge Resorts<br />

brings together the best practitioner talent,<br />

educational resources, visionary designers,<br />

22 | <strong>Spa</strong> <strong>Executive</strong>


and strategic partners to introduce unique<br />

and highly relevant wellbeing concepts that<br />

stand apart from the rest.<br />

What is the biggest challenge facing the<br />

hospitality/wellness industry right now?<br />

I am truly delighted to join the portfolio at<br />

such an exhilarating juncture. With five new<br />

spas currently in the brand’s pipeline, my<br />

arrival marks a pivotal moment to guide<br />

these developments and oversee all preopening<br />

aspects, encompassing conception,<br />

design, and operations. On a deeply<br />

personal note, it’s hard to fathom that<br />

sometime next year, I will commemorate the<br />

opening of my 50th wellness project! That is<br />

very exciting!<br />

The biggest challenge our industry faces<br />

today is the lack of talent and the decrease<br />

in massage therapy professionals in the<br />

industry. On average, massage license<br />

applications are down 45% post COVID in<br />

the United States and even though we don’t<br />

have hard data for the rest of the world, we<br />

see the lack of talent at a global level.<br />

Can you please talk about some ideas for<br />

solving that crisis?<br />

My mission is to advocate for nationwide<br />

reforms aimed at achieving universal<br />

recognition of national massage therapy<br />

certification across all states. Currently, the<br />

process of transferring a massage therapy<br />

license between states presents significant<br />

challenges. Additionally, we are committed<br />

to forging strong partnerships with massage<br />

schools to ensure a robust pipeline of<br />

graduates who fully grasp the rewards and<br />

enriching potential of a career in massage<br />

therapy. On a global scale, we aspire to<br />

offer accessible opportunities for massage<br />

therapy education and potential career<br />

progression, particularly in the numerous<br />

leadership roles available within the field of<br />

wellness hospitality.<br />

What at Auberge specifically are you<br />

excited about?<br />

23 | <strong>Spa</strong> <strong>Executive</strong>


Featured property:<br />

Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort &<br />

Mineral Springs<br />

Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral<br />

Springs offers mud baths, spa treatments,<br />

healing mineral pool soaks, and the best of<br />

Calistoga right outside its doors.<br />

Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral<br />

Springs is an iconic resort and spa destination<br />

nestled in the Napa Valley. Founded in 1952<br />

by wellness experts John and Edy Wilkinson,<br />

over seven decades the Calistoga resort has<br />

become a globally recognized retreat, offering<br />

mud baths, spa treatments, healing mineral<br />

pool soaks, and the best of Calistoga right<br />

outside its doors.<br />

The resort recently underwent a<br />

multimillion-dollar overhaul with SB<br />

Architects and EDG Design to create a<br />

wellness destination that brings the past<br />

into the present, modernizing while retaining<br />

historic authenticity. The result is a new<br />

mid-century- inspired space featuring 50<br />

completely renovated guest rooms, a brandnew<br />

restaurant with vast outdoor seating, a<br />

completely reimagined spa, and the same<br />

famous mud bath treatments.<br />

Eclectic style & accessible downtown location<br />

Dr. Wilkinson’s progressive roots, accessible<br />

downtown location, and eclectic style<br />

attract a diverse tribe of enthusiasts to this<br />

wellness destination.<br />

A mix of guest room types include a<br />

standalone, one-bedroom bungalow; three<br />

<strong>Spa</strong> Cottages; a Peloton room for fitnessminded<br />

travelers; and a restored, five-room,<br />

1924-vintage Victorian bunkhouse that sleeps<br />

15. These rooms honor the original 1950’s<br />

style, with white oak floors and a warm color<br />

palette. Accents include works by local artists<br />

and one-of-a-kind handmade pottery pieces<br />

by local ceramics studio NBC Pottery.<br />

Several outdoor spaces include a<br />

“Backyard” lawn, courtyard, and pool area<br />

embracing the gorgeous surroundings.<br />

The pool area features two spring-fed<br />

geothermal mineral pools and a spa pool<br />

kept at 105 degrees Fahrenheit. At the pool<br />

area, guests can relax on padded lounge<br />

chairs, day beds, and covered cabana<br />

areas. A unique vending machine offers pie,<br />

elevated snacks, healthy drinks, and sweets,<br />

as well as practical items, like earphones, a<br />

wine key, and phone cords.<br />

<strong>Spa</strong> & Wellness at Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard<br />

Resort & Mineral Springs<br />

The spa at Dr. Wilkinson’s remains the main<br />

attraction, offering the same mineral-rich<br />

24 | <strong>Spa</strong> <strong>Executive</strong>


mud bath treatments and secret-formula<br />

mud mixture of organic, local Calistoga<br />

volcanic ash perfected by Doc Wilkinson<br />

more than 70 years ago. The reimagined spa<br />

experience, designed by TLEE <strong>Spa</strong>s, uses<br />

natural finishes, terrazzo stone floors, cedar<br />

wood, and recycled porcelain tiles to create a<br />

relaxing and rejuvenating environment.<br />

“The unique mineral waters have been<br />

evaluated by the Balneology Association of<br />

North America (BANA), the leading authority<br />

of therapeutic bathing and medicinal<br />

springs, and are classified as distinctive,<br />

neutralizing, balancing waters with the ability<br />

to strengthen skin, balance the peripheral<br />

nervous system, reset stressed nervous<br />

systems, hydrate, and detoxify.”<br />

The spa features four massage rooms,<br />

a brand-new spa garden for outdoor<br />

treatments, four indoor mud baths, seven<br />

indoor and two outdoor mineral baths, a cold<br />

deluge shower, and a dedicated geothermal<br />

mineral pool filled with varied temperature<br />

water sourced from Calistoga’s natural<br />

healing springs.<br />

Treatment highlights include:<br />

THE WORKS<br />

“Dr. Wilkinson’s famed mud bath treatment,<br />

facial mask, aromatic mineral whirlpool<br />

bath, steam room, blanket wrap, and<br />

30-minute massage”<br />

THE BODY BREW<br />

“Mineral whirlpool bath treatment with fresh<br />

hops, dry ale yeast, malt, barley, and a local<br />

beer on the side; and a 30-minute sound<br />

therapy treatment designed to achieve a<br />

balance of relaxation and revitalization.”<br />

25 | <strong>Spa</strong> <strong>Executive</strong>


FOR LEADERS IN THE BUSINESS OF WELLNESS<br />

ADVERTISE WITH US<br />

CONTACT SAL CAPIZZI FOR MORE INFORMATION<br />

SCAPIZZI@SPAEXECUTIVE.COM<br />

scapizzi@book4time.com www.spaexecutive.com

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