 |  | JEFF BIRKBY TO FACILITATE DEVELOPMENT OF MAHC RECOMMENDATIONS
The Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) represents a collaboration among local, state, and federal public health officials, environmental health practitioners, and representatives of the aquatics sector to optimize prevention of illness and injury associated with public aquatic venues. The MAHC is an open access, science- and best practices-based model code that aims to protect public health through design, construction, operation, and maintenance.
The MAHC is a voluntary code that is updated every three years. Recommended changes to each update are extensively reviewed before being adopted. Once published, the MAHC may be adopted by states to cover a myriad of aquatic health and safety issues. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will be releasing the 4th edition of the MAHC by the end of 2022.
The MAHC has historically provided little specific recommendations pertaining to hot springs resorts. To help remedy this omission, the Hot Springs Association has adopted as one of its objectives a task to amend the MAHC to “specifically acknowledge and address geothermal mineral waters, their unique benefits and how they should be managed for public use and benefit.”
On September 1, Birkby assumed the role of point person for developing detailed recommendations to the MAHC Committee for the 5th Edition revisions. He has extensive knowledge of the geothermal industry and hot springs operations. His past experience includes advising Montana state energy officials and private landowners on a variety of geothermal topics. You can learn more about Birkby's experience at BirkbyConsulting.com, which will be live later this week.
|  | WELLNESS PROGRAM SURVEY RESULTS
13 facilities participated in the recent survey on Water and Wellness: Assessing Existing Services at Hot Springs Properties. Here are a few takeaways. You can review the link below for the full survey results.
- Hospitals/patients and long Covid patients were not a priority demographic over wellness seekers, couples, older adults, solo travelers and families/friends. However the majority of respondents either currently work with or have an interest in working with hospitals/clinics.
- The top age group catered to is 35-49, with almost half of respondents in this category.
- 7 respondents said women and men join in wellness activities equally, while 5 noted women join in more than men.
- The top five water wellness services offered onsite include (1) hot/cold contrast bathing, (2) sunrise/sunset soaks, and (3, 4, & 5) aqua yoga, steam bathing and water aerobics.
- The top 4 reasons guests utilized water-based services include (1) relaxation/reduce stress, (2) improve physical health, and (3 & 4) improve mental/emotional health & feel energized/renewed.
- 11 of 13 respondents have seen an increase in water-based activities since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
- 10 of 13 properties claim to be easily accessible.
- 9 of the 13 properties have onsite foot baths and/or Kneipp walking areas.
- The top five non-water-based wellness services include (1) massage, (2) yoga, (3) sauna, (4 & 5) meditation & hiking.
- 10 of the properties surveyed incorporate food into the experiences offered. The programs include nutritional coaching (4 properties), cooking lessons (4), farm-to-table meals (3), edible gardens (2), and foraging for wild vegetables (1).
Member only access | LIFEGUARD STAFFING INITIATIVES AT HOT SPRINGS FACILITIES
A nationwide shortage of lifeguards, compounded by the Covid-19 pandemic, has prompted many communities to cut back on pool hours or close doors altogether. The American Lifeguard Association estimated that roughly one-third of the 309,000 public pools in the United States were closed this summer due to staffing shortages and has called this situation a "crisis."
Please take a few minutes and complete this 4 question survey by September 20. With your assistance, we will have a better understanding of the impact this issue has on the hot springs industry.
TAKE THE SURVEY
| RECENTLY ADDED
New resources were recently added to the reference and document libraries. Check out the links with information on the health benefits of hydrotherapy and hot springs use as well as a user's guide for hot springs bathers.
Member only access |  | SAVE THE DATE: SEPTEMBER 20TH
Mastermind Discussion: Wellness Programs with Co-Host Jesse Hensle, Director of Marketing and Sales at The Springs Resort & Spa
During this Zoom call we will discuss how current wellness programs are serving you, how your patrons are responding and how to start including new or first time programs at your facilities.
Highlights include:
Wellness Programs Impacts on Business
• Have including these wellness programs allowed you to raise your prices?
• Has it shifted the clientele and has that been a positive, negative or neutral shift?
