The International Spa Association recently released findings from three studies on the spa industry: The Day Spa User Study, the Destination Spa User Study, and the Resort/Hotel Spa User Study. ISPA commissioned Cox Consulting to perform the studies; data were collected by way of more than 400 telephone interviews conducted from July 24 - September 1, 2001.

Study participants consisted of U.S. residents who had received a facial, massage or other bodywork treatment at a day spa, destination spa or resort/hotel spa in the previous 18 months. The studies focused on user demographics; usage habits; selection factors; treatments/activities; and retail purchasing at the three different types of spas. Some of the major findings are listed below:

• The majority of spa users in the studies were married; college graduates or higher; and employed full-time, with an average income of $96,000 - $125,000. Average age of the typical spa user ranged from 41-45 years.
• Spa treatments and spa atmosphere/surroundings were the most important considerations when choosing a spa.
• Most respondents said they planned to visit a spa in the next year or so.

This is the third set of studies conducted for ISPA. Previous nationwide studies included the American Spa-Goer Survey (1999), which examined attitudes and habits of Americans who reported visiting a spa in the previous year; and the 2000 Spa Industry Study, a comprehensive evaluation of the U.S. and Canadian spa industry.