Spa and Hotel news from SpaCast.com. Part of Spa Index Media Network.

2009 called 'the worst downtown in our lifetimes' for Greater Phoenix spa resorts and hotels

When the owner of the luxury Phoenician resort reported year-end financial results, no negatives were spared in summing up the state of the hotel industry last year.

"For the lodging business, 2009 was the worst downturn in our lifetimes," Frits van Paasschen, chief executive officer of lodging giant Starwood Hotels and Resorts, said last week. "Even a tepid recovery will feel good."

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Updated! Spa Themed Twitter Lists

By popular request!  Our readers asked and we are happy to oblige. SpaIndex.com (publisher of SpaCast) previously tweeted its @SpaIndex #FollowFriday theme of Twitter users who are making use of  Twitter's "List Feature."  We've been asked to share our growing collection of "Twitter's Top Spa List Creators" and Spa Related Twitter Lists.  

Browsing another user's spa list is a great way to find new spa enthusists and providers in greater numbers than is permitted by the #FollowFriday trend, and by "following the list" itself you may review all tweets from the listed users in one session.

As the list feature on Twitter continues to gain popularity, and we receive your tips via Twitter, we'll enhance this list -- just let us know if you or your peers have created a spa related "Twitter List" by following and tweeting us @spaindex. *

TWITTER USERS WITH SPA-RELATED LISTS:

• http://www.twitter.com/SpaIndex
• http://twitter.com/MoreSpaTraffic/spas
• http://twitter.com/amarotto/spa-beauty-wellness
• http://twitter.com/beautycounter/spas
• http://twitter.com/beijingfairmont/spa
• http://twitter.com/blackrockspa/spas
• http://twitter.com/CranwellResort/spa
• http://twitter.com/Crash905/spa
• http://twitter.com/CrystalSprings/spa
• http://twitter.com/DaydreamMassage/massage-spa-wellness
• http://twitter.com/DeaconDoesDC/spas
• http://twitter.com/DestinationSpa/destination-spas
• http://twitter.com/dfiske/spaworld
• http://twitter.com/entre2nuages/worldspas
• http://twitter.com/futureclaw/hair-salons-and-spas
• http://twitter.com/GadaboutSalons/beauty-spa-fashion
• http://twitter.com/girlsgetaway/women-tours-spas-etc
• http://twitter.com/JewelsBG/spa-industry
• http://twitter.com/Kivivi/spas
• http://twitter.com/LookingGood_YYZ/spa
• http://twitter.com/MarktheSpaman/spa-luminaries
• http://twitter.com/meritageresort/spa
• http://twitter.com/monicaholbrook/yoga-spa
• http://twitter.com/MoxieAZSpaGirl/spa-peeps
• http://twitter.com/NancyHurst/resorts-spas-lodges
• http://twitter.com/Nemacolin/spa-world
• http://twitter.com/oseamalibu/spas-that-rock
• http://twitter.com/phreshspasalon/spasalonindustry
• http://twitter.com/sabahk/spas
• http://twitter.com/Sean1974/spa
• http://twitter.com/ShockConsult/hair-beauty-spa
• http://twitter.com/SpaFinder/spafinder-readers-choice
  
• http://twitter.com/SpaMaven/spa-boston
• http://twitter.com/swimmerpoet/spas
• http://twitter.com/TalkSpas/spas
• http://twitter.com/ThalgoUSA/spa-industry
• http://twitter.com/Wahanda/spas
• http://twitter.com/WantToGoTravel/all-things-spa
• http://twitter.com/WellnessTravel/wellness-travel
• http://twitter.com/worldbellydance/spa
• http://twitter.com/ypNYC/nyc-spas-salons/
• http://twitter.com/azspagirls/arizona-spas

Newest Additions!

• http://twitter.com/BikiniKitty/spa-beauty
• http://twitter.com/InnatTheForks/hotel-and-spa
• http://twitter.com/JewelsBG/spa-industry
• http://twitter.com/Kokokahn/spa-news
• http://twitter.com/LookingGood_YYZ/spa
• http://twitter.com/mainelementlove/spaservices
• http://twitter.com/Makeover_Diva/spaahs
• http://twitter.com/mikulsky/spa-salon-hotel
• http://twitter.com/MySkinConcierge/spa
• http://twitter.com/ORGANICLUXURY/spa
• http://twitter.com/phreshspasalon/spasalonindustry
• http://twitter.com/soapguy/spa
• http://twitter.com/ShockConsult/hair-beauty-spa
• http://twitter.com/SpaConsulting/spa-associations
• http://twitter.com/steamtherapy/travel-spas
• http://twitter.com/TalismanStudios/spas-and-salons
• http://twitter.com/TravelinKaty/spa
• http://twitter.com/VistaMassageSpa/massage-spa-wellness
• http://twitter.com/WantToGoTravel/all-things-spa
• http://twitter.com/WaxBarSalon/salon-spa-beauty
• http://twitter.com/WDSpa/spas
• http://twitter.com/w3giftcards/salons-spa

*Inclusion in SpaCast's Twitter Spa Lists is subject to approval.

