Seminar paper from the year 2002 in the subject Tourism - Hotel Industry / Catering, grade: B-, Cesar Ritz Colleges (Hotel Management School), language: English, abstract: IntroductionSpas are not a very new invention. They go back, like many other things, to the ancient Romans who invented spas. Back then it was not only a place where people took advantage of the healthy mineral water but where they could find some rest, socialize, do business, refresh their bodies as well as their minds. This idea was then lost for several hundred years and came back in the medieval ages, for instance in Carlsbad, Europe, where the famous bath industry began around the year 1300. But unlike the Romans there were only bathing and drinking cures. It was not until 1800 when the first bathing and leisure facilities were built. Only from then on did the old Roman concept of a spa really come back in people`s mind. Today the market, especially in the USA, is huge and the supply of different spa resorts is numerous (it is predicted that the spa industry will double in size every four years) ( Sabene, 2001). Considering this and the increasing number of spas, there is the question: What features in terms of Food, Fitness and Fun must a spa provide in order to stay competitive in the changing resort spa market in the USA? Offers can be almost endless, from beauty and skin care services, massages, body wraps, aquatic and other therapies or additional fitness programs to simple bathing pleasures in differently designed springs of varying temperatures. What is becoming more popular nowadays is the health-conscious eating habits of guests. This can be integrated into programs as for example in Palms Springs, USA, where there are nurses employed who guide the guests individually in terms of nutrition (Madley, 1999). Another example is the Aspen Club & Spa in Aspen, USA, that offers special products with vitamins, herbs and other organic supplements also guided by nurses and even doctors (Madley, 1999). The majority of guests are electing the spa they want to visit according to the services and facilities it offers (Madley, 1999) . So it is obvious that a spa resort that wants to attract and keep guests has to think about its programs to be outstanding. [...]
