What's new in the Spa world and what's up and coming? We take a brief look at current research and trends in an Industry study and summary of the Spa market place, carried out by ISPA U.S.

Spas are still defined as places devoted to enhancing overall well-being through a variety of professional services that encourage the renewal of mind, body and spirit.
 
2007 ISPA Spa Industry Study

Spa Locations

• As of July 2007, there were 14,615 spas U.S
• In August 2006, there were 13,757 spas
• In April 2004, there were 10,128 spas
• Growth from August 2006 to July 2007 was 6%.
• Additionally, there were 9,865 spas in the U.S. at the end of 2003, which represents a total growth in spa locations of 48% from 2003 to present
• Day spas remain the most prevalent spa type.

Spa Visits

• 1 in 4 Americans have been to a spa
• There are more than 32 million active spa-goers
• In 2006, there were 110 million spa visits
• In 2005, there were 131 million spa visits
• In 2003, there were 109 million spa visits
• -16% growth from 2005 to 2006

ISPA Chairman Root noted the new statistics indicate that the industry could now be classified as mature. "This year's industry figures show something that ISPA has been predicting – spa sector growth can no longer be described as exponential or exploding. Instead, the industry is expanding at a healthy, steady pace.

Just eight years ago, there were an estimated 4,100 spas in the United States. The previous exponential growth allowed a spot for anyone who wanted to add ‘spa' to their sign. Today's consumers are savvy about the spa experience and they won't accept anything that is not a true spa experience."

Revenues

• In 2006, $9.4 billion of revenue was generated by the U.S. spa industry
• In 2005, $9.7 billion of revenue was generated by the U.S. spa industry
• In 2003, $7.0 billion of revenue was generated by the U.S. spa industry 
• Annual growth from 2005 to 2006 was -3.4%, however, findings point to stability in spa industry revenue as the change in revenue from 2005 to 2006 falls well within the margin of error.

Employment
2007  In July 2007, there were 234,600 total employees. The total was comprised of 118,100 full-time employees, 73,600 part-time employees and 42,900 contract employees.

The total number of employees is down 12 percent from last August to July (full-time down 5 percent, part-time down 27 percent, contract up 3 percent).

Root delved deeper into these figures: "As staffing remains a huge challenge for the industry, the labor figures are the first sign in this developing story. We'll have a clearer picture in November when the complete study is released as it will include figures on how many unstaffed positions spas have open for management and technical staff as well as which positions are the most difficult to fill."

Square Footage

• U.S. spas occupy more than 56 million feet, up 12 percent from a year ago (49 million).

The Interactive Spa Marketplace

Trends included:

• Embracing Nature – Seven of the spas offered treatments using ingredients that are local to their properties. From Maine to California, the array of ingredients read like a gardener's list including Moroccan mint, pomegranate, lavender, geranium, dandelion and cedar. These items were incorporated into scrubs, used in massages and added to hand and foot treatments.
• A Taste of Spa Cuisine – We all love to eat and the Media Event sponsors taught the media how to do it better! Spritzers, elixirs and small bites abounded as the sponsors demonstrated that spa cuisine is healthy and tasty. At least three spas offered food and drink demonstrations and many more sponsors gave away treats as gifts.
• Customization and Niche Offerings – As spas are mainstream, customized offerings for the varying types of spa-goers were plentiful. With men accounting for 31 percent of spa-goers in the United States, new ideas for adventure offerings at spas were popular with the media. Athletes were not left out, as one spa demonstrated the benefits of a hand treatment for those who want to improve their golf game. And insomniacs were put to rest as journalists were invited to learn the tricks for a good night's rest. As sleep deprivation is a common complaint in today's busy world, tips and tactics for relaxing and taking a time out were well received.

Statistics were Sourced from ISPA
ISPA is recognized worldwide as the leading professional organization and voice of the spa industry. Founded in 1991, ISPA has more than 3,000 members in 75 counties. ISPA advances the spa industry by providing invaluable educational and networking opportunities, promoting the value of the spa experience and speaking as the authoritative voice to foster professionalism and growth. More details on ISPA are available on www.experienceispa.com