International Spa Research Articles

ІННОВАЦІЇ В СФЕРІ СПА-ПОСЛУГ ГОТЕЛЮ

The article provides an analysis of innovations in the SPA industry and implementation of the latest techniques and innovative procedures in Ukrainian hotels. The fast pace of life of a modern active person, the rapid development of technologies, the deterioration of the ecological state, anxiety and insomnia, psychological disorders associated with military aggression and many other factors encourage tourists to pay more attention to their health and rest, choose hotels that provide SPA services. SPA is a place where one can restore one’s emotional balance, improve mental and physical health, increase social activity and creativity using healing treasures provided by the nature, various types of massage, rejuvenating procedures. The research methodology was based on the application of a system analysis of innovations developed and implemented in international spa centers such as Palazzo Fiuggi, Italy; Soneva Jani, Maldives; Rakxa, Thailand; Park Eagles, Austria. An abstract-logical method was used to make theoretical generalizations and conclusions about the essence of innovations in the field of spa services. The main areas of innovative activity are analyzed and their characteristics are provided. The importance of innovations in the field of SPA industry is considered and important factors that must be taken into account when providing services are determined. The main approaches that the company needs to focus on when providing SPA procedures have been determined. Classic and innovative wellness services with an indication of the healing effect are given. The main types of massage are defined. The characteristics of non-invasive procedures during which modern equipment is used and at the same time hospitalization of the patient to a hospital and quick rehabilitation periods are not required (Ultherapy, CoolSculpting). The characteristics of innovative equipment for relaxation and recovery are considered. Based on the analysis and study of innovations in the field of SPA services, the authors have proposed modern innovative procedures, which take into account the needs of customers and expand the range of additional services.

Comparison of Clinically Relevant Adipose Preparations on Articular Chondrocyte Phenotype in a Novel In Vitro Co-Culture Model.

Adipose therapeutics, including isolated cell fractions and tissue emulsifications, have been explored for osteoarthritis (OA) treatment; however, the optimal preparation method and bioactive tissue component for healing has yet to be determined. This in vitro study compared the effects of adipose preparations on cultured knee chondrocytes. De-identified human articular chondrocytes were co-cultured with adipose preparations for 36 or 72 h. Human adipose tissues were obtained from abdominal panniculectomy procedures and processed using three different techniques: enzymatic digestion to release stromal vascular fraction (SVF), emulsification with luer-to-luer transfer (nanofat), and processing in a bead-mill (Lipogems, Lipogems International SpA, Milan, Italy). Gene expression in both chondrocytes and adipose preparations was measured to assess cellular inflammation, catabolism, and anabolism. Results demonstrated that chondrocytes cultured with SVF consistently showed increased inflammatory and catabolic gene expression compared with control chondrocytes at both 36- and 72-h timepoints. Alternatively, chondrocytes co-cultured with either nanofat or bead-mill processed adipose derivatives yielded minimal pro-inflammatory effects and instead increased anabolism and regeneration of cartilage extracellular matrix. Interestingly, nanofat preparations induced transient matrix anabolism while Lipogems adipose consistently demonstrated increased matrix synthesis at both study timepoints after co-culture. This evaluation of the regenerative potential of adipose-derived preparations as a clinical tool for knee OA treatment suggests that mechanically processed preparations may be more efficacious than an isolated SVF cell preparation.

The Impact of China’s Low-Carbon Initiative on the Location Expansion of International SPA Enterprises

“Fast fashion” represents a short product life cycle, and international SPA enterprises are therefore criticised as representatives of high energy consumption, pollution, and emissions, which is contrary to China’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality. In the context of China’s shift to a low-carbon economic development model, how should SPA enterprises breakthrough in the face of China’s large-scale market advantage and domestic demand potential? Based on the statistics of 277 prefecture-level cities from 2010 to 2018, this article selects 5 leading international SPA enterprises and uses the difference-in-differences (DID) method to explore the impact of low-carbon initiative on the location expansion of international SPA enterprises. The results suggest that the quantity of location expansions of SPA enterprises in the pilot cities is significantly lower by approximately 0.418 units compared with the nonpilot cities, implying that the low-carbon initiative has a significant inhibitory effect on the location expansion of SPA enterprises. After a series of robustness tests, the conclusion is valid. The results of the heterogeneity test suggest that the suppression effect is mainly found in the subsample of central cities and cities with medium and low levels of economic development. This article proposes that SPA enterprises should reduce their carbon emissions and gradually explore a green and sustainable development path.

Characterisation of Novel Angiogenic and Potent Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Micro-Fragmented Adipose Tissue.

