[ti:Spas Growing in Popularity in US] [by:www.51voa.com] [00:00.00]更多听力请访问51VOA.COM [00:01.28]Spas are becoming more popular in the United States. [00:06.74]A spa is a business where people go to improve their health and appearance by getting treatments, exercising or relaxing. [00:19.04]Spa activities include using saunas, getting massages and skincare and bathing. [00:28.76]Last year, Americans visited spas a record 190 million times. [00:36.01]And they spent about $18.3 billion dollars. [00:42.12]Those numbers come from the International Spa Association, or ISPA. [00:50.20]The industry group recently held its yearly event for the media. [00:56.76]Garrett Mersberger is the association's board chairman. [01:01.92]He spoke to the Associated Press about trends in the industry. [01:07.63]One trend: More American men have been going to spas. [01:13.59]"It used to always be a female-driven thing. [01:18.04]We're now seeing 50-50, if not swinging more toward the males," Mersberger said. [01:25.34]He said the trend started around 2017, [01:30.44]when the association reported that 49 percent of people going to spas were men, up from 29 percent in 2005. [01:43.56]"They're [men are] much more aware that it's not just a thing I go to get pampered. [01:49.37]It's an actual lifestyle choice with benefits to my body, to my wellness... [01:55.52]It's not just about going for relaxation," Mersberger said. [02:01.68]Another trend: Spas are using more technology. [02:07.28]Kohler Waters Spas, for example, recently launched a virtual reality headset meant to be used for guided meditation. [02:19.96]The experience offers the choice of music or the sound of a person's voice with pictures during manicures and pedicures. [02:30.56]The headsets show pictures of mountain lakes, beaches, waterfalls, clouds and the night sky. [02:40.16]Kohler is considering more virtual reality devices to go with massages and other treatments. [02:48.62]Charging stations at manicure and pedicure areas are also on the rise. [02:56.10]That way, people getting treatments can keep their electronic devices fully charged. [03:03.76]"Nothing stresses a Millennial out more than taking their phone away," said Linda McNees, the ISPA's president. [03:14.08]"The whole idea is to be able to relax, so it's really about thinking about customization. [03:21.20]What's going to make you comfortable?" [03:23.88]I'm John Russell. [03:25.84]更多听力请访问51VOA.COM