2020 threw the wellness world for a loop, but 2021 was a year of impressive and lasting growth for the spa industry.

Wellness was on a path of consistent and impressive growth in the decade leading up to 2020. Spa industry statistics demonstrate that steady year-over-year climb, but they also show how the global COVID-19 pandemic led to a sudden and dramatic drop-off. Since recovery efforts began in late 2020 and early 2021, spas around the world have been successfully reopening and making up for lost time. The future of the spa industry is looking up — here’s how.

Spa industry statistics: We’re headed for new heights

In 2019 in the United States, spa industry revenue reached $19.1 billion following ten years of steady growth. But in 2020, spa industry revenue in the US fell by $7 million. Although COVID-19 is still a fact of life and most of the world still hasn’t returned to normalcy, recovery efforts in 2021 have proved fruitful. Masking, social distancing, and vaccination efforts have made it possible to live life out in the world again, and that re-entry to society comes hot on the heels of the new emphasis on self-care that developed during lockdowns. 

That has meant a huge windfall for spas; consumers are returning to in-person businesses in droves while actively looking for opportunities to treat themselves well physically, mentally, and spiritually. As 2021 draws to a close, projections show that by 2027, the size of the global spa market is expected to reach $133 billion — a marked increase from the pre-pandemic market size of $105 billion recorded in 2019. Here are three ways spas can make the most of that projected growth:

Holistic health: The world wants one-stop self-care shops

One of the most important self-care revolutions to come out of the pandemic was the idea that taking care of the body isn’t separate from supporting the mind. All aspects of health go hand in hand to make people feel happier, freer, and more satisfied with however they spend their days. In 2021, many spas learned that offering a diverse menu of treatment types is a good way to give clients more opportunities to scratch the self-care itch.

Integrating spa services in this way — catering to mind, body, and spirit all at once — will be an important trend for spas in 2022 and beyond. Think of fitness centers that offer massage services and bodywork or medspas that provide both invasive treatments and external cosmetic offerings. Hotels with their own spas are another good example of the holistic health approach; experiences that take the whole human into account will be increasingly appealing to consumers as society continues to inch its way back toward normal.

Physical feeling: The senses are more important than ever

Throughout the lockdown phase of the pandemic, one of the things people missed most was physical touch. Hugging friends and family, gathering with groups to raise a glass, even shaking hands — activities we once took for granted were suddenly dangerous. Researchers even studied a condition called touch starvation. Although many people returned to gathering, hugging, and high-fiving this year, the lasting effects of the pandemic are likely to impact all five senses for many years to come.

That’s why another trend that is likely to continue from 2021 into 2022 is the value of physical touch as a core aspect of health. Spas that treat their services like the important, meaningful moments they are will do a better job of providing clients with memorable and lasting experiences. Instead of pushing customers through the revolving door, take the time to consider the true value of the spa services you offer and treat them — and the clients that book them — with the respect and honor that they deserve.

Tech tools: Plug in so your clientele can bliss out

Spa industry analysis shows that another way spas can prepare themselves for the future is by embracing technology. With the right tech tools in place, spas will be able to improve productivity, reduce inefficiencies, increase revenue, and provide better customer experiences from start to finish. For professionals who specialize in spa management, not technology, adopting new tools can be intimidating. But you don’t have to get a degree in engineering to introduce powerful tech at your salon.

Look at the business areas you already know and deal with every day to identify how tech might be able to help you achieve even greater success:

• Scheduling: Advanced scheduling tools make it easier to create schedules for your team, making sure that every employee’s daily roster is fulfilling and manageable.

• Bookings: Take some pressure off your receptionist by giving the clients the option of self-service bookings that integrate directly with your scheduling solution for ease.

• Payments: No more fishing around for your clients’ credit cards when their nails are wet; payment platforms let you keep client information on file so they can breeze in and out.

• Client Relationships: Spas are relationship businesses, at the end of the day. Use technology to keep detailed profiles that help you delight your most valued clients.

Technology helps your team — and your clients — focus on the real gem of the spa experience, instead of getting bogged down in the process. Speed up all the pre- and post-service activities like making appointments and taking payments, and you’ll be able to hone in on what’s most important about the spa experience today.