Dayspa

JUL 2014

DAYSPA is the magazine of spa management. Spa owners and spa managers turn to DAYSPA for spa management trends, spa management tips and more.

Issue link: https://dayspamagazine.epubxp.com/i/329661

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 59 of 107

GLOBAL SPEAK 58 DAYSPA | JULY 2014 which makes fi nding qualifi ed therapists very challeng- ing. In the last fi ve years, spa-training academies have started to open in the large cities, offering six-month training programs. But as training isn't standardized, spas need to create defi ned protocols, taught via their own training, to supplement. The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts has opened its own spa academy, which trains therapists for an additional three months; during that time the established therapists work with internal staff until they're ready for clients. Indian spa professionals all agree that the biggest challenge facing the growth of their spa businesses con- cerns staffi ng. Lacking that formal licensing or recog- nized education programs, the fi eld of spa therapy isn't viewed by many Indian families as presenting a viable career for their young women, for whom they hope to arrange marriages. There are other cultural roadblocks: Many therapists will not perform cross-gender treatments. And, accord- ing to Christine Hays, vice-president of training for Six Senses Resorts & Spas, which operates one spa in In- dia, "Practitioners trained in ayurvedic treatments tend to be most comfortable performing just those specifi c treatments. They aren't trained in international massage styles, and so may be unable to meet the expectations of global travelers." Hays reports that the therapists most likely to see massage as a career choice are typically from Bhutan or Tibet, not India. Once therapists are recruited and trained, retention becomes the big challenge. "Spa managers need to be very hands-on, even sometimes performing treat- ments themselves, because staff can be unreliable in terms of attendance," says Sharma. This is partly due to the state of the country itself; therapists will likely live some distance from their work, and India's poor roads and unreliable infrastructure can make getting around diffi cult at times. In spite of the challenges, the future looks bright for the Indian spa industry. "There has been a boom in the day spa market in urban areas, particularly luxury day spas and foot spas in shopping malls, and I an- ticipate this to continue to grow as client expectation for advanced treatments and demand for refl exology, esthetics and weight loss continues to expand in In- dia," says Tricia Bannister, group spa director for Leela Palaces. "Also, ayurveda is still enjoying a renaissance, and more and more Indians are returning to this an- cient healing practice for day-to-day support in their wellness regimens." Six Senses' Hays concurs. "India has a bright future concerning spas and wellness tourism," she asserts. "The infl ux of international companies to the country and the growth that India is witnessing are giving way to day spas that will allow spa care to fi nally be a daily routine and not just a part of a vacation package." Whether as an opportunity for investment, or a per- sonal vacation or retreat for those with a wellness mind- set, India presents many opportunities. Notes Susie Ellis, chairman & CEO of the Global Spa & Wellness Summit, "India is very well positioned for a robust, fast-growing spa and wellness tourism sector. Because of its rich, cul- tural history and 'brand advantage' in wellness; its vast population; its growing economy; and its new demo- graphics of young people in a better-paying workforce, I would have to say the sky is the limit!" Lisa Starr (lstarr@wynnebusiness.com) is a business consultant for Wynne Business and a spa management trainer/educator. The Oberoi Udaivilas in Udaipur overlooks the serene Lake Pichola. G l o b a l S p e a k . i n d d 5 8 Global Speak.indd 58 6 / 3 / 1 4 1 1 : 3 8 A M 6/3/14 11:38 AM

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Dayspa - JUL 2014