Adipose tissue and more specifically micro-fragmented adipose tissue (MFAT) obtained from liposuction has recently been shown to possess interesting medicinal properties whereby its application supports pain reduction and may enhance tissue regeneration particularly in osteoarthritis. Here we have characterised samples of MFAT produced using the Lipogems® International Spa system from eight volunteer individuals in order to understand the critical biological mechanisms through which they act. A variation was found in the MFAT cluster size between individual samples and this translated into a similar variation in the ability of purified mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to form colony-forming units. Almost all of the isolated cells were CD105/CD90/CD45+ indicating stemness. An analysis of the secretions of cytokines from MFAT samples in a culture using targeted arrays and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed a long-term specific and significant expression of proteins associated with anti-inflammation (e.g., interleukin-1 receptor alpha (Il-1Rα) antagonist), pro-regeneration (e.g., hepatocyte growth factor), anti-scarring and pro-angiogenesis (e.g., transforming growth factor beta 1 and 2 (TGFβ1/2) and anti-bacterial (e.g., chemokine C-X-C motif ligand-9 (CXCL-9). Angiogenesis and angiogenic signalling were notably increased in primary bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) to a different extent in each individual sample of the conditioned medium whilst a direct capacity of the conditioned medium to block inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharides was shown. This work characterises the biological mechanisms through which a strong, long-lasting, and potentially beneficial effect can be observed regarding pain reduction, protection and regeneration in osteoarthritic joints treated with MFAT.

A code of conduct to guide Indigenous-inspired spas

ABSTRACT While best practices are provided for green spas, Indigenous tourism, and ecotourism, there has been an absence of a code of conduct for spas that aim to sustainably integrate culture. The need for guidelines unique to this niche spa sector is critical and timely given the post-COVID-19 demand by travellers seeking out more health-related benefits via wellness holidays. This paper reports on a study of international spa experts and Indigenous healers who incorporate ancient practices into spa experiences to provide benefits to clients through non-exploitative means. The result is a suggested code of conduct as well as a definition for spas offering services or rituals based on or inspired by Indigenous traditions. The code features several themes including risks; honouring culture; product development and training; client experience; as well as local empowerment. The benefits to Indigenous communities include meaningful employment and preserving ancient practices that are at risk of erosion. Benefits to clients include cross-cultural learning through oral history (storytelling) of traditions, and spa options that remedy stress or other health imbalances. The spa sector in turn benefits from guidance as to how to determine if and how cultural elements are suitable to incorporate into their spa menus of offerings.

ОЦЕНКА ПРИВЛЕКАТЕЛЬНОСТИ И ВОЗМОЖНОСТИ КОНКУРЕНТОСПОСОБНОСТИ МЕДИЦИНСКОГО ТУРИЗМА В АЗЕРБАЙДЖАНЕ (НА ПРИМЕРЕ НАФТАЛАНА)

Purpose: The main goal of the article is to identify the prospects for the improvement of health tourism, which is a priority field of tourism in Azerbaijan, and the application of unique treatment opportunities in Naftalan. The main methodological basis of the article is the existing theories and new approaches in health tourism. Health is a theoretical-methodology from tourism to medical, spa-health, thermal and third age group, as an alternative service area for disabled people . In addition, the TDRC model was studied in assessing the competitiveness of the destination in terms of economic, social and physical benefits. Result: The socio-economic efects of the improvement of Naftalan treatment and health destination, the role of organisation of employment of the population, the conducting the international certification to boost the attractiveness were mentioned. The marketing strategy of the destination was analyzed, the directions of social media marketing were indicated, the arrangement of manufacture and sale of cosmetic products belonging to the Naftalan brand were investigated. At the same time, the preparation, marketing and sales opportunities of short, medium and long-term packages belonging to the Naftalan destination were analyzed. In order to increase the competitiveness of Naftalan as a health tourism destination, it is essential to gain international certificates, the city should be a member of the International SPA and the European Association of Thermal Cities. Scientific innovation: For the first time, the article evaluates the competitiveness of Naftalan, the international certification of medical services, and analyzes the main attractive advantages. At the same time, the preparation of short, medium and long-term tourism packages, the organization of leisure services are among the scientific innovations of the article.

The impacts of high-volume massage on spa therapists’ physical and mental wellness

ABSTRACTIssues of turnover are causing detrimental effects to the service industry, impacting business productivity (Baum, 2006; Boella and Goss Turner, 2013 Cohen & Bodeker, 2008; Solnet, Kralj & Kandampully, 2012). As the spa industry continues to increase at a rapid rate (Global Wellness Institute, 2018), simultaneously, issues of recruitment and retention follow suit (Cohen & Bodeker, 2008; Global Spa and Wellness Summit, 2012; International Spa Association, 2012; McIInheney, 2018). The spa and wellness industries are embedded (Spa Creators, 2016); therefore, employee wellness should be a focal concern for spa business. Few studies have been conducted in the field of human resource management concerning the spa industry (Hakhverdyan, 2017), however a small amount of research provides a suggestion that the physical nature of a spa therapist’s job role in high-volume massage settings is resulting in decreased wellness, along with other factors (Blau et al. 2013; Craig, 2018; Yeomans et al., 2009). The positive impacts of workplace wellness initiatives have proven successful in boosting business productivity amongst many organisations (Mintel, 2010; Killian, 2017; Spa Finder, 2016). Further investigation of this phenomena could provide valuable and insightful knowledge contribution to inform both academia and business practice in this field.

