Twenty years ago, the U.S. spa industry was just beginning to blossom. There were approximately 3,000 spa locations then, compared to nearly 44,000-plus locations today. Day spas were popping up on every corner, driven largely by the full-service salon. Hotel and resort spas were few and far between, and destination spas such as the Golden Door and Canyon Ranch were luxurious getaways for the lucky few. Spas were a luxury, only reserved for the wealthy or affluent adult. Now, I have seen my youngest spa patron at the ripe age of 4 years old. READ MORE

How would you like your guests to be positively addicted to staying at your hotel? That's what can happen if you surround them with the fragrance of pure, natural essential oils which affect the fastest, most direct sense into the brain - the sense of smell. Up-market retailers have known this forever. When I was publicity and feature events director of Bloomingdales, I always knew what they were promoting by the fragrance that permeated the main floor all the way down to the subway entrance. Sandalwood would be the Indian promotion, Chanel perfumes, unmistakably Paris. Aromatherapy was, and I guess still is, Bloomie's secret weapon. It can easily be yours. READ MORE

Global Wellness Day (GWD) is an international, noncommercial initiative aimed at improving well-being across the world. Today, there are 3,000 locations in 100 countries organizing GWD celebrations worldwide. This article is part 2 of a 2-part series. Part-1 featured Belgin Aksoy, Founder of GWD. As a new Ambassador to Global Wellness Day, I was motivated to write a series about GWD for several reasons. 1) To create awareness and excitement about wellness as a lifestyle and as a business strategy 2) To promote wellness to the hotel industry 3) To share insights from hospitality professionals that have direct involvement with Global Wellness Day in order to encourage greater participation 4) To provide several first-hand accounts about GWD that could be helpful in spurring support from other sectors. READ MORE

In an era of where the words personal, experiential, adventure, extreme and destination are often heard - at least among those of us in the business of hotels - it is clear consumers are seeking uniqueness in their travels, whether they are for business or pleasure. Hoteliers are wisely taking this to heart and responding to these demands. One way owners and operators are strategically meeting guests' needs is by tapping into and elevating the experience of a once luxury-only amenity: the spa. The focus makes logical sense. READ MORE

A recent study revealed that ads bombarding the online community are offensive and editorial provides a more relaxing environment to absorb news. Gen X to Baby Boomers, according to the research, strongly objects to being hit constantly by brands online and in social media, to which they are constantly connected. The take away from this comprehensive investigation was that "Advertising on such sites is causing them to either cut back their use of such platforms, or even stop using them altogether," according to the report. Shocking and dismaying news indeed for those of us in marketing. The results of this study are fascinating and revealing. READ MORE

French Thermal Spas can inspire modern wellness and spa industries worldwide. They are turning around an industry that was in terminal decline. Their vision is of "a new thermalism" that will develop thermal solutions to solve the public health problems of today. The mega health problems they target include ageing-related conditions, addictions, allergies, stress, obesity related, and effective, but non-medicated, solutions for common pains. The new thermalism expands its appeal by diversifying from the rigidly therapeutic offer into the more flexible “thermoludic” (thermal and leisure). A major research project is generating the evidence to convince consumers and insurers. READ MORE

While the Classic Swedish Massage remains the most requested spa treatment, today's spa-savvy business and leisure guests, regardless of geographic location, are expecting a deeper and more enhanced experience, like those often found in destination spas. Many spas are accomplishing this through the use of specialized equipment, spaces, and wellness programs. Furthermore, while it may seem contradictory to traditional spa philosophies that promote a tranquil environment encouraging guests to unplug, these modern-day urban facilities, whether it is a city club, hotel or day spa, are incorporating more “high tech” processes, features and treatments to expand and customize their offerings. READ MORE

