Integrative medicine expert, professor Marc Cohen has been appointed as the medical director of Australian hot springs operator Peninsula Hot Springs (PHS), based in Victoria.

Cohen – who has a background as a medical doctor and a professor of health sciences and complementary medicine – has a long history with the PHS team having collaborated closely with PHS chair, founder and creative director Charles Davidson for more than 20 years.

Cohen told Spa Business that his new post sees him join the PHS executive team and involves helping to direct the medical, research, science and educational activities across the group.

He explained that the new position will involve travelling the globe to explore and investigate unique wellness locations and offerings. In the coming months, he’ll venture to hot spring locations in Israel, Italy, France and New Zealand.

“I’ll meet with hot springs owners and operators, academics, architects and geothermal engineers around the world and explore how we can co-create a culture of wellness that will spread peace, love and understanding across the globe,” Cohen says.

“I’m very excited to be given this opportunity and feel this role is a natural extension of my involvement with PHS over the past two decades. It builds on my medical and academic background and my deep passion for hot springs and wellness.

“I expect the hot springs sector to continue to grow at a rapid rate and see the PHS Group playing a key role in co-creating a culture of wellness that spans the globe."

In other news, PHS will soon unveil Metung Hot Springs, a brand new geothermal bathing oasis in the East Gippsland lakeside town of Metung, in southern Australia.

The operator has partnered with local tourism operators Adrian and Rachel Bromage to realise the new destination overlooking the Gippsland Lakes.

The main attraction will be thermal bathing pools fed by a geothermal bore. Additional facilities will include a glamping village, soaking barrels, a sauna, plunge pools, dome day lounges and walking trails.

According to Cohen, the PHS Group has multiple projects underway including a new AUS$10m (€6.7m, US$6.4m, £5.9m) coastal location in Victoria named Phillip Island Hot Springs.

The destination is due to open in mid-2023 and it’s rumoured it will be home to more than 45 bathing pools of varying sizes alongside a comprehensive spa.