What Spa-Goers Want

Meetings & Conventions: Incentive News

NEW STUDY FINDS BASIC TREATMENTS ARE MOST POPULAR AT HOTELS AND RESORTS What Spa-Goers Want
Peggy Whitman (left), president of SITE, and Jill Harrington, outgoing CEO While treatment menus grow ever more creative, it’s the traditional massage that most people seek, revealed a study released by the Lexington, Ky.-based International Spa Association.

Of 400 adults surveyed by an independent firm, 88 percent cited massage as their treatment of choice. Of those, 74 percent favor Swedish massages. Other types, such as deep tissue massage and shiatsu, were cited by fewer than 20 percent of respondents. Among other findings:

• Sixty-seven percent said they base their choice of a resort or hotel at least some of the time on the availability of spa treatments.

• Treatments, atmosphere and food are key factors in selecting a spa. Exercise classes and personal growth sessions were not high priorities.

• Manicures, pedicures and facials also were favorites (86 percent), followed by fitness/sports facilities (56 percent) and body wraps/exfoliation (50 percent).