Dayspa

APR 2014

DAYSPA is the magazine of spa management. Spa owners and spa managers turn to DAYSPA for spa management trends, spa management tips and more.

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84 DAYSPA | APRIL 2014 GLOBAL SPEAK Traditional Value The spas of Germany, Austria and Switzerland merge centuries-old discoveries and attitudes with modern-day splendor. By Lisa Starr This month, we take a look at an area of the world that's rich with wellness-related philosophy and re- sources. Europe's Germany, Austria and Switzerland all offer abundant geothermal spas and resorts, as well as a strong sauna culture that's ingrained in everyday life. And although massages and facials are growing in popularity in this region, such American treatment staples still play a secondary role in these countries' concept of spa. Germany is the most populated country in Europe today, with 81 million citizens, and the fi fth largest economy in the world based on purchasing power par- ity (PPP). In Germany, a Kur (literally, "cure"), or resort therapy, is covered by health insurance, and taking time off work to receive such therapy is considered medi- cal leave, not a holiday. The more than 900 spa and thermal spring communities in Germany are nationally accredited spa resorts—the healing powers of the wa- ter in these locations have been scientifi cally proven, and the waters at each resort has unique healing ca- pabilities, depending on its chemical composition. The German Spa Association hosts a detailed website (for English, go to germany.travel/en/germany/about-us/ partners/associations/deutscher-heilbaederverband- ev.html) with an interactive map, guiding health seek- ers to the appropriate spa experience. Austria is a much smaller country than Germany, with a population of eight million. Tourism is a big in- dustry here. The offi cial language is German and many of Austria's customs pertaining to spas and health are shared with its neighbors. Across the border, Switzer- land is also home to eight million people, although the land mass is half the size of Austria's. Switzerland has three offi cial languages—German, French and Italian— which can typically be heard spoken nearest the borders of their respective countries. Swiss spa resorts like to position themselves as the most advanced in terms of technology and facility design, and many have a luxury Visitors enjoy a dip in the indoor hot springs pool at Toskanaworld in Bad Sulza, Germany. G l o b a l S p e a k 4 1 4 . i n d d 8 4 Global Speak 414.indd 84 3 / 7 / 1 4 9 : 4 7 A M 3/7/14 9:47 AM

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