Trend: Watershed Wellness

Industry Takes a Leadership Role in the Water Crisis

As water scarcity becomes a growing concern worldwide due to climate change, population growth and pollution, the spa and wellness industry must rise up, both collectively and individually, to address the problem. Spas are intrinsically linked to water—the word spa is said to come from the Latin salus per aquam or “health through water.” However, as our planet becomes increasingly less healthy, and droughts and water shortages become more commonplace, it will become imperative for spas and wellness establishments to do more to help preserve, replenish and renew our water supplies.

Trend #5 from The Future of Wellness 2025 Trends report, “Watershed Wellness” takes a look at the issue of water scarcity and how the spa & wellness industry is responding. This is the biggest problem that nobody is talking about, affecting millions of people globally.  Across the world, demand for water is exceeding availability, and water resources are becoming increasingly scarce due to factors like climate change, population growth and pollution—globally, demand for water has more than doubled since 1960. 

The growth in international tourism has exacerbated water stress in many areas, and hotels—and in particular luxury hotels—are some of the biggest culprits, due to the prevalence of both pools and spas. Spas and wellness centers use an incredible amount of water: in treatments, in facilities, and in laundry operations. A single drench shower, for example, uses up to 40 liters of water per guest, which can add up to 11,000 liters of water daily—or more than four million liters (over ten million gallons) annually. That’s just one spa. 

READ MORE about how water scarcity is the biggest crisis no one’s talking about—and spas are in the spotlight. 

The Trend in the News

Oberoi plans to recycle 100% of its waste water by 2030–Times of India

As luxury hospitality operator Oberoi plans to open 50 new hotels by the end of this decade, they have also announced plans for a holistic sustainability framework that includes recycling 100% of its waste water by the end of the decade. 

Balancing Luxury with Sustainability: the Spa Industry’s Water Challenge–European Spa

With spa businesses under increasing pressure to introduce more sustainable water practices, European Spa asked water sustainability expert Steve Harding for advice on bringing about meaningful change.

Four ways the Hospitality Industry is Tackling Water Conservation –Wasserstrom

Beyond installing low-flow fixtures, the hospitality industry is employing sophisticated technology to optimize water consumption. This article explores innovative strategies to minimize water usage. 

Greece Hotel Pools Set to Switch to Seawater on Drought-hit Islands –AP News

Legislation was debated in the Greek parliament earlier this year to allow hotels to pump seawater into private pools in response to increasing droughts and strained water resources on many of the country’s most popular islands.