The total revenues generated by the South African health and beauty spa industry is estimated to have reached R1.54bn (US$119m, €107m, £93m) during 2016.

According to figures from the Health and Beauty Spa Industry in South Africa 2017, there are now more than 700 spa facilities in the country, employing more than 5,500 people.

The report also shows that many spas are linked to hotels and resorts and that more than 80 per cent of spas are locally-owned.

Industry growth rates for 2015 and 2016, however, were lower than predicted by the South African Spa Benchmark Report undertaken in 2014.

This, according to the report, was in part due to “general adverse economic conditions as well as a drop in government spending on conferences and fewer foreign tourists following government’s introduction of stricter visa requirements”.

“Fitch Ratings and Standard & Poor’s (S&P) both downgraded South Africa’s foreign currency debt to non-investment grade (BB+), also termed junk status, which could hamper the industry in 2017,” the report states.

The report adds that the South African spa sector has also created its own trends.

“African safari spas have become popular,” the report reveals. “As have mobile spas that bring a spa experience to corporate events or to bedridden clients in the home.”

To access the full Health and Beauty Spa Industry in South Africa 2017 report, click here

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