Hydrothermal Initiative
This initiative was formed to increase transparency and awareness in the design, build and implementation of all elements of spas and wellness facilities involving thermal and wet treatments. We aim to improve the education of those working in these areas so they can best advise guests on the most beneficial way to use the features and to help therapists and specialists in other fields understand and effectively advise the use of these features to further benefit the health and wellness of their clients.
The Latest News and Resources
Initiative Leadership
Initiative Chair
Don Genders, Founder & CEO, Design for Leisure, United Kingdom
Don Genders is founder and CEO of Design for Leisure (DFL), creators of award-winning hydrothermal areas that merge the health benefits of ancient bathing practices with modern design, materials and technology. DFL has offices in the UK and the USA, where it is the exclusive supplier of KLAFS custom-built saunas. DFL has over 30 years of experience working with clients like Accor, Aman, Canyon Ranch, Faena, Fairmont, Four Seasons, Six Senses, and many more. Genders also chairs the Global Wellness Institute’s Hydrothermal Initiative, publishers of the must-have Guide to Hydrothermal Spa & Wellness Development Standards.
Vice Chair
Cassandra Cavanah, Founder, Cavanah Communications, United States
Cassandra Cavanah is a leading PR and marketing expert in the spa and wellness industry, with over 30 years of experience. As founder of Cavanah Communications, she works with brands to elevate their visibility and influence. She played a key role in launching Spafinder, an innovative wellness travel and gifting company, in Europe and worked on global PR initiatives for the Global Wellness Summit and Global Wellness Institute for more than a decade. Cassandra also authored the Guide to Hydrothermal Spa & Wellness Development Standards, an industry essential.
Objectives
This initiative aims to increase transparency and awareness in the design and implementation of all elements of spas and wellness facilities involving thermal and wet treatments. It is our aim to improve the education of those working in these areas so they can best advise guests on the most beneficial way to use the features and to help therapists and specialists in other fields understand and effectively advise the use of these features to further benefit the health and wellness of their clients. This branch of the industry integrates well with other Global Wellness initiatives, combining to ensure that what is designed and built to promote health and wellness is also constructed in a manner and with materials that benefit the health and wellness, not just of the users, but the planet and its precious resources.
Featured Reports and Resources
The Guide to Hydrothermal Spa & Wellness Development Standards
Created to provide design and building guidelines for hydrothermal areas (also known as “wet areas”) in spas and private residences. Hydrothermal bathing (including saunas, hamams, steam rooms, hydrotherapy pools, etc.), with its benefits of cleansing, detoxifying and improving the immune system, dates back thousands of years and is one of the most ancient spa practices.
DOWNLOAD REPORT
Initiative Members
Meet the renowned thought leaders in this field who are collaborating to educate and evolve wellness in this area of global importance.
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Resources
View the research, trends, whitepapers, infographics and more from this Initiative, as well as a curated list of third party resources.
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