SPA INDUSTRY & SPA RESEARCH

IN FINLAND

Telle Tuominen, Turku University of Applied Sciences

Bad Gleichenberg, 10th Nov. 2009

Background• Spa traditions in Finland date back to the 18th

and 19th century

• Several spas were founded around mineral water springs

• Exploitation of mineral waters was cut out in the middle of the 20th century => domination of physiotherapy, massage, and hydrotherapy during the past decades

• Finland has no historical spa towns (Kurorte)

Today

Today there are app. 30 resort spas in Finland:– Recreation spas (families, corporate and meeting

groups)- Rehabilitation spas (social tourism, maintaining

working ability*)- Wellness spas

(*= A Finnish national programme for feeling better at work and having strength to work. Apart

from physical fitness and health it also means psychological force, developing of the whole work community and interaction between people at work places. Correctly managed action to maintain working ability can improve the well-being of the individual, the working atmosphere and the productivity of work. )

Today – spa examples

Recreation spas:

Holiday Club Caribia, Turku, ILIS-industry partner, belongs to the biggest hotel and spa chain in Finland (www.holidayclubhotels.fi)

Today – spa examples

Rehabilitation spas:

Ruissalo spa in Turku, part of the private owned Sunborn Hotels, that has two spas: one for rehabilitation customers and the other for wellness and conference guests (www.sunbornhotels.com)

Today – spa examples

Wellness spas:

Hotel Haikko Manor Spa, treatments influenced by japanese spa traditions (Haikko Manor by the sea)

Today – spa examples

A combination of a recreation spa and a wellness spa (separate facilities):

Flamingo Spa Waterpark and Wellness (link)

Today – spa examples

Other types:• Traditional public saunas in the cities developing to small spas• Modern day spas• Saunas + hot tubs filled with sea / fresh water

Education

• One curricula related to spa management (Experience and Wellness Management)

• Short courses as part of hospitality curricula in health tourism

• Scarce continuing education in spa tourism or wellness

• Companies provide their own internal education / training

Research

Finnish Tourist Board (2005): Hyvinvointi- ja terveysmatkailun peruskartoitus (Study on Wellbeing and Health Tourism)

Suontausta,H.&Tyni, M. 2005): Wellness-matkailu – hyvinvointi matkailun tuotekehityksessä (Wellness tourism - well-being in service development)

Kangas, H. & Tuohino, A. (2007): Segmenting potential tourists in wellbeing sector in Eastern Finland

Some bachelor and master theses and shorter scientific articles.

ILIS – Customer research in Holiday Club Caribia, Turku: Which of the following options best describe your needs for using spa services during the past year? (1 = very important, 5 = no significance)

1. To spend time with family/frends (1.3)

2. To get mentally refreshed (1.7)

3. To pamper oneself (1.8)

4. To escape the presures of everyday life (2)

5. To experience something new (3.2)

6. To find peace of mind (3.3)

7. To enjoy the entertainment offered by the spa (3.5)

8. To improve physical condition (3.6)

9. To learn new things concerning health and well-being (3.9)

10.To improve appearance/beauty (4.0)

11.To get medical treatments (4.2)

Thank you!