In fall 2015, Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine - a 900-year-old abbey and winery that was converted in 2012 into one of Spain's most exclusive hotels - opened a stunning, state-of-the-art spa. Santuario LeDomaine Wellness & Spa was the final component to complete this extraordinary, historic property. It was also more than that: it reinforced and expanded the persona of a winery hotel, set among the vineyards, with a signature vinotherapy concept implemented by one-of-a-kind 'Spa Sommeliers.' The new spa embodies and furthers the hotel's theme, spirit and ethos - making it more relevant and deeply connected to the property, as well as helping build and drive usage. READ MORE

Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort is the Sofitel brand's first presence in Bali, often dubbed the ‘Island of the Gods'. The Resort has firmly established itself as a wellbeing destination, putting in much emphasis on one of the Sofitel brand's ‘key essences' of hospitality, namely Wellness. It does so through the Sofitel luxury marque's So SPA, an ultramodern spa facility onsite at the resort, which is complemented in the ‘fitness' aspect by the So FIT full-fledged gym and fitness facility. An added bonus, and unique to this Sofitel resort, is Vietura Aesthetic, a third-party operated skin rejuvenation clinic. READ MORE

A good corporate culture of safety and risk management starts at the top and spreads to all staff until it is woven into the fabric of the hotel's daily activities. An effective safety program holds everyone from executives to housekeeping staff accountable for implementation and execution of clearly defined safety procedures. Hotel staff need to be proactively thinking and talking about safety - immediately wiping up spills, reporting pot holes in the parking lot and cutting off bar guests who've had one too many, among other things. By creating and implementing a top-notch safety program and holding employees accountable to it, hotels can significantly reduce their risk exposure and save millions of dollars in avoidable claims or potential reputational damage. READ MORE

Millennials have become the fastest growing consumer segment in the hospitality industry. Therefore, changes in quality and experiences provided in hotels across the nation are essential in ensuring greater competitiveness and overall success. Millennials, who are heavily reliant on technology and seek non-traditional features in services provided, are looking for a different approach to hospitality; with immersive lifestyle experiences their main priority, resulting in a rising demand for special visual imagery and more comprehensive sensual engagement. Accordingly, it is necessary for the hospitality industry to adjust to this new trend in consumer preferences, demanding that hotels put substantial effort into creating a new environment, appealing to consumers' five senses. READ MORE

As hospitality industry executives, being an effective leader is essential for running our companies successfully and promoting a positive work environment for higher productivity and lower attrition rates among our employees. We learn about, and encounter, effective leadership skills from a variety of avenues such as books/articles, first hand experience, education classes, peer discussions, etc. What we don't hear as much about is how important strong management skills are to the organization. For any business to really thrive, consideration of both skill sets is necessary, especially in hospitality. READ MORE

The millennial generation is the most socially aware and feedback-driven yet. To attract and engage this cohort, hoteliers must rethink their success metrics, tying them to a higher level of social responsibility. They must be willing to share more information, more freely, with their workers than ever before. And, they must provide frequent feedback, inviting employees and guests to do the same. For managers who are accustomed to holding information close to the vest, this will require nothing less than a mindset change. READ MORE

In under a decade 50% of all travelers will be between the ages of 44 and 28. Travel for meetings, conferences, and knowledge sharing will undoubtedly play a role. Millennials will also be front and center in planning and hosting business gatherings, and Gen X and Boomers will also continue to be strongly in the mix. This generational mash-up, and the intersecting meteoric rise in technology, poses new and interesting challenges and opportunities for marketing hotels globally. Hotels need to create forward looking, fresh ways to engage with planners -- especially online -- tipping tradition on its head and straddling generations more creatively. READ MORE

Today's millennial traveler is dominating the way that hospitality marketing professionals showcase their products to the consumer. Many of the changes and innovations being seen in the hospitality industry today feature a distinct focus on the millennial. And it's no wonder - millennials comprise a vast segment of the traveling public and it's expected that they will continue to use their discretionary income on travel experiences in the coming years. Best Western Hotels & Resorts is not unlike others in this regard, and we have implemented several strategies to ensure we are evaluating the evolving needs of millennials. READ MORE