spa and wellness

	NEWS
	Spa and Wellness Beyond 2008 The spa and wellness industry is set to become the next big thing in the health and medical sector. Staying fit and healthy is an extension of everyone’s ardent desire to remain younger and to maintain longevity through a fit form, keeping a balance between good physical condition and inner being. In response to the growing popularity of this industry, particularly here in the region, The Spa and Wellness Association Singapore could be the leading industry in Asia to provide first-hand information on spa, medical and wellness establishments and starting not just spa and beauty but healthcare and spa business. This term, we are pleased to update on the following exciting news related to the industry: Recently, the Singapore government announced that they will invest a total of more than S$360 million to prepare the workforce to meet a project spike in manpower demand, driven by new tourism investment, including the two integrated resorts in Singapore The Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World at Sentosa. (update courtesy of Singapore Tourism Board). Singapore’s booming tourism growth, coupled with increasing affluence of locals, had fueled sterling growth of the local spa sector. This positive outlook is shared by spa operators whom estimate that the industry will grow at an annual rate of between 11%-25% in the short to medium term. Growth will be driven both by the expected increase of up-market tourists and the increasing number of local spa goers. Affluence levels and a bias toward better health are combining to build the mass appeal of spa treatments as a way to preserve health and appearance. A strong public-private sector relationship provides the strong foundation for the sector’s growth, where regulators such as the Singapore Police Force (SPF), Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and the Workforce Development Agency (WDA) work in tandem with local industry led associations such as the Spa Association Singapore and Spa & Wellness Association of Singapore (SWAS) to raise professionalism of operators and therapists. (extracted from WDA write-up) “Total Beauty & Wellness” Business For Spas – A Paradigm Shift The often accepted traditional concept of Spas seems ready for a radical make-over. New entrants to the market have changed the skin-care and massage concept that have long defined spas these past 20 years. They are now taking the world by storm and transforming long established beliefs about the global beauty business. Indeed, the last ten years have seen a worldwide emergence of new types of beauty businesses, services, procedures and technologies together with spa buzzwords all in the name of maximizing customer satisfaction by catering to individual consumer profiles. As the spa sector develops, further variations on the spa concept, both in terms of facility type, and treatments offered will emerge. We see this evolution taking place in the “ medical spas, medispa and medspa ” markets. Increasingly, we are seeing a merger of the Spa Concept with that of the provision and practice of Aesthetic Medicine; Non-Invasive Cosmetic Treatments; Wellness and Fitness Regimens and Total Beauty Regimens. It is now not uncommon to find, the inclusion of beauty; dermatology; hospital based clinics and weight loss centres in medspas, spas in hospitals, dental practices, and resort medical spas. The democratization of medical aesthetics has fuelled the strong growth in Med Spas for aesthetic laser treatments and physician skincare brands. According to US medical Spa Managers, "ordinary" people are increasingly buying aesthetic treatments and services. Med spas are seeing a wider range of new clients, not bound by gender, ethnicity or age. More men, different ethnic groups apart from the predominantly white consumer and younger consumers have begun to demonstrate that they are a growing force to reckon with. Although the older, affluent woman remains the most important medical-cosmetic customer. Cosmetic or non-invasive procedures generate most revenues because clients want fast treatments, effective results, and no down or recovery time. Skincare, which removes or reduces the signs of ageing such as age spots and wrinkles, is driving this market while hair removal for both men and women can account for more than 50% of business in US Medspas. (Medical spa articles extracted from diagonal research) High Growth Rates In The Asia Spa Sector To Continue To Rise Co-organised by SWAS, the success of the Spa Seminar at Cosmoprof 2007 in Hongkong has led to SWAS being invited to organize a bigger event at Cosmoprof Asia 2008 focusing on the mega spa trends and growth in Asia. SWAS intends to bring in renown spa gurus from US, Europe and Asia to be part of this important event where SWAS can be the resource centre with global spa players, world spa associations and spa authorities. Growth rates in the spa market are much higher than in traditional and long established beauty and hair salons due to the demand in spa tourism. Spa treatments meet a demand that has not been satisfied in more traditional business models. Spas are multiplying exponentially across Asia, Europe and US and cover the whole gamut to include day spas, hotel spas, and resort and destination spas. The “cosmeceutical" industry has entered into the spa market and is often represented by large, corporate players. These new entrants possess the resources to roll out their business plans not only nationally but globally as well through spa seminars and exhibitions. In January 1, 2007 the ASEAN Harmonization Act came into force and its impact on spa industry members who either import or export spa products or cosmetics is evident. The Act is welcomed by all in the region; some 500 million consumers can be assured of a wider range of safe products which is more easily regulated through one system and one open ASEAN market. HIGH GROWTH RATES IN THE ASIA SPA SECTOR TO CONTINUE TO RISE With the success of Spa Seminar at Cosmoprof 2007 in Hongkong, SWAS has been invited to organize a bigger event at Cosmoprof Asia 2008 focusing on the mega spa trends and growth in Asia. SWAS would be