Spa STAR report: Average spa treatment rate is US$146

Luxury spa participants in the Spa STAR performance report continued to show declining performance metrics through the third quarter of 2009, according to data released by STR. Through September year-to-date, the Average Treatment Rate (ATR) for the participating spas was US$146, a decline of 10 percent from the first nine months of 2008. For the same time frame the Average Daily Rate (ADR) for luxury hotels tracked by STR decreased 17 percent to US$240.

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#SpaCast: Intelligent Spas Publishes Fifth Spa Study for #Australia

Intelligent Spas’ fifth Spa Benchmark Report on the Australian spa market presents an extensive collection of financial statistics including breakdowns of key performance indicators by day spas, hotel spas and resort spas. The new research found over 600 spas are operating in Australia and are expected to generate AUD500 million (approximately USD465 million) in revenue during 2009, representing a 17% increase compared to 2008.

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#SpaCast: US medical spas facing state legislation

Medical spas in the US and elsewhere have increased in numbers and are popular as medical tourism destinations. Several countries have reported problems of medical spas undertaking medical procedures which neither the spa nor the staff are qualified to do. Unfortunately, this reflects badly on the majority who are professional. They have tended to fall between the gaps in legislation, but one of the first countries seeking to remedy that is the USA. Nationally, the number of medical spas around the country has grown from 500 in 2004 to 2,500 today. If this growth rate continues, more states will follow the four who are preparing regulations, and almost every sate has discussed the idea.

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Massage Therapy Foundation Conference Registration Opens

Researchers around the world are initiating studies into the health benefits of massage therapy. Today, the leading U.S. massage-research organization announced registration had opened for its next conference on massage in complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) research.

The Massage Therapy Foundation announced on Nov. 16, that people may begin to register for its second conference, "Highlighting Massage Therapy in CIM Research," at www.massagetherapyfoundation.org. The conference will present current research related to massage and manual therapies, with a focus on translational research and public health.The three-day conference will bring together massage and manual therapy practitioners, educators, CIM researchers, allied health professionals and others interested in massage research.

Full Information at: http://www.massagetherapyfoundation.org/researchconference2010.html

via www.massagemag.com

Business bubbling for Spa boss

Few industries are growing as fast as the worldwide spa industry which, according to the International SPA Association (ISPA) generates direct revenues of $60 billion every year.

The Global Spa Summit, held this year in Interlaken in Switzerland, says the figure is really $250bn, when the knock-on effects, consultancy, construction, are taken into account.

Brian Hunter, director of the Mary Reid Academy, one of the best-known names in beauty training since the 1950s, is well-placed to see the global picture, in a career that has taken him throughout the world in the catering, hospitality and spa industries.

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Coyle Hospitality research: Spa Consumer Sentiment

Coyle Hospitality Group, a leading market research and quality assurance firm, and WTS International, a world leader in spa management/consulting, have teamed up to provide the industry with ground-breaking research on spa consumer sentiment.  The goal was to help spa operators align their programs and offerings to match what guests truly want during these uncertain economic times.

Over 1,300 active spa-goers were surveyed in September 2009 about their buying patterns, spending habits, best spa experiences, and other 'hot topics' regarding spas.

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Twitter Reference Guide to ISPA Conference Expo 2009 (#ISPA09)

SpaIndex.com: Guide to Day Spas and Stay Spas (@SpaIndex) has compiled a Twitter Users Quick Reference Guide to the International Spa Association 2009  Conference & Expo underway in Austin Texas  (October 5 through October 8 2009).

All things #ISPA09:
@ISpaDoYou @LynneMcNees @livespa @spagal2009 @melissajriley @PulseMagazine

#ISPA09 Hotels:
@lakeaustinspa @TheCrossingsATX @FSAustin @bartoncreekstay @HiltonAustin

#ISPA09: Speakers:
@GuyKawasaki @Bertice_Berry @Lancearmstrong @zappos @jeremygutsche

#ISPA09: Austin Spas:
@VisitLostPines @milkandhoneyspa @BartonCreekSpa @lakeaustinspa @SpaReveil

#ISPA09: Guides:
@CenterdinAustin @VisitAustinTX @Austin_Monthly @austin360music and lastly: @dfiske

Smith Travel Research says "No good place to start" to project travel outlook

As the hotel industry's resident statistician, Mark Lomanno is peppered with questions about next year's outlook wherever he goes. At a national lodging conference last week in Phoenix, he delivered the answer before the first click in his presentation.

"There's just no good place to start," the president of Smith Travel Research said of the firm's 2010 forecast.

Travel demand, slammed by the recession like never before, appears to be improving but is still down significantly from a year ago. Demand is expected to rise only slightly in 2010 given a slow economic recovery, he said. Room rates, slashed so aggressively that Sheratons now compete with Four Seasons in price, will take much longer to recover. A flurry of new hotel openings continues to be a drag.

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