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Charles Davidson, co-founder and Chief Executive of Peninsula Hot Springs on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula, is currently heading the Global Wellness Institute's Hot Springs Initiative.

Involving a global network of hot springs owners, operators, academics and industry participants dedicated to exploring the diverse potential of geothermal waters to contribute to the health and wellbeing of visitors as well as the economies and societies in which they are located, the Hot Springs Initiative aims to connect communities who have geothermal water and provide opportunities to meet, share thoughts and collectively grow the industry while generating consumer and political awareness of this unique natural and sustainable resource found in every country.

The Fingal-based Peninsula Hot Springs has been a major success since its opening in 2005, attracting more than 400,000 visitors a year. A $13 million expansion including the addition of nine new pools, a ‘fire and ice experience’ and new cafe that opened in the middle of 2018, is expected to raise the annual number of visitors to 750,000.

As well as his roles with Peninsula Hot Springs and the GWI, Davidson is Chair of the Victorian Tourism Industry Council (VTIC); a member of the Victorian Tourism Ministerial Advisory Committee; a founding member and past vice-president of the Australasian Wellness Association (ASWell).

His passion for hot springs started when he entered the waters at Kusatsu Onsen in Japan in 1992 and, since then, he has travelled to more than 40 countries on hot springs research missions in a search to find how cultures of the world share the gift of thermal waters for health, wellbeing and community creation.

What he learns is translated into transformative experiences at Peninsula Hot Springs, and at other hot springs he has designed, to help visitors relax in nature and with each other to connect with the wellness of their being.

For more information on the Global Wellness Institute's Hot Springs Initiative go to globalwellnessinstitute.org/initiatives/hot-springs-initiative/

Images Charles Davidson (top) and pools at Peninsula Hot Springs (below).

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3rd July 2019 - Program announced for 13th Global Wellness Summit in Hong Kong

21st June 2019 - Global Wellness Institute names top five international hot springs trends

17th October 2018 - Leaders and emerging entrepreneurs in wellness recognised at 2018 Global Wellness Summit

2nd August 2018 - Peninsula Hot Springs unveils new Bath House Amphitheatre

31st May 2018 - Peninsula Hot Springs backs inaugural World Bathing Day

3rd August 2017 - Tony de Leede appointed to Global Wellness Summit Advisory Board

20th March 2017 - Peninsula Hot Springs and Mentis Assist partner to boost mental health and wellness

3rd February 2017 - Peninsula Hot Springs opens clay based wellness experience

20th October 2016 - Mornington Peninsula hot springs to be exploited for wellness tourism

10th June 2016 - Fitness industry says ‘yes’ to Global Wellness Day

22nd January 2016 - Peninsula Hot Springs plans pools and accommodation expansion

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