SpaFinder Issues 5th Annual Spa Trends Report, "10 Spa Trends to Watch in 2008". Excerpted from December 4th newsletter from SpaFinder.

A Star (Therapist) Is Born - When all is said and done, a spa treatment is only as good as the therapist who provides it. Yet for years consumers have tended to be dazzled by spas' ever-more innovative design and image while joining spa management in largely viewing therapists as anonymous, interchangeable employees. Look for that to change as increasingly savvy spa-goers continue to gain an appreciation for - and seek out - those with great skills, knowledge and the caring spirit. Not unlike star hairstylists, these sought-after "gifted healers" will build followings, and becoming critical assets for the spa.