• New revenue streams
• The trickle affect of wellness in leadership and quality of employees
• Impact on employee workload
• How to take the step to offering something new
Wellness and Hot Springs in Relation to Health Care
• Benefits of working with a medical director to create guided experiences
The Greater Impact of Including Additional Wellness Programs
• Improving your communities
• The impact of making wellness accessible
Soakember
• The importance and benefits of reaching a greater audience
September 20th
11:00 a.m. MST
REGISTER
|  | SAVE THE DATE
Professional Field Trip to New Zealand and Australia
Group tour for industry professionals only
tentative dates: June 22-30, 2023
Highlights include:
Space will be limited. Please contact Executive Director, Vicky Nash, at vicky@hotspringsassociation.com if you are interested in participating. |  | WORLD WELLNESS WEEKEND
Spa Business reports that this year there will be a record breaking 140 countries to celebrate World Wellness Weekend. Read the full article here.
World Wellness Weekend (WWW) encourages venues, groups, associations, federations, visitors bureaus and city officials to organize free, fun and creative wellness activities on the 3rd weekend of September. This year the events will take place on September 16-18, 2022.
How to Participate:
- Make sure to organize a fun experiential activity where your team works to help guests celebrate wellness and remind them why your business is the place to be.
- Participants will want to join, not just because it is free, but because it is original & meaningful.
- Share it on your social media accounts with your hashtag and #worldwellnessweekend #wellnessforall #wellnessbyall #wellnessbeyondborders
|  |
SOAKEMBER, NOVEMBER 12, 2022
This year, Soakember celebrates Local Hot Spring Experiences That Amplify The Vitality Of All.
We look forward to your participation in this global event honoring the history of geothermal water-based healing and wellness practices. Participation is simple:
1.Share photos from your hot spring destination using #soakember.
2.Submit a video, up to 5-minutes in length, introducing your destination. Please feature an experience offered that amplifies the vitality of all.
Your photos and video will be reshared through Soakember's social media channels.
If you have not already, please follow Soakember's Instagram page: Soakember.com/get-involved/
Registration is open at Soakember.com/get-involved/
Registered participants will be included in all Soakember collateral and marketing communications leading up to the event.
|  | IN THE NEWS
FEATURED MEMBERS
The Travel - These Colorado Hot Springs Are Waiting To Soothe Your Stresses
Glenwood Hot Springs Resort, Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort, Iron Mountain Hot Springs, Ouray Hot Springs, Avalanche Ranch Hot Springs
Durango Hot Springs Resort & Spa
Glenwood Hot Springs Resort
Bozeman Hot Springs, Quinn's Hot Springs Resort
Glenwood Hot Springs Resort, Old Town Hot Springs, Ouray Hot Springs
Glenwood Hot Springs Resort
Castle Hot Springs
Castle Hot Springs
SPA AND WELLNESS
Irish marine spa and skincare brand Voya is offering a new Cancer Wellness Training Program as part of its in-house spa Training Academy offering.
BUSINESS AND SUSTAINABILITY
A look at how travel brands are bringing accessibility to the forefront.
BC SoftWear has recently partnered with waste management organization, First Mile, as well as ethical textiles recycling business, Reskinned, to give its hotel and spa partners a more sustainable option.
Highlights efforts being made to bring accessibility for travelers with disabilities to a resort in the Maldives, including a certification with Inclucare
TRENDS
Survey reveals that wellness-focused trips are the only category to see a year-on-year increase in popularity 2021 vs 2022 and that environmentally-friendly philosophies and practices and the preservation of natural and cultural heritage are top-of-mind concerns.
European's perception of health rates below North America, Latin America, Middle East and Africa
SCIENCE
Research being conducted on whether microbes found in the geothermal water could offer new avenues for developing antibiotics, antifungal agents or antivirals.
MARKETING
"Businesses are using our tools to build more brand love and get closer to their customers, which is critical at a time when traveler loyalty is up for grabs," Coulter said. "Travel brands can use AR filters to help travelers envision themselves in a new destination, at a resort, or in a premium airline cabin, tapping into travelers' wanderlust."
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