inviting renowned spa gurus from US, Europe and Asia to be part of this important event where SWAS can be the resource centre with support from global spa players, world spa associations and spa authorities. Growth rates in the spa market are much higher than in traditional and long established beauty and hair salons due to the demand in spa tourism. Spa treatments meet a demand that was not satisfied in more traditional business models and spas are multiplying in number across Asia, Europe and US from day spa, hotels, resort and destination spas. The new entrant by the “cosmeceutical" industry that are entering into spa market are large and often corporate, where they have the recourse to roll the business plan, normally it reach not nationally but global thru spa seminar and exhibitions. LAUNCH OF DIPLOMA ON WELLNESS, LIFESTYLE AND SPA MANAGEMENT The Spa and Wellness Association congratulates the School of Hospitality of the Republic Polytechnic on their new course on Diploma on Wellness, Lifestyle and Spa Management. This diploma course will aid the lifestyle, hospitality, spa & wellness industry in its deficiency in workers not just in Singapore but also in various parts of the world which is felt from all levels in the industry, from therapists to supervisors and managers. The Spa & Wellness Association Singapore is an advocate of educating both the public and the workers about the benefits of the Spa & Wellness sector. With clients becoming more affluent, providing professional services is of utmost importance if the establishment is to remain relevant. This new diploma course will take the industry towards that direction. The association will support the School of Hospitality during the students’ Industry Immersion Programme (IIP) and will not hesitate to recommend graduates of this faculty who are seeking employment in the near future to our members both in Singapore and overseas. We look forward to welcoming your graduates to the Spa and Wellness Association Singapore. Members who would like to support and be part of this students' Industry Immersion Programme (IIP) may contact the following for any further enquiries: Nancy CHAN Senior Academic Staff Diploma on Wellness. Lifestyle and Spa Management School of Hospitality Republic Polytechnic website: http://www.rp.sg/schoolscentres/soh.asp Tel: (65) 3100 1106 Dr Theresa Chew President Spa & Wellness Association Singapore ASIA SPA INSTITUTE FIRST ASIA SPA MANPOWER SURVEY Asia Spa Institute will launch the first Asia Spa Manpower study to assess the manpower needs of the booming spa industry. As the leader in the Spa management, Asia Spa Institute together with Conceptasia Management and Consultants Inc will be conducting the first Asia Spa Manpower study focusing on Spa Management needs in the ever growing Global Spa Industry. “With the economic recovery performing faster than expected, we have been inundated for consulting and staffing requests. Hence, the Manpower study is incorporated. The spa business professionals, hospitality educators as well as government policy makers are seeking data to assist them in their planning to meet these demanding manpower needs. The current lack of availability of such independent data has prompted us to collaborate with Asia Spa Institute.” Stephen C W Ho, Director, Conceptasia management and consultants inc. At this year’s Global Spa Summit, ‘75% of the delegates report that the current economy has either significantly or somewhat improved the labor shortage problem. However, the labor shortage in spa management and personnel is consistently ranked as the #1 issue facing the spa industry in both 2007 and 2008 GSS polls.’ It is expected that once the Global economy recovers, the shortage will be severely magnified as the demand intensifies. The good news is that while the Global Spa Summit data indicates ‘that new research reveals global challenges faced in 2009, particularly within the high-end luxury resort spa sector, it also shows the strength and resiliency of the industry in fast-growing markets like Asia-Pacific and across the world. The economy also appears to be accelerating an ongoing macro trend: the expansion of an industry focus on preventative health and wellness, and a shared perception that opportunities lie in a collaborative future with the health and medical industries.’ In preparation for the recovery and continuation of the growth of the US $251 billion global market, this Asia Spa Institute research aims to provide concrete data from spas, hotel and resort business development/investment companies, consultants, spa business groups, to better understand their manpower needs through a series of surveys. Some areas that may be addressed will be on education to promote the spa sector to school leavers, continuing professional development especially for management personnel and if the industry would benefit from a worldwide accreditation scheme for spa professionals. The aim of the study is to enable stakeholders in the industry as well as enablers such as policy/decision makers, universities, polytechnics and spa education providers to first understand this industry and ultimately to assist in the preparation of building manpower to meet the need of this global sunrise industry. Asia Spa Institute and Asia’s leading spa consulting company Conceptasia Management and Consultants Inc will be running the first of a series of spa manpower study to understand the educational and training needs of the spa industry in Asia. Asia Spa Insitute is Asia’s leading spa management educator and runs a series of Masterclasses for Spa Management across Asia in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and in 2010 will be running more programs in China, Vietnam, Turkey and India. If you are clever or ambitious, there are plenty of ways to get noticed without spending a bundle. Marketing is a learnable skill that you can easily & quickly master. You will walk out of the Asia Spa Institute training ready to market your spa and equipped with the most important pieces of marketing collateral that you need to start or to makeover your marketing in 2009. ASI also offers a unique Spa Management Master Class Series where attendees