The International Spa Association (ISPA) has revealed key preliminary findings from its 2007 Global Consumer Report and its 2007 Spa Industry Study.

According to the Consumer Report, ISPA estimates that there are nearly 100 million active spa-goers worldwide. The most popular treatments include facials, saunas and steambaths and full-body massages.

The consumer report research was drawn from 12 countries including Japan, Italy, Thailand, Spain, the UK and the US. According to the Spa Industry Study, as of July this year, there were 14,600 spas in the US, representing a 6 per cent growth from August 2006, when there were 13,800. Day spas remain the most prevalent spa type.

In 2006, the US spa industry generated an estimated US$9.4bn (6.89bn euro, £4.65bn) in revenue, expanding at what ISPA chair Jim Root described as a “healthy, steady pace”.

The complete studies will be released at the 2007 ISPA Conference & Expo, on 12-15 November in Florida, US.