First-time versus repeat tourists: level of satisfaction, emotional involvement, and loyalty at hot spring

ABSTRACTThis study aims to investigate the differences between first-time and repeat tourists in terms of emotional involvement, satisfaction and loyalty constructs. Quantitative methodology was employed, consisting of a self-administered questionnaire that involved inviting a convenience sample of 400 tourists visiting the Sarein hot spring of Ardebil in Iran. The collected data was analyzed by using descriptive statistics, independent sample t-test, factor analysis, pearson’s correlation analysis and multiple regression. The results indicate that there were no significant differences between first-timers and repeat visitors for demographic characteristics, emotional involvement, satisfaction and loyalty. Based on the research findings, repeat visitors were found to be slightly more satisfied, involved and loyal compared to the first-timers.Abbreviations: DMO: Destination marketing organizations; WHO: World Health Organization; ISPA: International Spa Association; EFA: Exploratory Factor Analyses

Lifestyle Segmentation of Spa Users: A Study of Inbound Travelers to Hong Kong

Based on the increasing popularity of the wellness/spa trend and the growing numbers of inbound tourists to Hong Kong, it is crucial for spa industry experts to understand the ever-changing desires of consumers. The study aims to identify the lifestyle dimensions of international spa visitors to Hong Kong and to profile each segment based on their sociodemographic and travel characteristics. The study adopts a quantitative approach to segmenting international spa visitors in Hong Kong by lifestyle. The results of the lifestyle segmentation revealed five clusters of spa visitors. The segments are “health conscious and intellectual”, “average”, “family focused”, “pleasure oriented”, and “carefree”. It is found that the majority of travelers who visit spas in Hong Kong are health conscious and intellectual. In general, visitors prefer day spas, to visit with their partner or friends, and to enjoy body massage treatments.

Reinventions of a spa town: the unique case of Vichy

Vichy appeared first as a Roman village, disappeared with the Empire, and was reborn as a medieval fortified town. Following the Middle Ages and the wars of religion, Vichy emerged in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries as a spa centre. Urban modernisation during the Second Empire and Belle Époque, together with the promotion of hydrotherapy by business and medical interests, propelled it into prominence as an international spa tourist destination. Visitors during the late nineteenth and first half of the twentieth centuries were often French military and civilian personnel from the colonies. Following France's defeat by the Germans in 1940, Vichy became the seat of the collaborationist government of Marshal Philippe Pétain. Since the war, the town has had to overcome a stigma it acquired for its wartime role. More critical to its spa tourism trade, however, was the end of the Empire, which together with a discrediting of water cures among the medical establishment, virtually dried up spa traffic to Vichy. Town leaders have worked since to reorient its tourist trade by creating sports and convention centres. Most importantly, Vichy continues to export large quantities of the mineral water associated with its name.

NEEDS ANALYSIS OF ENGLISH FOR STUDENTS OF SPA TRAINING PROGRAM

In response to the booming of the spa industry. STP Nusa Dua Bali has launched a Spa Training Program, aiming at preparing students to be able to work profes­sionally in international spa outlets/industries. Besides spa vocational subjects English is a crucial subject in the Program in order to enable the students to communicate effectively and appropriately with foreign guests and customers in handling their future job. Since Spa was a new program at STP Nusa Dua Bali, this research was conducted/or identifying the profile of the learners 'target needs of English language course in the Spa Training Program, specifically. at basic operational levels, including Spa Receptionists, Spa Therapists, and Spa Atten­dants. The data were obtained through interviews, observation, texts collection, and informal consultation at several 'international' Spa outlets in Nusa Dua tourist resorts. They were then analyzed and are presented by using Hutchinson and Waters' (1987) and Mun by 's (1978) target situation analysis frameworks. The communicative acts and.functions can be grouped into 9 communicative events: information clerk, reservation clerk, reception clerk, bell boy/doorman, spa at­tendant, spa therapist, cashier, communicating by telephone, and dealing with complaints.

Scopolamine, cognition and dementia

This symposium of the British Psychological Society Annual Conference was convened by Dr Andy Parrott (Department of Psychology, University of East London) and Dr Ian Deary (Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh). The conference was held in Scarborough at the International Spa Complex in April 1992.