The International Spa Association (ISPA) has released the 2014 edition of its ISPA US Spa Industry Study, spotlighting the highest number of spa visits recorded since ISPA began its industry tracking mission in 1999.

The ISPA Foundation commissioned PwC International Survey Unit to carry out the research, which provides an overview of the US spa industry's performance in 2013. The study’s release coincides with the association’s fifteenth anniversary.

The data shows the number of spa visits increased 2.5 per cent and average revenue per visit rose 2.5 per cent year-on-year. In 2012, the total number of spa visits was 160 million and in 2013 this figure had increased to 164 million. Overall revenue grew 5.1 per cent to US$14.7bn (€11.7bn, £9.1bn).

The associations’ inaugural industry study, commissioned in 1999, found that there were 1.5 spas for every 100,000 people living in the US. There were 6.4 spas for the same number of people at the end of 2013.

There has also been an increase in the number of people employed in the sector – now at its highest level since records began. Between May 2013 – when the total number of spa industry employees was 343,600 – and May 2014, there has been a 1.8 per cent rise to 349,900 staff.

“We are thrilled to report continued positive growth in the data representing the key metrics of the spa industry,” said Lynne McNees, president of ISPA. “We are looking forward to sharing this invaluable resource with our members within the industry to help them continue to grow their businesses.”