The spa industry in booming and the news just keeps getting better and better. At the most recent International SPA Association (ISPA) media event held in NYC this past week, the five key spa industry financial indicators were released, showing record growth in overall revenue, number of spa visits, number of spa locations, revenue per visit and total employees. More than 500 new spas opened for business in the United States in 2017 alone.

The annual study (conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers) shows that the industry is healthier than ever. “The data continues to show a healthy and robust spa industry resulting in a wealth of reputable career opportunities for those looking to find a stable work environment,” said ISPA President Lynne McNees.  “This study celebrates eight consecutive years of revenue growth with total spa industry revenue exceeding $17 billion in 2017.”

According the release, “Total revenue surpassed the $17 billion mark in 2017, increasing from $16.8 billion at year’s end in 2016, to $17.5 billion at year’s end in 2017 (4.3 percent increase). The number of spa visits increased from 184 billion in 2016 to 187 billion in 2017 (1.6 percent increase). The number of spa locations also increased from 21,260 in 2016 to 21,770 in 2017. Revenue per visit increased from $91.3 in 2016 to $93.7 in 2017 (2.7 percent increase). Lastly, the total number of employees increased from 365,200 in 2017 to 372,100 in 2018 (1.9 percent increase).” 

The event was held at the breathtaking Gotham Hall in midtown Manhattan. The diverse group of spa industry brands offered treatments, products and immersion experiences to the media included:

• Aspira the Spa highlighted their use of herbs, plants and flowers into signature spa services and nutrient-rich cuisine, much of which is grown in their organic garden.

• Bamford Haybarn Spa at 1 Hotel South Beach offered a relaxing hand treatment where hands were lightly massaged with a warm blend of pure sea salt and brown sugar, suspended in rich oils and moisturizing body butters.

• Chuan Spa at the Langham, Chicago offered Intelligent Skin Scanning and an intensive Jade Stone Eye Rescue Treatment designed to diminish fine lines and wrinkles up to 35 percent.

• Elements Massage showcased their AromaRitual, which included the application of essences to the hands, head and feet with signature essential oils.

• Foreo provided UFO mask treatments combining technology and advanced Korean formulas to refresh and revive skin in only 90 seconds.

• Four Seasons Resorts Lanai offered their Lanai Tai Signature Scrub incorporating fresh active pineapple to promote Hawaiian healing and a Sports Massage that promotes living and playing well.

• Glen Ivy Hot Springs offered a Tranquility Pro Sleep Ritual to rebalance the senses using sensorial synergy of delicate textures, aroma-therapeutic scents, a tailored Tranquility sound and the power of human touch.

• Hilton highlighted their revolutionary Five Feet to Fitness rooms that allow guests to pursue fitness and wellbeing within their room with over 11 different fitness and accessory options available to use.

• Hippocrates Health Institute showcased a Vibrational Sound Healing treatment using the didgeridoo, an ancient Aboriginal instrument, offering a broad range of harmonics to help lift an individual’s vibration back into alignment and balance.

• Kohler Waters Spaoffered a sample of their new Thermal Hydro Body treatment, wrapping guests’ hands in self-heating mud and finishing with a remineralizing moisturizer.

• Sandals Resorts Internationaloffered an Insta Sculpt and Glow Mini Treatment which included a gentle mini peel and vitamin C infusion followed by chilled jadestone to help firm and brighten skin and reverse the signs of aging.

• Technogymshowcased SKILLROW, which is the first fully-connected indoor rowing equipment that trains both cardio and power at an athlete level.

• The Edgewater Spaoffered an Anti-Aging Hand Treatment by Circadia. This luxury treatment featured a Caviar Lime and Passionfruit Enzyme Mask delivering the ultimate exfoliation, rejuvenation and hydration experience.

• The HydraFacial Companyhighlighted their Signature HydraFacial which removes dead skin cells and extracts impurities while simultaneously bathing the new skin with cleansing, hydrating and moisturizing serums.

• YO1 Luxury Nature Cureoffered an Ayurvedic Foot Massage, bringing relief to tired feet using a Vata-balancing Ayurvedic oil that targets the 24 vital energy points in your feet.

A highlight for MODERN was a visit with Lynelle Lynch of Beauty Changes Lives who was there offering Borbolta eyelash extensions while sharing insights about the Get Your Dream Job campaign which promotes career paths within the beauty, salon and spa industries. Lynch chats about the program in this short video: