The Global Spa and Wellness Summit (GSWS) has added a specific hot springs industry forum to its 8th annual Summit in Morocco. The forum will discuss sustainability and growth opportunities and additionally, SRI International will present revenue and market size data for this important spa and wellness sub-segment.
Major investment in recent years has seen the refurbishment of ancient thermal mineral springs, along with the building of new hot springs destinations around the world. “There are hot springs on every continent and in virtually every country around the world, making this sector one of the largest in the spa industry,” said organiser of the Forum and owner of Peninsula Hot Springs in Australia Charles Davidson.
“The forum looks forward to the release of hot springs specific data from GSWS and SRI,” said Davidson. “This is the kind of research we need to continue to propel investment in our segment.”
The first meeting of the Hot Springs Industry Forum took place during the 2013 GSWS in New Delhi, India and resulted in the formation of the Global Hot Springs Initiative, a task force focused on uniting global spa leaders and stakeholders.
Chaired by Amy McDonald, owner of Under a Tree Spa & Wellness, a consulting company that creates integrative health experiences that focus on optimal health, prevention and sustainability, the taskforce meets monthly to discuss issues directly affecting the industry. “Our goal is to help join the industry together to promote the benefits of hot springs through global marketing and research initiatives,” said McDonald.
Driving this demand is consumer desire for local, indigenous, natural and sustainable experiences, along with hot springs spas’ uniquely affordable stress relieving and social benefits. The fact that most hot spring experiences can be had for the price of an affordable day-rate entry made them particularly viable during the recent economic downturn.
The make-up of the 2014 forum panel members who will be speaking in Morocco reflects the global nature of the industry and will include representatives from Australia, New Zealand, USA, France, Peru, Japan and Morocco. Among the panel of experts is Mohammed Karim Jeannane, director general of Sothermy and the Royal Golf Club of Fez, one of the largest thermal spa centres in Morocco; Erwan Madec, director general and ceo of Vichy Spa International in France; Alonso Burgos Hartley, owner, Colca Lodge in Peru; Steve Chadwick, the Mayor of Rotorua, a New Zealand city that is renowned for its geothermal and spa heritage and Tomonori Maruyama of Mitsui Knowledge Industry, Japan. After the Summit, there will be an organised tour of Moroccan hot springs and hammams. There is a choice of a three-day or five-day tour visiting some of the most culturally-significant and famous hot springs in the country, including Moulay Yacoub, Sidi Harazem, Ain Salama, Ain Allah, Abaynou and Tighmert Oasis.
The Global Spa and Wellness Summit (GSWS) has added a specific hot springs industry forum to its 8th annual Summit in Morocco. The forum will discuss sustainability and growth opportunities and additionally, SRI International will present revenue and market size data for this important spa and wellness sub-segment.
Major investment in recent years has seen the refurbishment of ancient thermal mineral springs, along with the building of new hot springs destinations around the world. “There are hot springs on every continent and in virtually every country around the world, making this sector one of the largest in the spa industry,” said organiser of the Forum and owner of Peninsula Hot Springs in Australia Charles Davidson.
“The forum looks forward to the release of hot springs specific data from GSWS and SRI,” said Davidson. “This is the kind of research we need to continue to propel investment in our segment.”
The first meeting of the Hot Springs Industry Forum took place during the 2013 GSWS in New Delhi, India and resulted in the formation of the Global Hot Springs Initiative, a task force focused on uniting global spa leaders and stakeholders.
Chaired by Amy McDonald, owner of Under a Tree Spa & Wellness, a consulting company that creates integrative health experiences that focus on optimal health, prevention and sustainability, the taskforce meets monthly to discuss issues directly affecting the industry. “Our goal is to help join the industry together to promote the benefits of hot springs through global marketing and research initiatives,” said McDonald.
Driving this demand is consumer desire for local, indigenous, natural and sustainable experiences, along with hot springs spas’ uniquely affordable stress relieving and social benefits. The fact that most hot spring experiences can be had for the price of an affordable day-rate entry made them particularly viable during the recent economic downturn.
The make-up of the 2014 forum panel members who will be speaking in Morocco reflects the global nature of the industry and will include representatives from Australia, New Zealand, USA, France, Peru, Japan and Morocco. Among the panel of experts is Mohammed Karim Jeannane, director general of Sothermy and the Royal Golf Club of Fez, one of the largest thermal spa centres in Morocco; Erwan Madec, director general and ceo of Vichy Spa International in France; Alonso Burgos Hartley, owner, Colca Lodge in Peru; Steve Chadwick, the Mayor of Rotorua, a New Zealand city that is renowned for its geothermal and spa heritage and Tomonori Maruyama of Mitsui Knowledge Industry, Japan. After the Summit, there will be an organised tour of Moroccan hot springs and hammams. There is a choice of a three-day or five-day tour visiting some of the most culturally-significant and famous hot springs in the country, including Moulay Yacoub, Sidi Harazem, Ain Salama, Ain Allah, Abaynou and Tighmert Oasis.
