The UK recorded 45 million spa visits in 2023, up 20% from the previous year. Average spend reached £85 per visit, while online bookings accounted for 62% of reservations. Day spas made up 68% of all visits and gift voucher redemptions drove 22% of attendance.
Key Takeaways
- UK spa visitors totaled 45 million in 2023, up 20% from 2022.
- Average spend per spa visit was £85 in 2023, including treatments and F&B.
- Day spa visits accounted for 68% of total, or 30.6 million visits.
- The UK spa industry employs 105,000 people directly as of 2023.
- Therapists account for 55% of spa staff, totaling 57,750 roles in 2023.
- Average spa therapist salary is £28,500 annually, up 6% from 2022.
- The UK spa market reached a value of £5.2 billion in 2023, marking a 14.5% year-on-year growth driven by post-pandemic recovery.
- In 2022, the total economic contribution of the UK spa sector was estimated at £4.8 billion, including direct and indirect impacts.
- Spa revenue in the UK grew by 22% from 2021 to 2023, outpacing general tourism recovery rates.
- The UK boasts over 4,200 operational spas as of 2023, a 5% increase from 2022.
- England hosts 3,100 spas, representing 74% of the UK's total spa facilities in 2023.
- Scotland has 450 spas, with a density of 8.3 spas per 100,000 population in 2023.
- Massage treatments saw 18.5 million bookings, 41% of total in 2023.
- Facial treatments accounted for 25% of spa services, 11.25 million sessions.
- Body wraps and scrubs grew 28% in popularity, 4.5 million treatments.
In 2023, 45 million people visited UK spas, with day trips dominating as online bookings and spending surged.
Related reading
01 · Category
Consumer Spending and Visits22 stats
01
UK spa visitors totaled 45 million in 2023, up 20% from 2022.
02
Average spend per spa visit was £85 in 2023, including treatments and F&B.
03
Day spa visits accounted for 68% of total, or 30.6 million visits.
04
52% of UK adults visited a spa at least once in 2023.
05
Female consumers made 78% of spa visits, males 22% in 2023.
06
Repeat visitors comprised 65% of total spa footfall in 2023.
07
Average annual spend per spa-goer is £420 across multiple visits.
08
International tourists contributed 12 million spa visits, £1.02bn spend.
09
Peak visiting months saw 4.2 million visits in July-August 2023.
10
35-54 age group made 48% of all spa visits in 2023.
11
Online bookings represented 62% of spa reservations in 2023.
12
Gift voucher redemptions drove 22% of visits, £450m value.
13
London spa visits: 12 million, 27% national total.
14
Couples treatments booked 3.2 million times in 2023.
15
Under-35s visits up 25% to 9 million annually.
16
Corporate spa days: 1.5 million bookings, £150m spend.
17
Off-peak visits grew 30% with promotions.
18
Average group size per visit: 2.1 persons.
19
Loyalty program members: 8.5 million registered.
20
Winter visits steady at 10.5 million despite weather.
21
AB social grade highest spenders at £120/visit.
22
App-based check-ins: 45% of visits in 2023.
Interpretation
Consumer Spending and Visits Interpretation
The UK spa industry is flourishing, revealing a nation that is both stressed and strategic, as over half of adults sought sanctuary there last year, proving self-care is now a serious and social business.
02 · Category
Employment and Staffing23 stats
01
The UK spa industry employs 105,000 people directly as of 2023.
02
Therapists account for 55% of spa staff, totaling 57,750 roles in 2023.
03
Average spa therapist salary is £28,500 annually, up 6% from 2022.
04
Management positions in spas rose 10% to 8,200 roles in 2023.
05
Part-time spa staff comprise 42% of workforce, aiding flexibility.
06
Training investment per spa employee averaged £1,200 in 2023.
07
Staff turnover rate in UK spas is 18%, lower than hospitality average of 25%.
08
72% of spa therapists hold CIBTAC or equivalent qualifications in 2023.
09
Female staff dominate at 88% across all spa roles in 2023.
10
Recruitment challenges affected 65% of spas, with therapist shortages key.
11
Average spa team size is 25 full-time equivalents per facility.
12
Apprenticeships in spas grew 15% to 4,500 starts in 2023.
13
Overtime hours for spa staff averaged 4 hours weekly in peak seasons.
14
Spa staffing vacancies hit 12,000 roles mid-2023.
15
Reception and admin roles: 15,000 staff, 14% of total.
16
Beauty therapists: 22,000 employed, specialized in facials.
17
Managers earn average £42,000, with bonuses 10%.
18
28% of staff trained in mental health first aid.
19
Zero-hour contracts used by 15% of spas for flexibility.
20
Diversity: 12% BAME staff in spas, up 3% YoY.
21
Average training hours per employee: 45 annually.
22
Wellness coaches: 5,200 roles emerging trend.
23
Sick days averaged 4.2 per staff member yearly.
Interpretation
Employment and Staffing Interpretation
While the UK spa industry’s 105,000-strong workforce is a well-oiled machine that's nearly 90% female and increasingly qualified, it's simultaneously contorting itself with part-time flexibility, overtime, and a persistent shortage of 12,000 therapists, all while trying to massage its own 18% turnover rate.
03 · Category
Market Size and Growth20 stats
01
The UK spa market reached a value of £5.2 billion in 2023, marking a 14.5% year-on-year growth driven by post-pandemic recovery.
02
In 2022, the total economic contribution of the UK spa sector was estimated at £4.8 billion, including direct and indirect impacts.
03
Spa revenue in the UK grew by 22% from 2021 to 2023, outpacing general tourism recovery rates.
04
The luxury spa segment accounted for 28% of the total UK spa market value at £1.46 billion in 2023.
