New York Spa Media Event: ISPA Presents their Latest Research

New York Spa Media Event: ISPA Presents their Latest Research – Caution Advised
By 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.