• [Feature]Mandara Spa at Atlantis Paradise Island: A Wellness Oasis in the Tropics

  Mandara Spa Entrance [Wellness Today International Editor Bill Healey] A visit to the Mandara Spa at the Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas is a relaxing escape from the many activities available at this spectacular island resort. I was fortunate to have spent four days and three nights onsite as a guest of the Atlantis Resort. Having taken twelve hours to travel from Las Vegas to Nassau (airport transfers and flight changes), I was pleased to be scheduled for a Coconut Poultice Massage at their award winning Mandara Spa on my first morning onsite. The treatment is described as a treatment that “strengthens and heals the body. This traditional therapy combines stretching, long strokes as well as palm and thumb pressure techniques.” Having started my resort visit after a lengthy journey, it became my “jet lag” treatment, improving blood flow and easing the stresses of travel. The therapist’s touch allowed the pains of travel and the concerns of daily life to be easily swept-away. Considered a Balinese treatment, I was particularly curious to give it a try as I’ve experienced numerous Balinese treatments during my 15 years living in Bali. Needless to say, the treatment at The Atlantis exceeded all expectations. The serenity of the Mandara Spa as well as the professionalism of the therapist provided the welcoming calm that one would expect in a luxury resort spa. Further information on the Mandara Spa at The Atlantis can be found at: - Mandara Spa website: https://www.mandaraspa.com/our-spas/atlantis-paradise-island/ - Atlantis Bahamas website: https://www.atlantisbahamas.com/things-to-do/spa Note that the Mandara Spa will be undergoing a significant renovation and rebranding. At the moment of writing this review, no date has been set for the opening of the renovated Spa, but it is expected in the early part of 2025. Stay tuned here for more information. MANDARA SPA FOR THAT PAMPERED TOUCH Award-winning Mandara Spa at Atlantis brings together ancient Balinese healing touches, traditional European therapies, and natural elements indigenous to The Bahamas while charting a path to the -New World. Come bask in our sanctuary of warm and cold plunge pools, steam and sauna rooms or rejuvenating facials as you create timeless Mandara moments. What's more, couples can enjoy a special spa suite, while the women's area includes a relaxing aromatherapy room. Elevate your stay with an incredible island spa experience. Retail Lounge Host with Bush Tea Facial Treatment Hot Stone Body Treatment Salt Treatment

• In Search of Sleep: Hilton Caters to Rising Number of Sleep Tourists with Debut of Hilton Sleep Retreats

