WHAT WE ARE

Worldwide Spa Review launched in May, 2004 as a consumer magazine capitalizing on the Web's ability to support special effects and searches. With departments for the various kinds of spa experience - day spas, resort spas, hotel spas, medical spas, cruise ships spas, destination spas, etc. -- we feature articles by some of the best writers in the business, vividly painting the experience of each spa. Our easy click format allows readers to access information about the spas and products they want when they want them.

We interview the foremost therapists, spa designers, dermatologists and physicians who are changing the nature of the spa world. Our coverage includes a Spotlight Section (examples include Australia, the Florida Keys and Singapore) and we will soon add advertorial pages. The Skinny, one of our most popular sections, lists the spa bargains, promotions and news that drive consumers to our site. Because our content is so rich, consumers connect to us through all sorts of search engine keywords, and our sweepstakes is a magnet for spa-lovers. Our articles have received awards from international tourism offices and our webzine has been cited in Conde Nast Traveler.

In August 2008 we added a new section to Worldwide Spa Review, Luxury Life, which features the exceptional experiences and products that make life wonderful. This section extends our offerings to readers who seek the most satisfying lifestyle with outstanding destinations, dining, clothing, home products, food and drink and much more.

OUR READERS

Mention in Worldwide Spa Review reaches an international readership, dominantly North Americans, but including people who live in Europe, the U.K., Australia/New Zealand and Asia. Their ages run from teens into the 80s and reach heavily into the lucrative baby boomer population.

According to the International Spa Association, in the U.S. and Canada, about one quarter of adult consumers (26% of Americans and 25% of Canadians) has visited a spa. These percentages translate into roughly 57 million U.S. adults (aged 18 and older) and 6.3 million Canadian adults. ISPA found that 31% of U.S. spa-goers are men, as are 29% of Canadian spa-goers. The average age is approximately 44. Nearly two-thirds (63% or 20.3 million) of U.S. spa-goers visited a spa while on an out-of-town, overnight trip in the past year and 3.9 million teenagers in the U.S. have visited a spa.

MISSION

Our mission is to provide an upscale magazine with the content of a major glossy print lifestyle publication, but to keep it online, where consumers are most likely to research spas. In our reviews we give the consumer the ambiance, philosophy and experience of treatments; ideally, a consumer visiting the spa would feel that it was not his or her first time.

LAUNCH DATE

May 15, 2004

July 1, 2008 – design update

LEADERSHIP

Working with writers around the world who specialize in health and beauty, in sports and active spas, in healing and design, Founders Lillian Africano and Marilyn Green have collectively more than 50 years writing and editing for magazines from New York to Travel and Leisure.

Marilyn Green, Editorial Director/Publisher, is a veteran writer and editor whose work has appeared in newspapers and magazines including Travel and Leisure, Islands, Echelon, British Heritage, Oceans, The New York Post, Trump World and the Louisville Courier-Journal over the past 25 years. A former professional dancer, she has been a spa consultant, and is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers as well as editor of the newsletter for the International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association. She has served as Senior Editor for Leisure Travel News, Managing Editor for Lloyds of London's cruise monthly and Features Editor for Travel Trade Magazine, besides publishing hundreds of freelance articles. She recently completed a training module on spas for travel agents for The Travel Institute (formerly ICTA).

Lillian Africano, Editor-in -Chief, is the author of 16 books, including three best-selling novels; co-author of The Doctor's Walking Book (Ballantine) and was editor of Conquering Stress (Pocket, paperback). Africano produced spa/fitness/beauty advertorials for New York Magazine for over 10 years). She has contributed articles to major newspapers and magazines, including New York, Reader's Digest, Harper's Bazaar, Ladies' Home Journal, Biography, Woman's Day, American Way, The New York Times, New York Daily News, and the New York Post. She was a weekly columnist for Woman's World for 17 years and served as Editor of Acupuncture News Digest (for physicians & dentists). She is Chair, Northeast Chapter of the Society of American Travel Writers, president of the International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association, a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors and the Authors Guild.

SPAS AND READERS COMMENT

"I think it is the best article on Cranwell that I have ever seen...thorough, accurate and well written. Also, the creative design is very enticing. Thank you for doing such a nice job."

- Norma Probst, Director of Media Relations

"I checked every page and I love it. Great content, loads very fast, superb design! Photography is great and colors and effects amazing on my Mac Panther. Keep it up!"

- Sheila and Tom McEntry, Yahoo users.

"This is the best article ever written about the spa. I wish other writers would take this kind of approach."

- Rick James, Owner, The Village Spa

"We'd like to be able to send copies to our sales consultants and our international distributors. It's certainly one of the best articles I've seen on the line!"

- Danik Wold, Director Marketing and Sales, Jane Iredale

"Wonderful site and magazine. Informative and fun."

- Wanda Banks, Earthlink user

"Very nice look, interesting articles, bookmarked as favorite,"

- Margery Stockwell, mac.com user

"As a professional Web designer, I can say your website ROCKS. I can't remember the last time I enjoyed web design and photo art this much. It seems you put lots of work in it, and it shows. Simply brilliant!"

- Dan Redd, Yahoo user

"Great selection on your site.

- Sharon Jeka, hotmail user

ADVERTISEMENTS

Please contact advertising@spareviewmag.com if you wish to advertise in Worldwide Spa Review.