Exploring the future of medical spas

According to the Global Wellness Institute, wellness tourism is expected to see average annual growth of 7.5% through 2022 – with wellness accounting for a 58% share of global health expenditures, this market certainly warrants attention. Whether it be preventive approaches in the interests of general health, such as diet and fitness, life coaching or stress management, or providing an environment that is conducive to a speedy recovery from a specific ailment, today’s guests expect a well-rounded package.

“Growth in the global medical spa market is driven by the increasing number of aesthetic medicine and cosmetic treatment options for beauty enhancement, and by the growth in wellness trends among developed nations. The rise in medical tourism in developing economies like India, China and Brazil is also expected to be a driver of growth.” explained CV Wijeratne, Head of Spa & Wellness Management Major at SSTH.

The Think Tank speakers revealed that the demand for hospitality expertise and talent is also felt in the provision of traditional medical treatments. As Dr Peter Yesawich of Brown Legacy Group explained, it is the orientation towards the guest experience inherent in hospitality – or indeed the patient experience in this case – that lies behind the “Mother Standard®” of care practiced at Cancer Treatment Centers of America®. This same holistic approach, striving to optimise the guest experience at each touchpoint, has enabled Lisa Clarke of the Destination Medical Center’s Economic Development Agency to overhaul the infrastructure surrounding Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. The clinic itself had an outstanding reputation but lacked hoteliers to provide a safe haven between treatments and an accessible, engaging environment to detract from the physical and emotional burden of undergoing treatment.