  Kilolani Spa at Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort Sleep expert Dr. Rebecca Robbins to host snooze‑worthy series at Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort’s Kilolani Spa Hilton’s 2024 Trends Report found the No. 1 reason people of all generations want to travel this year is to rest and recharge. In fact, some travelers are even building their entire trip around sleep, which is a trend now known as “sleep tourism.” Sleep tourism first picked up speed in 2023 and has accelerated this year – in its recent report, the Global Wellness Institute cites Wellness Tourism as one of the fastest-growing segments of travel, projected to reach $1.4 Trillion USD by 2027. To address this demand and in celebration of National Sleep Month in March, Hilton has partnered with sleep science expert Dr. Rebecca Robbins to offer expert insight into ways Hilton can lead the industry in providing the best night’s rest possible across the portfolio. This includes new programming like the launch of Sleep Retreats at Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, with the potential to expand to additional markets in the coming months. Dr. Robbins, an assistant professor in medicine and associate scientist at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, is also an acclaimed author and sleep expert featured in national print and television. She deeply understands the importance of sleep and which behavioral changes can help travelers get the most Zzzs when staying in unfamiliar environments. Together with Hilton, she will help guests put these insights into practice during a series of one-of-a-kind retreats, with the first launching in Maui at Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort’s Kilolani Spa, an all-new open-air luxury spa adorned by the natural beauty of Hawaii. “Understanding the vital role sleep plays in our lives goes much deeper than just knowing we need it. It's about nurturing and prioritizing it, especially in our fast-moving world where being constantly on the go is the norm," said Dr. Robbins. “Collaborating with Hilton to bridge the gap between sleep science and its practical, everyday application excites me and our retreats serve as a wonderful demonstration of how this knowledge can be brought to life – whether traveling or at home.” Designed to educate and empower guests while leveraging the unique wellness amenities offered at Hilton, the Sleep Retreats provide an all-encompassing journey into the science and practice of achieving restful, restorative sleep. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in a series of Dr. Robbins-led activities, discussions, strategies and meditations focused on enhancing sleep quality. Kilolani Spa at Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort - Portal Beyond spa services developed to mitigate jet lag, optimize circadian rhythms and release sleep-enhancing hormones, the programs include lectures that illuminate the science of restfulness, covering topics such as the foundations of sleep mechanics and sleep disorders. The retreats also feature healthy, sleep-promoting meals and opportunities for guests to design a personalized sleep schedule, ensuring each guest leaves with the knowledge and practices needed to improve their daily routine. “Hilton seeks to provide more than just a place to stay. We aim to be a catalyst for wellness, starting with a great night’s sleep. Recognizing that more than half of all travelers surveyed in our recent Trends Report emphasized the need for rest when they travel, our commitment has never been more important,” said Amanda Al-Masri, global vice president, wellness, Hilton. “From the moment a guest steps into our hotels, every touchpoint is an opportunity to contribute to the quality of their overall wellness, and these curated Sleep Retreats represent a fusion of comfort, science and innovation crafted to improve the sleep experience.” Hilton’s commitment to enhancing the guest sleep experience is exemplified by specialized offerings across its brands and properties. Travelers have shown a deep appreciation for the basics, and while all Hilton brands offer unique and exclusive bedding, Canopy by Hilton offers a gel memory foam mattress and Serta Cool Balance® technology, with the brand’s signature canopy frame, and Motto by Hilton has equipped its rooms with top-notch mattresses, sound-absorbing surroundings and smart technology available through the Hilton Honors app. Wellness offerings also extend directly into the room across many Hilton properties, such as Tempo by Hilton’s rooms designed with “power down” features for an optimal sleep environment. Additionally, dedicated wellness rooms are available at Signia by Hilton Atlanta Georgia World Congress Center, which are equipped with tools to help guests get their R&R. More information on Hilton’s new Sleep Retreats will be made available on the Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort’s website in the coming weeks.

• O'Reve Hot Spring and Spa Executive, Lee Deok-beom, Honored at East Asian Spa Summit

  Jeju's O'Reve Hot Spring and Spa executive, Mr. Lee Deok-beom, was honored as the 'Spa Industry Contributor of the Year' at the 15th East Asia Spa Industry Union (EASIU) Summit and Annual Forum held in Suzhou, China on January 8th and 9th. Mr. Lee Deok-beom, previously responsible for planning and operational management in the hot springs and spa sector at locations such as Asan Spavis in Chungnam, is currently leading the operational planning at O'Reve Hot Spring, a premium hot spring spa set to open soon in Jeju. His expertise, demonstrated through insightful understanding of global industry changes and market demands, coupled with meticulous operational planning, has garnered recognition not only domestically but also from the EASIU, which unanimously selected and awarded him for his significant contributions to the spa industry's development, following last year's performances and recognition. Established in 2005, the EASIU is an international gathering of spa industry representatives from China, Japan, Mongolia, and Korea. The organization rotates its chairmanship annually, hosting summit meetings and annual forums, with representatives from Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand invited to participate alongside the four founding nations. The Korean Spa Wellness Association (KorSpa) is representing South Korea at the EASIU. The next event, scheduled for 2025, is slated to be hosted in South Korea as the rotating chairmanship country.

