You might imagine that the crash in global economies would mean spa treatments were not so much of a priority for lots of people. You might reckon that people are spending their money only on essentials right now and not on luxuries that they don't strictly need. You might be surprised to learn then that the International Spa Assosication (ISPA) has suggested recently that health spa are recession proof. A seventeen percent increase in spa visitor numbers in 2008 (compared to 2007) backed this claim up quite considerably. So how and why is this case?
ISPA has said that spas will survive simply because they are adaptable and are able to offer people what they think they want depending on the current climate. What they mean by this is that during times of prosperity, when everyone is feeling good about themselves, spa market themselves as somewhere they can treat themselves. They offer luxury manicures and pampering body wraps, playing very much on the theme of ‘why not? You've earned it'. Of course in times of doom and gloom this same approach would not work. You will not get people to spend money on things they consider 'treats' when their finances are uncertain. So spas then need to use another angle.
Spas can claim to offer people exactly what they need when they are suffering from a period of high stress or anxiety. They suggest having a full body de-stressing massage, to work away all the pains and strains of life and give you back the energy you need to go about your daily lives. Instead of pampering facials, you can now get a uplifting exfoliating scrub to get rid of all that old bad skin and emerge a brand new butterfly with a fresh outlook on life and a positive attitude towards any problems you may be facing
