Spa and Wellness Trends in Hotels

Never before has health and wellness been taken so seriously by the hospitality industry. The latest trends to emerge from recent research shows us just why we need to look to health and wellness for restoration and improvement in our daily lives. From children who are overwhelmed and anxious to adults who are suffering the effects of the hyper-connected workplace, health and wellness is a priority for many of us. Hotels are offering a variety of unique spa offerings to ensure that their guests feel refreshed and recharged when they return to work.

Why go to so much trouble in a hotel? Here are some astonishing statistics that may convince you to look at pampering your hotel guests in the future: Online Spa Management Courses

Research indicates that health and wellness is expected to grow to a market worth more than $675-billion by 2017. Its travellers are middle-aged, affluent and well-educated. Wellness tourists spend 130% more than the average tourist. Guests are tired of over-indulgences, obesity and limited time off work. They want to come back after their well-deserved holiday break feeling less stressed, more focused and ultimately physically and mentally restored. This is a market you can't ignore and it's growing every year.

What are the wellness trends to look out for in 2016? There are quite a few new trends coming online in 2016. However, we're focusing on 5 that we think will be the most popular:

Surf's Up - that's right, ‘let's go surfing now' is an actual trend that's making waves. Surf classes, paddle boarding and other related water activities are being combined with traditional spa treatments to create surf and fitness retreats. Spa and wellness for kids - children's yoga, toddler massage and family-focused wellness holidays are going to play a role in helping both stressed out children and their equally stressed out parents to relax and unwind together. Combining adrenaline sports with Zen cocktails - apparently after any sort of extreme sporting adventure your brain is uniquely reset when you combine these extreme activities with a Zen-like relaxation period straight afterwards. Adrenalin + Relaxation = balance restored. Cruising can be healthy - not all cruise liners offer the over-indulgences that we sometimes long for. Some cruise liners are offering wellness retreats or floating wellness holidays where yoga, spa treatments, medical beauty treatments and adventure activities are the only indulgences. Workplace wellness - more and more corporate companies are offering wellness activities onsite, making it easier for workers to access health facilities. Staff are being given more time off, access to pampering sessions through beauty rooms, manicures, pedicures, massages and more. Employees are also given access to counsellors, fitness instructors and healthy food options at their canteens.

What can hotels do to attract some of the market without breaking the bank? Hotels who are limited by budget can cater equally well to health and wellness needs. They simply need to find easy to prepare and manageable solutions onsite. Here are some examples: Girl Surfing

Provide a separate health menu with smoothies, fruit-boosters, soups, salads and grilled main course options. Incorporate sugar-free and gluten-free options, as well as healthy snack options in-between meals. Guests who don't want the healthy options can order off the regular menu. If you can't create your own gym on site, why not purchase bicycles and hire them out to guests or create hiking trails nearby where guests can take long walks in the open air. If you're located in a CBD, why not find existing running routes that guests could make use of? Partner with local gyms if you cannot organise your own and offer guests incentives and discounts to make use of these gym facilities. If you are able to create a small gym, just a few exercise pieces will do (treadmills, bicycles, weights). Invest in some yoga mats and if you have no staff to offer yoga classes, mount a TV on the wall with a DVD player and offer yoga DVD's to guests. Offer in-room spa treatments instead of setting up an entire spa. Invest in portable spa beds, candles, spa products and linen. Recruit spa staff from a reputable agency and ensure you have a reliable booking system in place. Our Online Campus spa programmes offer individuals a chance to explore and improve spa offerings at hotels, resorts, game lodges and other hospitality establishments. Feel free to view our course options or alternatively, email us on online@hotelschool.co.za for further information.