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New York Spa Media Event: ISPA Presents their Latest Research
New York Spa Media Event: ISPA Presents their Latest Research - Caution AdvisedBy Susie Ellis
The International Spa Association (ISPA) presented some of their new research data during their annual New York press event last week. Highlights were included from their soon-to-be-released 2007 Spa Industry Study as well as some data from their inaugural research on Global Spa Consumers.
As always, I am grateful for the research that ISPA does. I believe that ISPA has made a significant contribution in many ways to the growth of the spa industry over the years. Their annual conference has always been a “must attend” for many in the industry and their early research numbers gave some shape to an industry that was still very young. Spa Finder is happy to be an ISPA member.
That being said, I do have some concerns with the recent spa industry data they presented last week, in particular, their conclusion that US spa revenues showed a negative growth rate of -3.4% from 2005 to 2006 (or a flattening if the margin of error is factored in). I mention this because as an industry, I feel we need to be concerned about a negative growth rate report from a resource that says they are the voice of the spa industry. The ripple affect through the consumer, investment, and spa communities could be quite negative for all of us.
My guess is that the numbers are more of a reflection of what is happening in the day spa segment and not so much about the rest of the robust industry. I look forward to the full report in November.
posted by Susie at Saturday, August 18, 2007
3 Comments:
Given that US tourist revenue was down around US$60 million last year, I am not surprised that spa revenues are down, too.
Fewer foreign tourists are visiting the US these days, thanks to the reception many of us are getting at immigration.
How much nicer it is to go to Asia or other parts of the world where hospitality still reigns and spas, frankly, are way ahead of their US counterparts.
Perhaps, post election, things may change, but I am not holding my breath!
There is also research saying that schools are having less massage therapists joining the ranks. The problem is, as much as people enjoy all the fabulous amenities, unless the spa is supported by fabulous therapists (being paid what they're worth)this will probably continue to be a concern.
We get 'em in once with the advertising, but they feel rushed (in a calm manner)and overcharged for the "luxury" that they don't look at the spa as becoming a part of their wellness/stress reduction on a monthly basis.
Since I am the Director of Research for Spa Finder, Susie asked me to find some of the tourism numbers and respond to your comment so we can keep the conversation going.
What I have on file is a very strong positive stat for 2006 tourism revenues from the US department of commerce:
U.S. TRAVEL AND TOURISM EXPORTS REBOUND FROM 9/11 DECLINE
International Visitors Spent More in 2006 Than Ever Before
More details are available on the following link:
http://tinet.ita.doc.gov/tinews/archive/tinews2007/20070216.html
Perhaps your statistic of $60 million decrease in tourism refers to internal/domestic tourism? I have not been able to locate it, and maybe you'd like to share so I can add to my research library.
But don't you think even that decrease of $60 million seems rather small when compared to the $4 billion increase in the international travel and tourism?
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