New York, NY (May 22, 2008) – The global
spa economy is estimated to be over $250 billion, according to a major report
unveiled this week at the 2008 Global
Spa Summit in New York
Prepared by
SRI International on behalf of The Global Spa Summit, the first-ever Global Spa
Economy Report represents the most comprehensive effort yet to quantify the rapidly
expanding global spa industry. More than 220 industry leaders from around the
world attended this year’s summit, which was highlighted by keynote speeches
from hotelier Ian Schrager and Dr. Richard Carmona, 17th Surgeon General of the
United States and Vice Chairman of Canyon Ranch.
The
report’s estimate, which looked at the year 2007, includes $60.3 billion
in core spa industry revenues, such as spa facilities, capital investments, education,
consulting, media, associations, and events, and $194 billion in spa-related hospitality,
tourism, and real estate.
When broader
spa-related industries such as beauty, nutrition, and fitness were factored into
the equation, last year’s global health and wellness market exceeded $1 trillion,
according to the report. The one-year snapshot makes the spa sector one of the
first industries to organize at a global level and analyze its own worldwide impact.
The report also found that 1.2 million workers were employed
in more than 71,600 spas worldwide in 2007. During the same period, capital investment
in spas approached $13 billion, with continued expansion on the horizon.
“The spa industry is growing at a breakneck pace, but
its diversity and scope have always made it difficult to quantify its size and
financial strength, as well as to harness the full power of its collaborative
voice,” said SpaFinder CEO Pete Ellis, who also serves as the chairman of
the board for the Global Spa Summit. “For the first time ever, this report
shows decision-makers from investors to policymakers to the industry’s own
leaders just how big the industry is, and how integral it is to the global economy.”
In a breakdown of spa revenues by nation,
the United States emerges on top, with earnings of more than $12 billion, followed
by Japan ($5.7 billion) and Germany ($3.8 billion). The list continues with France,
Italy, the United Kingdom, and China.
The
report’s findings derive from interviews with over 50 high-level industry
executives; 1,000 responses to a global survey of industry sources; and data collected
from more than 210 countries – ten times more than in previous spa industry
reviews. The study defined spas as establishments that promote wellness through
the provision of therapeutic and other professional services aimed at renewing
body, mind, and spirit.
The study was
conducted by SRI International, a worldwide independent research firm originally
founded as the Stanford Research Institute.
The
Global Spa Economy Report is available for purchase at research@globalspasummit.org.
About Global Spa Summit
Global
Spa Summit is an international organization dedicated to bringing together leaders
and visionaries to shape the future of the global spa and wellness industry. Founded
in 2006, the organization hosted the second-ever Global Spa Summit in New York
City in May 2008, where top industry executives gathered to exchange ideas and
advance industry goals, such as establishing a common language and understanding
across regions and continents and creating uniform performance benchmarks for
spas worldwide. Global Spa Summit was underwritten by Spa Finder, Inc., the world's
leading spa marketing and media company, in collaboration with a team of international
advisors, including principals from Raison d'Etre, Sweden, RMIT University, Australia,
Spa Strategy, Inc., USA, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Hong Kong, Mandara Spa
Asia, Bali, Fairmont Raffles Hotels International Inc., Canada, Bodhi Dharma Group
and, Spatality Inc., Thailand, Cornell University, USA and the Wuttke Group, USA.
This year’s Summit was sponsored by Technogym, Pevonia Botanica, CNL Income
Company, LLC, Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, Mandara Spa, Murad, Raison
d'Etre, Spa Chakra, SpaFinder, Spatality, Steiner Leisure and Sodashi and Talise.
For more information, visit www.globalspasummit.org.