• [Feature]Mandara Spa at Atlantis Paradise Island: A Wellness Oasis in the Tropics

  Mandara Spa Entrance [Wellness Today International Editor Bill Healey] A visit to the Mandara Spa at the Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas is a relaxing escape from the many activities available at this spectacular island resort. I was fortunate to have spent four days and three nights onsite as a guest of the Atlantis Resort. Having taken twelve hours to travel from Las Vegas to Nassau (airport transfers and flight changes), I was pleased to be scheduled for a Coconut Poultice Massage at their award winning Mandara Spa on my first morning onsite. The treatment is described as a treatment that “strengthens and heals the body. This traditional therapy combines stretching, long strokes as well as palm and thumb pressure techniques.” Having started my resort visit after a lengthy journey, it became my “jet lag” treatment, improving blood flow and easing the stresses of travel. The therapist’s touch allowed the pains of travel and the concerns of daily life to be easily swept-away. Considered a Balinese treatment, I was particularly curious to give it a try as I’ve experienced numerous Balinese treatments during my 15 years living in Bali. Needless to say, the treatment at The Atlantis exceeded all expectations. The serenity of the Mandara Spa as well as the professionalism of the therapist provided the welcoming calm that one would expect in a luxury resort spa. Further information on the Mandara Spa at The Atlantis can be found at: - Mandara Spa website: https://www.mandaraspa.com/our-spas/atlantis-paradise-island/ - Atlantis Bahamas website: https://www.atlantisbahamas.com/things-to-do/spa Note that the Mandara Spa will be undergoing a significant renovation and rebranding. At the moment of writing this review, no date has been set for the opening of the renovated Spa, but it is expected in the early part of 2025. Stay tuned here for more information. MANDARA SPA FOR THAT PAMPERED TOUCH Award-winning Mandara Spa at Atlantis brings together ancient Balinese healing touches, traditional European therapies, and natural elements indigenous to The Bahamas while charting a path to the -New World. Come bask in our sanctuary of warm and cold plunge pools, steam and sauna rooms or rejuvenating facials as you create timeless Mandara moments. What's more, couples can enjoy a special spa suite, while the women's area includes a relaxing aromatherapy room. Elevate your stay with an incredible island spa experience. Retail Lounge Host with Bush Tea Facial Treatment Hot Stone Body Treatment Salt Treatment

  • In English
  • Feature

  2024-09-04

• In Search of Sleep: Hilton Caters to Rising Number of Sleep Tourists with Debut of Hilton Sleep Retreats

  Kilolani Spa at Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort Sleep expert Dr. Rebecca Robbins to host snooze‑worthy series at Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort’s Kilolani Spa Hilton’s 2024 Trends Report found the No. 1 reason people of all generations want to travel this year is to rest and recharge. In fact, some travelers are even building their entire trip around sleep, which is a trend now known as “sleep tourism.” Sleep tourism first picked up speed in 2023 and has accelerated this year – in its recent report, the Global Wellness Institute cites Wellness Tourism as one of the fastest-growing segments of travel, projected to reach $1.4 Trillion USD by 2027. To address this demand and in celebration of National Sleep Month in March, Hilton has partnered with sleep science expert Dr. Rebecca Robbins to offer expert insight into ways Hilton can lead the industry in providing the best night’s rest possible across the portfolio. This includes new programming like the launch of Sleep Retreats at Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, with the potential to expand to additional markets in the coming months. Dr. Robbins, an assistant professor in medicine and associate scientist at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, is also an acclaimed author and sleep expert featured in national print and television. She deeply understands the importance of sleep and which behavioral changes can help travelers get the most Zzzs when staying in unfamiliar environments. Together with Hilton, she will help guests put these insights into practice during a series of one-of-a-kind retreats, with the first launching in Maui at Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort’s Kilolani Spa, an all-new open-air luxury spa adorned by the natural beauty of Hawaii. “Understanding the vital role sleep plays in our lives goes much deeper than just knowing we need it. It's about nurturing and prioritizing it, especially in our fast-moving world where being constantly on the go is the norm," said Dr. Robbins. “Collaborating with Hilton to bridge the gap between sleep science and its practical, everyday application excites me and our retreats serve as a wonderful demonstration of how this knowledge can be brought to life – whether traveling or at home.” Designed to educate and empower guests while leveraging the unique wellness amenities offered at Hilton, the Sleep Retreats provide an all-encompassing journey into the science and practice of achieving restful, restorative sleep. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in a series of Dr. Robbins-led activities, discussions, strategies and meditations focused on enhancing sleep quality. Kilolani Spa at Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort - Portal Beyond spa services developed to mitigate jet lag, optimize circadian rhythms and release sleep-enhancing hormones, the programs include lectures that illuminate the science of restfulness, covering topics such as the foundations of sleep mechanics and sleep disorders. The retreats also feature healthy, sleep-promoting meals and opportunities for guests to design a personalized sleep schedule, ensuring each guest leaves with the knowledge and practices needed to improve their daily routine. “Hilton seeks to provide more than just a place to stay. We aim to be a catalyst for wellness, starting with a great night’s sleep. Recognizing that more than half of all travelers surveyed in our recent Trends Report emphasized the need for rest when they travel, our commitment has never been more important,” said Amanda Al-Masri, global vice president, wellness, Hilton. “From the moment a guest steps into our hotels, every touchpoint is an opportunity to contribute to the quality of their overall wellness, and these curated Sleep Retreats represent a fusion of comfort, science and innovation crafted to improve the sleep experience.” Hilton’s commitment to enhancing the guest sleep experience is exemplified by specialized offerings across its brands and properties. Travelers have shown a deep appreciation for the basics, and while all Hilton brands offer unique and exclusive bedding, Canopy by Hilton offers a gel memory foam mattress and Serta Cool Balance® technology, with the brand’s signature canopy frame, and Motto by Hilton has equipped its rooms with top-notch mattresses, sound-absorbing surroundings and smart technology available through the Hilton Honors app. Wellness offerings also extend directly into the room across many Hilton properties, such as Tempo by Hilton’s rooms designed with “power down” features for an optimal sleep environment. Additionally, dedicated wellness rooms are available at Signia by Hilton Atlanta Georgia World Congress Center, which are equipped with tools to help guests get their R&R. More information on Hilton’s new Sleep Retreats will be made available on the Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort’s website in the coming weeks.

