At least 430 wellness-oriented professionals are gathered here, at HILTON TEL AVIV, for the 16th Global Wellness Symposium – above, JoAnn Kurz-Ahlers, from USA, and Sarah Miller, from England. It was incredibly appropriate having the event in Tel Aviv – Israel has more than 9,000 tech companies-(we are always unsatisfied, we always want to make things happen, said one speaker).
At some points during the jam-packed three-day schedule more than one event was going on simultaneously. Everyone was in one room, however, to hear industry veteran Sue Harmsworth – she who started ESPA – talk. Despite the fact wedon’t have enough doctors, practitioners or therapists to cope with the mental epidemic she is optimistic. But, she cautioned, do not confuse consumers. The word ‘wellness’ has become too generic. On the last morning of the event, Sue Harmsworth was awarded 2022 Leading Woman in Wellness.
There was a fascinating session on wellness travel. Accor’s wellness guests spend 55% more than other travellers and the shaman at SOFITEL SANTA CLARA in Cartagena is doing great business. Six Senses’ take on wellness is different from others, said CEO Neil Jacobs:’Until 10 years ago we were a good spa company but not wellness. We are, today, pitched between a Four Seasons and CHIVA-SOM”. At a Six Senses you can do nothing that could be called serious wellness or you can do the whole works. This .means intense personalisation, achieved by an arrival ritual, what do you want out of your stay? Then a GEM, Guest Experience Manager, takes over. Six Senses’ advisor Anna Bjurstam explained the growth of wellness clubs, private members clubs that offer, say, spiritual longevity, as in the case of RoseBar. Six Senses Place clubs, kicking off in London, will create loyalty, continue the Six Senses experience, attract residential buyers and provide additional revenue.
Girlahead also relished having talent included in the programme. At THE BREAKERS, a Leading Hotel in Palm Beach, a detailed initiative has helped wellness of its team members, especially those of colour. A three-month programme kicked off with biometric screening of blood pressure, fasting glucose, BMI, waist circumference and more, and all were greatly improved by the end of the initiative.
Let’s hear Leading’s CEO Shannon Knapp, here:
