Spa tourism.
Contents
 1. Definition of tourism and of spa tourism.
 2. Insight into the website of the
International Spa Association.
 3. Definition of the 7 types of spa according
to ISPA.
1. Tourism, a definition.
 Tourism is travel for leisure or business
purposes.
 The World Tourism Organization
defines tourists as people who
 "travel to and stay in places outside their usual
environment
 for more than 24 hours and not more than one
consecutive year
 for leisure, business and other purposes not related to
the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the
place visited."
Is spa tourism part of medical
tourism?
 Spas are defined as destinations people
visit for renewal of body, mind and spirit.
 Medical tourism is the practice of people
traveling across borders for medical
treatment.
Is spa tourism part of medical
tourism?
 The main strength of spas is providing relaxation
and de-stressing, as well as preventative
health.
 They are destinations where people in
fundamentally good health focus on getting
healthier.
 How do you get healthier?
 fitness,
How do you get healthier?
nutrition,
body therapies and beauty treatments,
sleep,
How do you get healthier?
 mind-body modalities, etc.
Criteria to determine whether an
activity is mind-body
 It includes a perception of movement
 There is a focus on breathing and breath
sounds
 Attention is paid to anatomical alignment.
 The activity has a quality of being
« energycentric (chi or prana).
Is spa tourism part of medical
tourism?
 The spa environment is designed to address and
soothe (apaiser) all five senses – that is why you
will often find
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soft music,
beautiful lighting,
relaxing aromas,
subtle flavors and
a healing touch.
 Every element is dedicated to facilitate physical,
emotional and spiritual rejuvenation.
Is spa tourism part of medical
tourism?
 Spa staff usually have expertise in areas like
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massage therapy,
beauty services,
fitness training,
hotel management or spa management,
and some are practioners in yoga, acupuncture or
ayurveda,
 But licensed medical doctors are not
routinely part of the equation.
Wellness and health tourism
2. The International Spa Association:
http://www.experienceispa.com/
 Provide useful information and a job bank.
The US Spa industry
US spa industry
3. There are 7 types of spas
(according to ISPA)
 1. CLUB SPA
 A facility whose
primary purpose is
fitness on a day-use
basis.
Types of spa.
 2. DAY SPA
 A spa offering a variety of
spa services on a day-use
basis.
 Day spas offer many of the
same services and
procedures as cosmetic
spas.
Types of spa.
 3. CRUISE SHIP
SPA
 A spa aboard a
cruise ship.
Types of spa.
 4. DESTINATION
SPA
 A destination spa is
a facility with the
primary purpose of
guiding individual
spa-goers to
develop healthy
habits.
4. Destination spa.
 Historically it is a sevenday stay.
 This lifestyle transformation
can be accomplished by
providing a comprehensive
program that includes
 spa services,
 physical fitness activities,
 wellness education,
 healthful cuisine etc.
Types of spa.
 5. MEDICAL SPA
 A facility that operates under the full-time,
on-site supervision of a licensed health
care professional
 The primary purpose is to provide
comprehensive medical care in an
environment that integrates spa services.
Types of spa.
 6. MINERAL
SPRINGS SPA
 A spa offering an
on-site source of
natural mineral,
thermal or seawater
used in
hydrotherapy
treatments.
Types of spa.
 7. RESORT/HOTEL
SPA
 A spa owned by and
located within a resort
or hotel providing spa
services, fitness and
spa cuisine menu
choices.
7. resort / hotel spa.
 In addition to the leisure guest, this is a
great place for
who
wish to take advantage of the spa
experience while away from home.
 In many cases resort/hotel spas also
for local clientele and may offer
for people that live in the
community.