  • In English
  • Feature

  2024-03-16

• O'Reve Hot Spring and Spa Executive, Lee Deok-beom, Honored at East Asian Spa Summit

  Jeju's O'Reve Hot Spring and Spa executive, Mr. Lee Deok-beom, was honored as the 'Spa Industry Contributor of the Year' at the 15th East Asia Spa Industry Union (EASIU) Summit and Annual Forum held in Suzhou, China on January 8th and 9th. Mr. Lee Deok-beom, previously responsible for planning and operational management in the hot springs and spa sector at locations such as Asan Spavis in Chungnam, is currently leading the operational planning at O'Reve Hot Spring, a premium hot spring spa set to open soon in Jeju. His expertise, demonstrated through insightful understanding of global industry changes and market demands, coupled with meticulous operational planning, has garnered recognition not only domestically but also from the EASIU, which unanimously selected and awarded him for his significant contributions to the spa industry's development, following last year's performances and recognition. Established in 2005, the EASIU is an international gathering of spa industry representatives from China, Japan, Mongolia, and Korea. The organization rotates its chairmanship annually, hosting summit meetings and annual forums, with representatives from Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand invited to participate alongside the four founding nations. The Korean Spa Wellness Association (KorSpa) is representing South Korea at the EASIU. The next event, scheduled for 2025, is slated to be hosted in South Korea as the rotating chairmanship country.

  • In English
  • Feature

  2024-01-12

• [Travel with a Purpose] Your Complete Holistic Healing Journey at The Farm at San Benito, the Philippines

