TOP SPA TRENDS FOR 2011

THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE SPA
Spa consumers are smart, conscientious, and monetarily mindful. In this type of financial climate, they have to be. Economic woes shook us to the core, one way or the other, leaving an unforgettable mark straight down the middle of every city and town across the nation.

Spending trends changed and consumers began using more caution than ever. Consumers want to make informed decisions and invest their money in evidence-based spa treatments and skin care purchases. They want assurances that the product, or service, will address their needs and offer guaranteed results. A guarantee? Well, as hard as that is to do, consumers are now embracing the scientific and medical research in order to qualify their purchases with solid, indisputable answers before they lay down their weary bodies and reap the beautiful benefits of a day at the spa. In this type of business climate, every body wins.

TOP SPA TRENDS FOR 2011

SALT ROOMS AND SALT CAVES
The ancient Greeks discovered that spending time in salt mines and salt caves produced a positive effect on the respiratory system. They found that inhaled saline provided bactericide and anti inflammatory properties for a myriad of other ailments. In fact, the medical and scientific communities have confirmed that Halotherapy has the ability to calm asthma, hypertension, digestive, cardiovascular and nervous system issues, not to mention the interesting effect it has on skin conditions such as acne and psoriasis.

In order to reproduce this type of environment, researchers and scientists have developed a unique method of replicating a microclimate where the air is saturated with dry salt particles. The hospital grade medical equipment controls the temperature, humidity, size and the concentrations of dry salt particles in the air. Inside the salt cave, clients can expect to experience 45 minutes lounging in a beach chair while being treated to mineral soaked air, light therapy and calming music to increase the relaxation benefits. Many participants have reported that since they began visiting a salt treatment room they have not been sick with any viral diseases. Halotherapy is definitely something to consider.

Top Spa Trends for 2011

ASIAN INFLUENCES - HERE AND THERE
SpaFinder states that, "Asia has had a profound impact on the spa industry: Yoga, Thai massage, Ayurvedic medicine and acupuncture are staples on many spa menus, and the “Zen” nature of Asian design can be seen in spas worldwide. But historically, it’s been a tale of the mass exportation of Asian spa influences. Now a powerful new story is unfolding: The explosive growth of hotel/spa development within Asia (a market of 4.1 billion people), especially within the two fastest-growing world economies, China and India. These markets and others are developing at a breakneck pace, unleashing extraordinary new class mobility and massive opportunities for hotel/spa development. Stay tuned as the new “Spa Road” runs from China to India and beyond, and hotel/spa developers look to please both tourists seeking authentic ambiance and indigenous treatments and local spa-goers looking for Western-style spa-going."

Top Spa Trends for 2011

BABY BOOMERS STILL RULE
According to SpaFinder, baby boomers continue to be the "fastest-growing demographic in the world . . . in the US alone, 39 million consumers account for nearly $2 trillion in annual spending." With those numbers in mind, spas are catering to the needs of the boomers by offering exercise physiologists, chiropractors, orthopedic professionals and naturopaths to pay attention to keeping fit and dealing with issues of joint pain and rejuvenation.

Who said the boomers are an aging generation? Quite the contrary. The boomers will spend whatever they need to stay young spiritually, mentally, and physically . . . and the spas know it.