WHAT ARE THE DAY-TO-DAY IMPLICATIONS of wellness technology ? Jessica Wadley , vice-president of business development for the integrative health and wellness division of Oakworks , a leader in the development of wellness technology , offers a few insights .
Jessica had the opportunity to attend the International Luxury Hotel Association gathering last December , an annual trade association event that brings together C-suite leaders in the luxury and ultra-luxury sector . “ The consensus was clear : Technology can be great as long as it works ,” says Jessica . “ However , there is a general caution regarding the launch of any ‘ 1.0 ’ or even ‘ 2.0 ’ versions ( of any technology ). Luxury properties are exercising further caution when selecting technology to ensure the hospitality is not lost in technology .”
Along the same lines , Jessica says ,“ organizations are fully exploring wellness technology — the intention , attitude and acceptance .” All of this impacts the overall guest experience , satisfaction and revenue . Thus , we are on the precipice of wellness technology creating a whole next aspect of the spa experience , including the evolution of wellness technology from the front desk to the treatment room . can have a magnifying effect that is beyond the control of spa leadership . Think of client reviews , for example . In the past , negative customer feedback reached an average of only nine others via word of mouth . With the use of sites such as TripAdvisor and Yelp , reviews — positive or negative — can reach millions . The same is true for comments made on social media .
One way to offset concerns about spa technology is to follow the lead of prominent and influential brands such as Six Senses and Mandarin Oriental . Incorporation of new wellness technology by those established entities signals the industry ’ s acceptance and approval . Smaller spas and lesserknown locations may then feel more comfortable about introducing concepts without the fear of pushing too far , too fast . Spa brands that use technology to create an intersection between quality and guest satisfaction receive higher feedback scores from customers . Spa technology , if utilized correctly , increases guests ’ overall perception of the experience .
While it was once debated whether new tools have mostly positive or mostly negative implications , spa technology has increasingly been seen as both friend and foe and is inescapable ; it is here to stay . We have just begun to scratch the surface of the customer-facing technology realm — the list includes information technology , digital technology , experiential technology and more — and how wellness technology will continue to shape the spa industry .
A closer look at wellness technology
So , what is wellness technology ? The concept refers to a wide range of products and devices designed to help users monitor and maintain physical and mental health and overall wellness . Wellness technology includes wearable fitness trackers , smart scales ,
sleep-tracking devices and apps that help individuals manage their stress levels , nutrition and physical activity . It also incorporates virtual reality therapy , telemedicine and wearable medical devices . These wellness technologies aim to provide access to information , insights and resources that can help users make healthier lifestyle choices , better manage physical and mental well-being and prevent or manage chronic conditions . The goal of wellness technology is to help users advance from wellness to well-being , and ultimately to thrive .
In recent generations , the wellness movement has shifted the mindset from “ doing ” to “ being ”— aiming to be present fully in the moment . Wellness technology is the next logical step , especially with the high demand for wellness treatments and experiences .
It is incredible that a little over 30 years ago , when ISPA was in its infancy , much of the technology readily used today didn ’ t exist . Now we ( almost ) can ’ t live without it as we experience a continuous uptick in technology development , acceptance and evolution . As systems advance and demand increases , the growth of technology will continue . Spa technology provides a competitive advantage , with younger consumers demanding quicker and faster results . Combined with a decade-long decrease in therapists , the concept of wellness technology experience is becoming a ( virtual ) reality . n
SHERRIE TENNESSEE has 20 years of experience in the hospitality and spa industry in many roles , including massage therapist , nail tech , spa owner , professor , educator , podcast host , author and keynote speaker . She is author of How to Open a Day Spa : 31-Day Guide . Sherrie is a certified hospitality educator and certified hospitality trainer with American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute , has a BS in biology and an MBA specializing in marketing and entrepreneurship , recently completed a graduate program certificate training in integrative health and wellness , and currently is in UNLV ’ s hospitality Ph . D . program . She has worked at well-known institutions and luxury brands including Johns Hopkins , MedImmune , Johnson and Wales University , Sandals Resorts International and Mandarin Oriental .
40 PULSE n APRIL 2023