With December quickly slipping by in a haze of work, last minute planning and a little festive merry making, this week signals not only the final weeks of 2011 but also brings the release of the much anticipated annual SpaFinders Global Spa Trend Report for the coming year.  Now in its ninth year the report serves as an industry thermometer taking the temperature of the international spa market to deliver predictions on just where the Spa Industry will find itself heading next year. The verdict on global spa trends for next year?

First up is feet first with the prediction that we will see an increase in healthy feet treatments developed and offered across all spa sectors. Wellness comes to the fore with professional podiatrists consulting alongside foot therapists to deliver treatments combining foot beauty with foot health.

Next is the predicted rise in a more mainstream use of cooling treatments and experiences with the development of new and innovative technologies delivering icy blasts through cold water, ice and snow experiences. As many of you already know, Klafs has long understood the importance of cooling effectively so we are rather happy to hear that our Snow Cabins, Ice Fountains and Experience Showers are already ahead of next years trend towards the cool.

Third on the list is a shift towards lasting and effective health and wellness regimes with wellness coaches now looking set to become key in helping spa goers develop a health and fitness regime which is effective, manageable, achievable and delivers the desired results.

Wellness Gaming is next with online interactive games allowing the integration of fun activities with brand loyalty schemes with additional health and wellness monitoring capabilities. Fun combined with health and knowledge seems to be the key message.

As with 2011, the next prediction for 2012 is for the continuation in development of more tailored and unique packages incorporating Spa activities with fine wines and fine dining.  Consistency and curated will be buzz words ensuring that the spa goers receive a truly complete experience fit for their culinary as well as their bodily needs.

A focus on sensory stimulation through light, sound, music, vibration and colour are number six on the list with spas developing a range of therapies incorporating each element individually or in combination for a multi sensory experience. Good news for Klafs again given our long history of technological developments which deliver a whole range of sensory stimulation.

Number seven on the SpaFinders top 10 Global spa trends is the return to glamour where predictions see an increase in pop up (and pop in) spa salons and bars specialising in specific services such as blow drys, manicures, waxing and brow shaping.  Regular and short weekly treatments look set to become the norm.

2012 will also see an increasing thirst for knowledge and reassurance for the would-be spa goer with an ever increasing demand for the development of evidence based treatment programmes. The ‘science of spa’ will be key in delivering health and wellness treatments through a continued growth in the development of medi-spa facilities.

Ninth on the list is the predicted swing towards family friendly spa facilities where adult time can be combined with child-friendly spaces to enable time together and time apart as a family unit. Klafs latest development demonstrates how exceptional spa design is already challenging the ‘no children allowed’ rules.

Finally on the list of predictions for next year is the need for a bigger WOW factor with seasoned spa goers expecting to be astonished, delighted and surprised by the spa experience. Bigger, brighter and more unique experiences will come together through design and technology innovations. ‘Delivering beyond expectation’ will take notice of the little things, with closer attention paid to the small but greatly significant details which combine to create a unique user experience.

Our personal feelings on next year is that 2012 will become a year of immense global change creating an environment where innovation, technology and service delivery will be the key in adapting, surviving and thriving to create a sustainable spa business of the future. Our focus remains firmly on our clients.