  Located in Lipa City in Batangas, The Farm at San Benito encompasses all the luxurious features of a premium medical wellness resort. Its tastefully-appointed suites and villas echo a sophisticated design concept that marries the opulence of nature and the subtle elegance of traditional Filipino-Oriental sensibilities. Nestled in a 51-hectare forested property, The Farm at San Benito is an exclusive estate of lush gardens and lagoons, of quiet tree groves and crisp, fresh air, with strong positive energy radiating around the property. Yet, beyond its paradisal beauty and the inspiring sensations it evokes, lies The Farm’s true essence: it is a facility for medical wellness and a safe sanctuary for healing. Its programs, aimed to help the body and mind achieve optimum health and performance, have been meticulously designed following foundational science-based protocols and guided by evidence. At a time when health consciousness has become a widespread realization, more and more people are traveling to achieve a state of mind and body that is fit and well-balanced. Some travel to seek treatment for their illnesses. Others do so as a preventive measure to keep their health at an optimum level. Traveling with a purpose that is focused on health and wellness attests to the phenomenal growth of conscious travelers. The Farm at San Benito is at the forefront of medical wellness tourism Celebrating two decades of life-transformative healing holidays, it has distinguished itself as one of the world’s best, winning over 80 accolades from prestigious international bodies such as 'Best Wellness Resort in the World.' It cupped the coveted ‘Haute Grandeur Global Excellence Award from the Haute Grandeur Global Spa Awards in 2021 receiving a total of 21 awards. Since it’s officially the rainy season in the country, now is the perfect time to detox and cleanse from within. Rain symbolizes purification. At The Farm, you can experience a full immersion into clean living through physical healing in the form of mindful movements and functional fitness activities, medically-guided fasting, and treatments to eliminate toxins from within while restoring the body’s optimum ability to restore nutrients. The Farm offers an ‘Intro to Detox’ program that includes a 3-day medically supervised cleansing program to purge unhealthy elements from the body and mind while providing optimum nutrition. The Farm is also home to a world-renowned Weight Management, Diabetes Prevention & Heart Health Program, which focuses on the management of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and stress to resolve the root cause of the dysfunction and to bring the body back to a natural state of balance. At The Farm, the wide-ranging compendium of services aimed to address various health and psycho-emotional conditions, are all medically supervised by licensed physicians supported by health professionals, spa therapists, medical acupuncturists, physiotherapists, nutritionists, living food experts, fitness coaches, sound healers, and yoga teachers. The Farm at San Benito is thus a complete and genuine sanctuary—a space of encompassing beauty where the body and mind can heal to return to a state of genuine well-being and spiritual enrichment and inner renewal can be achieved. www.thefarmatsanbenito.com

  • In English
  • Feature

  2022-06-05

• [Interview] Ms. Dao Huyen – CEO of S.H.E Cosmetics Ltd., Vietnam

