GWI partners with Therme Group to bring UK wellness research to Geography of Wellness platform
– Susie Ellis
Industry research and educational organisation the Global Wellness Institute (GWI) has announced that the UK is the latest country to be highlighted on its new Geography of Wellness microsite.
Launched in early 2022, the platform allows the GWI to provide more extensive country-level data when it comes to examining where the country is positioned within each sector and subsector of the wellness economy.
Global wellbeing company Therme Group – which views wellbeing as ultimately linked to community, culture and the natural world – has partnered with GWI to highlight recent research on the UK’s wellness economy.
“It’s been a pleasure getting to know more about Therme’s commitment to community, including its unique entertainment and wellbeing destinations based in the ancient traditions of thermal bathing, as well as its focus on wellbeing therapies, art and culture, botanics, food and nutrition,” said Susie Ellis, GWI chair and CEO.
“The Group’s philosophy that wellbeing should be accessible for all – and its aim to bring a Therme destination within a 90-minute travel time to 90 per cent of the British population – makes them a great partner for our organisation.”
It’s been a busy fortnight for news from Therme after the group unveiled its plans to open a US$200m (£166.9m, €193.6m) year-round wellbeing resort in the South Korean city of Incheon and revealed new visuals and updated plans as part of its project to redevelop Ontario Place and open a wellbeing resort in Canada (see renderings below).
The UK wellness economy
According to GWI data, the UK’s wellness economy grew from US$149.6bn (£123.1bn, €143,3bn) in 2017 to US$158.4bn (£130.4bn, €151.7bn) in 2020, ranking the country fifth out of the 218 measured worldwide and second in Europe.
The research also reveals that the highest spike in the wellness economy occurred in 2019 (pre-pandemic) when it was valued at US$167.8bn (£138.2bn, €160.7bn).
The hardest hit categories during the pandemic have reopened (Physical Activity, Spas, Thermal/Mineral Springs and Wellness Tourism) and the UK’s wellness economy is back in a strong position for continued growth.
A key highlight within the report relating to this period demonstrates the UK’s proportional increase in mental health awareness, as well as products and services in this sector.
“The societal shifts that we’re seeing in this report underline the importance of our projects in the UK,” said Stelian Iacob, senior VP of Therme Group UK. “We work to address wellbeing in all social and environmental dimensions, including improving physical and mental health.
“Our mission is to help people live happier, healthier and more fulfilling lives.”
GWI’s macro wellness economy market data, along with a deep dive into the UK, can be found in the newly released report, The Global Wellness Economy: United Kingdom.
Therme Group Global Wellness Institute Stelian Iacob Susie EllisTherme Group plans US$200m urban wellbeing resort in South Korea
Spending on wellness linked to happiness and greater longevity says new GWI report
Preparations for construction of £250m Therme Manchester project get underway
GWI spotlights country-specific wellness economy data with new Geography of Wellness microsite
UAE’s first Dior Spa debuts in Dubai at Dorchester Collection’s newest hotel, The Lana
Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
Bionic leaves, breathable metals and selfgrowing bricks... Biomimicry in architecture has come a long way. Christopher DeWolf takes a look at the latest advances