The thalasso and spa market - France

A spa is a space dedicated to well-being, offering a variety of body and relaxation treatments, such as massages, facials, hammams, saunas, Jacuzzis and other sensory rituals. These treatments generally use fresh or thermal water, but not necessarily seawater. The spa's main aim is relaxation, comfort and rejuvenation, with a non-medical approach. They can be found in urban settings, hotels or specialized centers. Thalassotherapy, on the other hand, relies exclusively on the use of marine resources: heated seawater, seaweed, marine mud and a marine climate. It is practiced only in seaside centers and is often part of a medically supervised therapeutic or preventive approach. Treatments include seawater hydromassage baths, seaweed wraps, marine jet showers and aquagym sessions in a seawater pool. Thalassotherapy is aimed at revitalization, physical recovery and the treatment of certain disorders. The global wellness market is experiencing sustained growth, driven by a growing awareness of the importance of self-care, mental health and prevention. By 2023, leading sectors such as personal care and beauty (1,211 billion USD),healthy eating (1,142 billion USD) andphysical activity (1,051 billion USD) will illustrate this dynamic. At the heart of this trend, spas and thalassotherapy services are establishing themselves as major pillars of well-being, combining relaxation, body care and natural therapeutic effects. The global spa market, heavily impacted by the pandemic in 2020 (USD 69.0 billion), has shown remarkable resilience, returning to its pre-crisis level of USD 111.0 billion in 2023. Projections are for continued growth to USD 156.0 billion in 2027, confirming the enduring attractiveness of this sector. At the same time, the body care services segment (NAF 9604Z), including thalassotherapy and spa treatments, is enjoying sustained growth: from €822.4 million in 2012 to an estimated €1,369 million in 2024, with a return to pre-COVID levels as early as 2022. In France, thalassotherapy is increasingly appealing, especially to young people (75% of 18-34 year-olds say they would be willing to undergo thalassotherapy), attracted by its benefits in the face of stress and anxiety. 78% of French people believe that seawater has a positive influence on their health (France Thalasso, 2022). Spas are also becoming an essential criterion in high-end hotels: according to a Coach Omnium survey, 80% of customers use spa facilities when they are available, and most of them are women. At the same time, treatment offers are diversifying. A thalassotherapy session (hydromassage baths, seaweed wraps, mud applications) costs an average of €48, while a full day with individual treatments reaches €135. On the spa side, massages and body treatments are around €60 per session, while more elaborate wellness rituals can cost up to €189.

Finally, France ranks 4ᵉ on the global spa market, with sales of 6.36 billion USD in 2023, behind the United States, China and Germany, and ahead of Japan. The steady rise in the number of establishments and employees in the sector confirms that wellness is no longer a passing trend, but a structural component of contemporary consumer habits.