  Vietnam has recently become one of the hottest growth markets for beauty and cosmetics in Asia. Wellness Today is fortunate to talk with a Hanoi-based beauty enthusiast and cosmetics dealer Dao Huyen, founder & CEO of S.H.E. Cosmetics Ltd. ▲ Ms. Dao Huyen, founder & CEO of S.H.E. Cosmetics Ltd. [WT] Could you tell us a bit of your background? [DH] I have been working in cosmetics field for more than 5 years. I started as a sales person at a small cosmetics shop. It was about two years ago when I became deeply attracted by cosmetics trading business. At that time, I was working as a sales & marketing manager at a local skincare clinic which sells not only skincare services but also cosmetics products. While working, I found that the Vietnamese cosmetics market was booming but needed to mature as customers were rapidly getting savvy. I soon moved to a Korean cosmetics company in Hanoi and started working as a manager at large. At this company, I was fortunate to get many insights from local distributors and consumers. I found Korean-made cosmetics products were getting high popularity in local market. In early 2018, with the vision of bringing the best cosmetics products mainly from Korea to the Vietnamese customers, I started my own business, S.H.E Cosmetics Ltd., offering OEM ODM services to local enterprises and also sourcing the hottest trend cosmetics from Korea for local distributors in Vietnam. [WT] What do you think about today’s Vietnamese cosmetics market? [DH] The cosmetics consumption in Vietnam is still low compared to neighboring countries like Thailand. However, if you have a better understanding of the characteristics of the country, Vietnam is more promising than any other country. It's really an attractive market. Above all, the percentage of younger people under 35 is 60%. Due to rapid westernization and increased personal social exposure, young people are more interested in their appearance than ever before. The other reason why the Vietnamese market is more attractive is because of the socio-economic role of women who have traditionally been quite active. With the increase in women's income, I am sure, they will spend more money on beauty and cosmetics. I think this is going to happen very quickly. [WT] Specifically, what aspects of beauty consumption expenditure should we pay attention to in Vietnam? [DH] As in other countries, Vietnamese women spend their money in purchasing home care cosmetics products and/or in getting treatments at beauty salons. For home care products, the preference for whitening function or sunscreen is high due to the nature of Vietnam climate. But the problem is that they are very interested in cosmetics, but there are not many people who have enough knowledge about exactly what products to use and how to use them. So the beauty market in Vietnam is characterized by a lot of skin care shops in each neighborhood. Consumers want to receive cosmetics from these shops and receive professional treatment from them. However, there are not many skincare shops that have mastered the techniques to fully understand the products and use them effectively. Of course, I think there will be many improvements over time. [WT] At this point, what parts of Vietnam skin care shops should focus on to evolve themselves? [DH] In a word, differentiation. Many shops now offer similar products and similar services. In order for shops to evolve and be competitive, they must have differentiated technology. If you simply sell cosmetics on the market, you cannot win the competition. And it is also important to have good products to gain trust. In short, arming with good products and good skills is the basis for differentiation, and I think more customers will come to these well-organized shops. [WT] I hear that you are planning to open your skincare shop yourself. Could you elaborate in detail? [DH] Yes, I am currently in contact with various agencies in Korea to provide services that Vietnam consumers really want. I would like to choose an institution that can provide a good selection of products and continue to provide skin care related technology. The key to this plan is to build a solid platform for reliably supporting existing skincare shop operators and new start-ups. I plan to open my first shop by the end of this year. [WT] Thank you for many good comments. Finally, what does the company name S.H.E mean? S.H.E. stands for Safety, High Technology, and Effectiveness. The purpose is to provide customers with a safe product with the latest technology to ensure maximum effectiveness. This name is the company's future mission as well.

