Hotelier Middle East – August 2019

HOTELIER MIDDLE EAST | August 2019 | Volume 18 Issue 08

SPECIAL REPORT

42

more than treadmills, although

these products remain the most

used pieces.

MARAIS: Within this industry, it

is important to understand and

decide which trends are worth

embracing and which should be

left untouched. Most wellness

trends become a big part of our

lifestyle. Balancing our connection

with the digital world remains a

hot topic. Anxiety is rising due to

our busy lifestyles, therefore the

importance of mental wellness

continues to grow. Getting back to

basics in many aspects is also on

the rise.

TOSHEVA: Wellness is no longer

an addition to hotel spaces but a

necessity. This is a vital place for

every guest to relax, recharge, be

mindful, plan their food journal,

and follow a fitness routine.

Customers are getting more

demanding in terms of those

spaces and this is influencing their

booking decisions. A few trends

include meditation sessions and

spaces specifically designed

for this within the hotel ( both

outdoors and indoors),

organic facials and

body treatments and

finally, having a

nutritionist or

wellness chef that

works together with

the hotel kitchen

is a necessity

with today’s

demanding

travellers on different

types of diets.

outdo

organ

bodyt

fina

nut

wel

wo

th

trave

types of diets.

employees are always given their

space in pantries and work area

to create their recipes. The other

factor that is usually not considered

is the experience fl ow in terms of

meet and greet at the front desk,

going through the journey of therapy

and relaxation and fi nishing with

the retail area as the fi nal point in the

customer journey.

WHAT KPIs DEFINE A SUCCESSFUL

WELLNESS SPACE?

MARAIS: Utilisation rates

of treatment rooms and of

therapists. From an investor’s

perspective, the treatment

revenue per square m is also

essential. Average treatment rate,

revenue per available treatment

hour and number of treatments

sold per day will also define a

successful wellness space.

TOSHEVA: Successful wellness space

KPIs are far beyond the fi nancial

KPIs such as treatment rate,

occupancy, therapist utilisation and

revenues. This is defi nitely crucial,

however, what we do with this data

and how we analyse it to make the

space even more consumer friendly

is important. In terms of design

the key is in simplicity of the fl ow,

designing the energy fl ow in a circle

that allows free spaces and less

distractions on the way. In terms of

ROI the utilisation of the spaces

that are integrated into the whole

plan to make sense of balancing

the revenue generation vs. non-

revenue generation.

WHAT ARE SOME TRENDS THAT YOU

CAN FORECAST FOR THE NEXT YEAR?

DANAB: Virtual/digital training

will continue to develop, especially

for international hotels looking

for 24-hour fi tness opportunities.

In-room fi tness is another strategy

that’s been deliberated for many

yearsand with the current market

it is fi nding traction. Better use

of space and additional training

opportunities, exercisers want

The quartz crystal bed at

The Retreat Palm Dubai

MGallery is used for

energy healing.

Hydrotherapy pools at

SPA at Jumeirah Saadiyat

Island Resort.

A selection of cutting-edge

equipment supplied by

Delta Fitness.