India Spa Millionaire

India Spa Millionaire
by Susie Ellis, SpaFinder Insider

As you probably know each year SpaFinder announces the top ten spa trends we are seeing for the spa industry in general. In addition, sometimes we take a closer look at one particular country. Last year we looked at Japan, this year it is India. With a rapidly growing economy and vibrant growth in their spa sector (2,300 spas and $384 million in revenue to be exact) it turned out to be a good choice.

My thanks goes to Komal Shah who has been the Director of Research for SpaFinder this past year. She did most of the research. Komal is from India and has many family members there. I think this research project ended up being a labor of love for her and it was fun and insightful for us. Pictured to the left is the Oberoi Rajvilas – just one of the many outstanding award-winning spas in India. Turns out there are many more spas – and even more in the pipeline. India is certainly on everyone’s radar, following the terror attacks in Mumbai, the popularization of “Bollywood,” and the release of the critically-acclaimed film, Slumdog Millionaire . Here then is a glimpse of what is happening in the world of spas in India.1. Thou Who Seekest a Spa, Will Find One : With more than 700 spas predicted to open doors in the next two-four years, there’s no doubt that the spa industry in India is growing fast…

2. Yoga, Ayurveda Represent Serious Business, Now More Than Ever: Yoga, one of the most powerful and profitable wellness modalities in the word, is a lifestyle for millions of people who are increasingly enthusiastic about traveling to the spiritual and cultural source: India…

3. Alternative Healing Back in Vogue: Alternative healing has always been a traditional part of the Indian cultural milieu. Spearheaded by spas, 2009 will see a renewed interest in a wellness lifestyle and diverse alternative healing approaches…

4. The Spa-Savvy Indian Male: The urban Indian male increasingly wants to look good and feel good: and now seeks wellness treatments—like Champissage (head massage) and full-body massage on a regular basis…

5. For the Love of Luxury: The affluent Indian consumer loves brands. To cater to the brand-conscious consumer, local Indian spas (like Chandan Sparsh and Fountain Spa) will increasingly establish themselves as multi-city spa brands…

6. Medical Tourists Will Spa!: With the extended global spa economy now estimated to be worth $255 billion, there has never been a better time for medical tourism in India. India will continue to be a hot spot for medical tourists that seek travel services that incorporate diverse wellness packages…

7. Aesthetic Treatments Get More Attractive: Look for an uptick in medical spas, dental spas and cosmetic clinics that cater to both locals and traveling medical tourists…

8. The Spa Tween-Teen Year: While some spas (such as the Dinacharya course at Sanjeeva medical spa at Vedic Village, Kolkaka) are already offering packages designed specifically for teens, numerous other spas will follow suit…

9. Bollywood Stars Spice Up Spas: While some celebrities enjoy spa-ing, many also actively promote health and wellness initiatives. Look for more Bollywood stars to inculcate the importance of spa-going in their own lives…

10. Culture, Myth, History Catch Spa Fancy: Many of the newer spas of India are fashionably designed around Indian history, astrology and values, and offer incredible immersive spa experiences, dedicated to indigenous culture, myth, materials and design…
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