The UAE spa sector is booming with revenues of US $411 million forecast for 2015, while a Global Wellness Institute (GWI) report indicated that the UAE is leading spa tourism in the Middle East and North Africa.

Reportedly visitor numbers are set to double by 2017, a report by Euromonitor International for the The Leisure Show Dubai 2015 unearthed a few interesting facts.

GWI has identified that the MENA region is the second fastest-growing market in the world for spas after Sub-Saharan Africa.

Susie Ellis, chairman and CEO of GWI said: “The Global Wellness Institute estimates that the UAE will top spa growth, more than doubling wellness-focused trips from 2012-2017, with 993,352 trips added and 17.9% annual growth.”

Other growth markets include Morocco, (set to add 825,703 visits and with 14.7% annual growth) Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Algeria, will witness double-digit growth in 2017.

Meanwhile, GWI forecast spa revenues in the UAE will reach US $495 million by 2019.

“Dubai is over-saturated with luxury five-star resorts and is home to the only seven-star hotel in the world,” said Christine Davidson, group event director, of the dmg events hospitality portfolio. “Within these properties a unique range of extravagant spa treatments have emerged including a 24-carat-gold facial at the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray.”

“This year, world-class pool and spa suppliers will be in Dubai for the 2nd annual ‘The Leisure Show’ and the Middle East Pool and Spa Awards 2015 in September. A new addition to The Leisure Show is ‘The Hub’, featuring pool and spa workshops that will focus on the growth of sports and fitness facilities in hotels by Dubai Sports Council.”