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Each month economist and GWI partner Thierry Malleret identifies the global macroeconomic and geopolitical trends that matter most—and connects the dots for the wellness industries. Hear what he has to say about a must-watch “microeconomic” consumer trend: people rejecting “membership” pricing models in favor of “pay-as-you-go” everything. It’s transforming how TV and phone services are consumed. And how will well-funded start-ups like ClassPass impact the traditional gym industry?

The Global Wellness Institute (GWI) recently undertook the first research on the global thermal/mineral springs market—and just this week issued a dedicated report. And while nearly 27,000 hot springs businesses exist across 100-plus countries, the research reveals Asia and Europe dominate heavily. Consider: More than half of industry revenues come from China and Japan alone! Read on to see which nations are the hot springs leaders—and for a free download of the new “Thermal/Mineral Springs Economy Report.”

Twenty fascinating images from a book on the future of architecture…Like everything else, architecture is evolving at a furious pace, fueled by an acceleration of technology, material science and down-to-try-it attitude. A critical point: “The future of architecture isn’t about one trend. It’s about a hundred—if not a thousand—different things.” And in this new, great age of architectural experimentation, a key trend is innovating for human and planetary health: from efficient micro homes and hotel rooms to sandstone buildings grown from bacteria that could provide sustainable refugee housing to pools set in dirty, urban rivers that purify the water.

The GWI’s new “Ministry of Wellness” initiative, whose goal is to foster a global conversation about this new—and necessary—innovation in wellbeing leadership at the governmental level, is making forward progress. Read co-chair Renee Moorefield’s (PhD, CEO, Wisdom Works) impassioned article on why the time is now for wellness leaders at the national level, the new team members working on the initiative and how they’re crafting a framework outlining the functions and opportunities that could lie in a Ministry of Wellness role.

Get a primer on today’s ‘Mindful Millennial’. With a purchasing power valued at approximately $1.68 trillion, Millennials (those born from 1981-1997) come across an average of 3,000+ brand images a day. But the way they make decisions is based far more on their social network than on traditional branding activities – and they are seeking unique, authentic experiences that can make a difference both in their own lives and that of the greater social good.

Zeel, Soothe, Unwind: Digital Disrupters for Spas?

Economist Thierry Malleret takes a quick look at how technology is turning the entire business world “upside down.” One profound new example: Apple and Google are jumping into the car market. And new digital platforms are poised to radically disrupt the spa, wellness and healthcare industries. How about the successful new wave of apps that allow people to order mobile massage services/therapists anywhere? What does that mean for, say, hotel spas? How about new health tracker apps that can monitor blood sugar for diabetes patients 24/7? In general, if these transparent trackers can prove you’re following doctors’ orders/living healthy—should you get a rebate on your health insurance?