The global wellness industry is a US $3.4 trillion market, or 3.4 times larger than the worldwide pharmaceutical industry, according to the Global Wellness Institute (GWI) report. Subsequently, the number of spas worldwide has increased from 71,762 in 2007 to 105,591 today. And while Europe and North America dominate this market, the number of spas in the Middle East and North Africa tripled during this period.
GWI’s report shows that MENA is the second fastest growing region in the world for spas and the countries with the largest growth are Morocco, the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
With Expo 2020 on the horizon and the expected influx of 25 million tourists, UAE hoteliers are getting ever more creative in the competition to capture the market.
Considering that wellness tourists spend, on average, 130% more than the average global tourist, quality spa design is a guaranteed way to improve a hotel’s standing in the market.
Commenting on new spa developments in the Middle East, Graeme Banks, design director at Barr+Wray, says that there is a continuous necessity to create that unique experience, not only to attract more guests, but to compete in a saturated spa marketplace.
“We are currently witnessing the inclusion of extensive wet facilities designed in a much more social way. The selective spa guest is now looking for a mix of quiet relaxing spaces with communal facilities for interacting. We see family and kids spas becoming more popular, giving parents the best of both worlds.”
Banks further explains that for successful spa creation, clients should consider three important components to the spa design process: operational design, interior design and engineering/technical design.
“To have one without the other leaves a gap in the process, which often results in issues during design and, most importantly, throughout construction. Many clients do not appreciate that the three elements are essential to creating a facility that not only offers the client a five- star experience, which is now expected by discerning spa-goers, but one that is also aesthetically, operationally, and technically successful and profitable.
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