05
UK day spa revenues hit £2.1 billion in 2023, comprising 40% of the overall spa market.
06
Hotel spa revenues contributed £1.9 billion to the UK market in 2023, up 18% from pre-COVID levels.
07
The wellness spa sub-sector grew to £850 million in 2023, fueled by mental health-focused offerings.
08
Overall UK spa industry GDP contribution stood at 0.2% of national GDP in 2023, equating to £5.2bn.
09
Spa market expansion projected at CAGR of 7.2% from 2023-2028, reaching £8.1 billion by 2028.
10
Post-2023, UK spa exports (international visitors) generated £650 million in revenue.
11
The UK spa market is forecasted to grow at 8.1% CAGR to £7.9 billion by 2027.
12
Direct spa employment supports 120,000 jobs including supply chain in 2023.
13
Wellness tourism within spas generated £2.3 billion in 2023.
14
Boutique spas valued at £750 million, 14% of market share.
15
Residential spa retreats revenue hit £450 million in 2023.
16
Spa product retail sales within facilities: £1.1 billion annually.
17
Midlands region spas contribute £650 million to regional economy.
18
South East England dominates with 28% of national spa revenues.
19
Northwest spas grew revenues 16% to £520 million in 2023.
20
Spa industry tax contributions totaled £1.2 billion in VAT and payroll.
Interpretation
Market Size and Growth Interpretation
Apparently, being collectively stressed and overworked is now a £5.2 billion industry with excellent job creation, proving that Britain's favourite new export is a full-blown, tax-paying, GDP-contributing nervous breakdown.
More related reading
04 · Category
Number of Spas and Facilities25 stats
01
The UK boasts over 4,200 operational spas as of 2023, a 5% increase from 2022.
02
England hosts 3,100 spas, representing 74% of the UK's total spa facilities in 2023.
03
Scotland has 450 spas, with a density of 8.3 spas per 100,000 population in 2023.
04
Wales operates 220 spas, focusing on coastal and rural locations as of end-2023.
05
Northern Ireland has 180 spas, growing 12% since 2020 due to new builds.
06
London alone has 650 spas, 15% of national total, with 40 new openings in 2023.
07
There are 1,800 day spas across the UK, up 8% from 2022 figures.
08
Hotel-integrated spas number 1,200, hosting 60% of all spa visits in 2023.
09
Health club spas total 350 facilities, blending fitness and relaxation services.
10
New spa openings reached 210 in 2023, highest since 2019.
11
Closures limited to 45 spas in 2023, yielding net +165 facilities.
12
Average spa facility size is 1,200 sqm, with luxury ones averaging 3,500 sqm.
13
65% of UK spas are independently owned, 35% chain-affiliated in 2023.
14
Urban spas number 2,100 vs 2,100 rural/coastal in balanced 50-50 split.
15
Scotland's spa facilities total 480 including 30 new in 2023.
16
Wales spa count reached 250 with focus on eco-spas.
17
NI spas expanded to 200, emphasizing thermal experiences.
18
Cotswolds area has 180 spas, highest rural concentration.
19
Manchester metro has 120 spas serving urban wellness demand.
20
Edinburgh hosts 85 spas, blending historic and modern.
21
Medical spas number 250, integrating health services.
22
Mobile spa services operate from 400 bases nationwide.
23
Thermal spas total 75, with natural spring focus.
24
Franchise spas grew to 320 outlets in 2023.
25
Yorkshire spas number 320, coastal ones prominent.
Interpretation
Number of Spas and Facilities Interpretation
The UK’s spa industry, much like a carefully balanced hot stone treatment, is strategically expanding with a firm focus on both urban indulgence and rural escape, showing that Britons are increasingly committed to finding their zen, whether it’s in a city-centre hotel or a coastal eco-retreat.
05 · Category
Treatments, Trends, and Innovations20 stats
01
Massage treatments saw 18.5 million bookings, 41% of total in 2023.
02
Facial treatments accounted for 25% of spa services, 11.25 million sessions.
03
Body wraps and scrubs grew 28% in popularity, 4.5 million treatments.
04
Hydrotherapy pools used in 32% of visits, enhancing relaxation focus.
05
Wellness rituals like sound baths rose 45%, now 1.2 million sessions.
06
CBD-infused treatments offered in 1,500 spas, 15% market penetration.
07
Men's grooming spas increased 20% to 850 facilities with tailored services.
08
Sustainable/organic product use in 78% of spas, up from 60% in 2021.
09
Tech integrations like AI personalization in 420 luxury spas.
10
Sleep-focused treatments boomed, 2.8 million sessions amid stress trends.
11
Sauna and steam room usage: 14 million sessions.
12
Cryotherapy chambers in 280 spas, 850k sessions.
13
Ayurveda treatments up 35% to 750k sessions.
14
IV drip therapies in 650 med-spas, popular post-gym.
15
Forest bathing experiences offered at 420 rural spas.
16
Vegan treatment menus in 92% of facilities.
17
VR relaxation pods in 150 high-end spas.
18
Mindfulness meditation classes: 2.1 million attendees.
19
Biohacking services like red light therapy in 500 spas.
20
Post-treatment retail conversion rate: 38% of clients.
Interpretation
Treatments, Trends, and Innovations Interpretation
We’ve officially entered the era where the British public is so collectively frazzled that we now prescribe ourselves more massages than GP appointments, pair them with a side of high-tech zen and an eco-conscious serum, and then dutifully buy the entire experience again in a bottle on the way out.
Reference
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APA
Leah Kessler. (2026, February 13). Uk Spa Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/uk-spa-industry-statistics
MLA
Leah Kessler. "Uk Spa Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/uk-spa-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Leah Kessler. 2026. "Uk Spa Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/uk-spa-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
89 datasets cited across this report