New York, NY � July 2002 � Spa Finder Magazine, the leading spa travel and lifestyle publication, announced that its 2002 Spring Directory had a newsstand sell-through rate of 48 percent � up from 33 percent a year ago. The magazine�s performance flies in the face of a pronounced downward trend throughout the magazine industry � with the average sell-through rate hovering at around 30 percent � and particularly among travel publications, many of which have endured significant drop-offs in sell-through efficiency and sale of ad pages post-9/11.

The magazine�s recent success reflects the growing popularity of spa-going as a vacation and healthy leisure activity. Once the exclusive province of a handful of wealthy women looking to shed a few pounds, spas have entered the mainstream � with 95 million visits made to U.S. spas annually¹. During a recent Gallup Poll, one-third of respondents said access to a spa is important in making their travel plans, and it is estimated that during the past three years 12.8 percent of all U.S. adults have visited a day spa².

Although the spa industry has enjoyed steady, uninterrupted long-term growth � with the number of spas increasing 21 percent a year in the past five years³ � Spa Finder executives say the magazine�s recent sales boon may well anticipate a spike in spa travel and day spa participation in the coming months.

�Spa Finder Magazine sales are a good barometer for the spa industry as a whole,� said Spa Finder Magazine Editor-in-Chief Malcolm Abrams. �The Spring Directory�s cover story, �Renew Your Spirit,� obviously struck a chord with readers. I think we�ll see even more Americans visiting spas in the next year as they embark on quests for health, balance and serenity.�

The magazine�s circulation has expanded during the past year in bookstores (including Barnes & Noble), airport terminals, retail establishments and newsstands across the U.S. and Canada. In response to its growing popularity, Spa Finder recently increased its publication schedule from quarterly to bi-monthly, including two directory editions featuring the most complete listings of destination and resort spas, spas with medical programs, day spas, and spas for meetings and conferences.

�Spas are truly schools for living,� adds Abrams. �There�s something for everyone � from hiking and rock climbing to the hot new exercise regimen, NIA, which combines dance, martial arts, tai chi and yoga, to meditation and nutrition classes.�

�In today�s stressful world, spas have a real role to play. And as more people discover all that spas have to offer, Spa Finder Magazine (www.spafinder.com) will continue to appeal to more and more readers.�

¹International Spa Assn. and PricewaterhouseCoopers study 2/15/01
²US Day Spa Association report
³ABC News.com, October 4th, 2001

About Spa Finder Magazine
Spa Finder Magazine has been the leading publication devoted to spa travel and healthy living for over 15 years. The magazine is published six times a year, including two issues featuring a comprehensive �Worldwide Directory of Spas,� the definitive source of information on destination and resort spas worldwide. Spa Finder Magazine is published by New York-based Spa Finder, Inc., the world�s most recognized spa information/publishing, marketing, gift certificate and travel reservation services company.