can get a Professional Certificate in Spa Management & Benchmarking upon completion of a intensive 5 day course. Developed as a result of significant industry demand for highly specialized and specific training for spa professionals, the ASI certification course is ideal for those who want to progress in their spa industry career, are considering working in the spa arena or changing careers, or learning about management of spa and wellness facilities. The Professional Certificate in Spa Management & benchmarking trains people to be professional spa consultants, spa operators, spa marketers, spa directors and/or managers. Class enrollment is limited to 20 participants. Students have the option to take any or all of the following modules offered: · Spa Strategy (Spa Concepts & Spa Financials) · Driving Profitable Spa Operations · Benchmarking for Success · Spa Branding & Marketing The next MASTERCLASS SERIES programme Series will be held in Singapore from 26^th – 30^th October 2009. To find out more about ASI courses, go to www.AsiaSpa-Institute.com. For further details of the master class programme, please email to rsvp@asiaspa-institute.com. The manpower study will first focus on the developmental needs of existing spas and projects in planning; the results will be announced in the first quarter of 2010. And the results can be purchased from Asia Spa Institute. ASI Spectacular Spa Feature Article is courtesy ofDr Theresa Chew, President of Spa & Wellness Association Singapore (SWAS), Chairwoman of Asia Spa Institute (ASI) email at rsvp@asiaspa-institute.com, Quote by Stephen C W Ho, Director of Conceptasia management and consultants inc. & Reference byConceptasia Management & Consultants Inc. SINGAPORE EXHIBITORS FROM THE SPA & WELLNESS ASSOCIATION (SINGAPORE) AT BEAUTYWORLD MIDDLE EAST, DUBAI SHOW (7-9 June 2009) Despite the economic downturn, Singapore companies are continuously looking for opportunities beyond the Singapore shores. At this year’s Beautyworld Middle East trade show in Dubai, the contingent from Singapore led by the Spa & Wellness Association (Singapore) – SWAS – showcase 10 homegrown companies under the Singapore Pavilion During this three day show, the Singapore contingent collectively garnered immediate sales orders exceeding S$240,000.00. Collectively, with another S$380,000.00 worth of sales under negotiation and an expected realization of S$380,000.00 sales expected over the next 12 months as a result of this show, our members are certainly more than pleased with the bumper crop and had also shown interests to return for another showing next year. The contingent also had the opportunity to meet with Mr Dean Tan, Centre Director (Middle East, Dubai) of International Enterprise whom SWAS invited to visit our exhibitors. Mr Tan shared insightful and useful advice with our contingent in areas of business, legal, taxation, culture, not forgetting - living and doing business in the Middle East. It was a valuable and meaningful exchange for all. “I'm encouraged by the number of Singapore companies which participated in the exhibition. Dubai is the beauty and lifestyle showroom for the Middle East region. Singapore companies can leverage on the established trading networks in Dubai to expand into the neighbouring markets. IE Singapore's overseas centres in the Middle East will continue to help Singapore companies make further inroads in this market. One of the things our companies should consider is to differentiate themselves further by localising their product and service offerings for the Middle East market” *- Mr Dean Tan – Centre Director, Middle East, Dubai* *Here’s what our members said about the show:-* " BeautyWorld Middle East Exposition in Dubai is a great platform for SME like mine to venture into the Middle East. We had received many interested enquiries from many Middle East countries as well as from Iran and Bahrain. Congrats to SWAS and IE Singapore for taking the lead. " *- Phillip Wee –* *CEO, Beauty Collection International* Beauty 9 : another successful trade show for the Singapore pavilion put together by the Spa & Wellness Association (Singapore) on 9th–12^th October 2009 at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur. The contingent from Singapore led by the Spa & Wellness Association (Singapore) – SWAS – declared the Beauty 9 Expo held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia a success. During this four-day show, the Singapore contingent collectively garnered immediate sales orders exceeding S$1,750,000.00. Collectively, with another S$1,900,000.00 worth of sales under negotiation and an expected realization of S$6,250,000.00 sales expected over the next 12 months as a result of this show. The contingent also had the opportunity to meet with the Singapore High Commissioner to Malaysia, His Excellency, Mr T Jasudasen, Ms Florence Loh (IE Centre Director), and Ms Sheryl Shum (First Secretary, Singapore High Commission) on 9 October. Ms Loh shared insightful and useful advice with our contingent in areas of business, legal, taxation, culture, not forgetting - living and doing business in Malaysia. "We have a dynamic health and wellness industry. Many Singapore companies were represented at the Beauty 9 Expo and they were impressive. It was a learning experience for me to roam around the booths and learn about innovations in the industry. I would like to thank all participants and IE Singapore for supporting the event," said Mr T Jasudasen. SWAS also co-organised a one-day seminar entitled “Thriving and Surviving Challenging Times”. The speakers were Dr Theresa Chew-Tan (President, SWAS), Ms Suzanne Ng (CEO of Conceptasia), Dr. John Rogerson (Adviser, UK's Institute of Complementary Medicine and BRCP), Ms Victoria Liu (Founder, SPARK Academy and Consultants), and Khun Apichai Jearadisak (Chairman, Federation of Thai Spa Associations). *For more information on how you can participate in SWAS-supported overseas trade missions and exhibitions or on Membership, contact :* *The Secretariat* *Spa & Wellness Association (Singapore)* *Email :* *secretariat@spaandwellness.org* *Tel +65 6323 9235* *Fax: +65 6234 1089*

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