  • In English
  • Feature

  2019-04-10

실시간 Feature 기사

• [Interview] Mr. Andrew Gibson, Director of Spa & Wellness, MOHG

  Wellness Today is privileged to have the opportunity to speak with Andrew Gibson about the Spas at Mandarin Oriental. Andrew is the Director of Spa & Wellness at Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group based in Hong Kong. ▲ Mr. Andrew Gibson, Director of Spa & Wellness at Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group [WT] The award winning Spas at Mandarin Oriental are often found at the top of a seasoned traveler’s favorite spa. In 2011, the Forbes ‘Five Star Spa’ award was granted to a record eight hotels, more than any other hotel group in the world. What makes Mandarin Oriental unique? I think that attention to detail is probably the most important characteristic required to enable our spas to reach the standards they have. This starts from the fact that we have an experienced and dedicated spa team that work from concept through to post opening. Many other hotel groups contract out this work. We have an amazing set of standards and tools to help get started and maintain the operation of our spas. We project manage every one of our spas from concept through to opening. Our Spa Directors visit Hong Kong for an induction that includes spa experiences at three of our properties so they understand the level of support they will receive and they experience the oriental heritage that permeates through each of our properties. We measure and monitor success and we try to recruit people that have a genuine desire to provide hospitality. If all of those things come together the guest will have a memorable experience in every aspect of their visit and will not see all the details that go behind the delivery of excellent service. [WT] The Oriental Spa at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong was recently awarded “Hotel Spa of the Year, Asia and Australasia” at the inaugural World Spa Awards 2012. In a region known for a number of high-end hotel spas, that is quite an achievement. What makes this site stand-out? The Oriental Spa was a landmark creation in more than just name. The spa set design standards and facilities so high that many spas now use it as the benchmark to follow. Design, however, is just one aspect of the experience and today we have been able to deliver a high level of service and creativity to the local Hong Kong market as well as the hotel guests. The General Manager of the hotel takes a personal interest in the spa and ensures that the entire hotel team supports the operation. The Spa Director sits in the Executive committee so that the spa is included in operations and that important events in the hotel are fed back to the spa. As a result the spa plays a significant role in attracting local community into the hotel and works together with all other departments to ensure that the guest enjoys the Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hotel. [WT] Mandarin Oriental spas are designed to envelop guests in simple, effective and authentic spa experience. What principles guide the Mandarin Oriental Spa philosophy? I have copied our guiding principle below since this is such a simple and short paragraph: The Spas at Mandarin Oriental are born out of a sincere understanding and passion for wellness, which we define as a way of life that focuses on physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. The Group is committed to delivering all aspects of wellness with integrity and honesty, providing inspiration for lifestyle change, in an environment that delights all the senses. The Spas at Mandarin Oriental are havens for contemplation and discovery. Guided by our Oriental heritage but influenced by local cultural diversity, the Group has created distinctive concepts with a unique sense of place in every location. The main message is that we have always focused on wellness. This is important because it makes you look beyond just a treatment. By keeping our focus clear and staying true to our philosophy we have been able to reinforce this with hiring and training teams that have the desire to help people. One of the points of difference is how we deliver the concept of Oriental heritage since this is a subtle use of oriental principles and customs blended with a strong sense of place. None of our spas are the same but everyone has a distinctly Mandarin Oriental feel about it and has a core of standards, products, treatments and service guidelines that are consistent throughout. [WT] Mandarin Oriental spas also provide fitness options, nutrition counseling and a variety of other disciplines. What additional services may the guest find? The type of services offered by our spas depends on their location the availability of specialists and the type of guests that stay at the hotel. In Chang Mai we have the most complete wellness offering with visiting practitioners, resident Ayurveda doctors and programmes that are tailor made for guest. There is an organic garden and we work with experts and local community to grow indigenous plants that can be used in healing and treatments. In Sanya we are more focused on Chinese traditional treatments and have an excellent TCM Doctor, a Shaolin monk that teaches meditation and a range of Chinese based treatments. In Las Vegas there is a dedicated foot massage salon that caters for people that spend all day walking the Las Vegas strip, in the Landmark, Hong Kong we have Pilates and Yoga that is also open to the local community. New York has an excellent line up of practitioners that provide therapeutic treatments. They are so good that some of the therapists have guest booked a year in advance. We also have a consultant natural health practitioner that is engaged by several of our hotels to assist with healthy eating options for guests and employees. As you can see each spa has the ability to adapt the wellness spectrum according to their market demand. [WT] In 2009, Mandarin Oriental launched its Signature Spa Product Line. What does this encompass? In 2007 we identified the need to create a strong brand image for Mandarin Oriental and one of the ways was to create a signature product line. Our spa philosophy is strong and consistent and we wanted the product line to reflect the philosophy. Since the majority of our treatments were body based and mainly some form of massage we decided this was the area to focus on. Two of the main considerations to product development were the need to identify signature treatments and the ability to distribute the product globally. In keeping with our Oriental Heritage and desire to offer treatments that have a therapeutic value (i.e. providing wellness) we collected Chinese Doctors, Holistic practitioners, aroma therapists and our team of trainers and met in London to do a work shop that would identify the treatments we wanted to cover. Our solution was to create a customized massage that could be adapted based on a lifestyle questionnaire, a diagnostic and a smell test. The massage would be based on TCM and the aroma oils would reinforce the therapeutic benefit of the treatment. The solution was to produce our oils and scrub. These products could also satisfy our commitment to sustainability, the oils are natural, the packaging and containers, distribution and storage were all considered to provide the most ethically responsible way of delivering these oils. The result was a fantastic creation of oils, scrubs and candles that truly represent our brand. The product line is simple and concentrates on the core of our treatments. This also leaves us free to work with companies that are expert at skin care, men’s lines, etc so that our spas have a core element and a sense of place. [WT] Mandarin Oriental has a well-designed global print advertising campaign which gathers ‘fans’ from around the world. The campaign simply and elegantly connects the Group’s highly-recognized symbol – the fan- with international celebrities who regularly stay at the hotels and are true fans of the Group. Have the spas played a part in the ”She’s/He’s a Fan” campaign? Our marketing strategy is controlled by our Group Communications and Marketing Departments. They take great care to ensure that the entire Mandarin Oriental product is presented. Spa is one our Mandarin Oriental core competencies and therefore is included in all group initiatives. Our group videos included elements from all parts of life in Mandarin Oriental but we also have a dedicated spa video. One of the reasons that the fan campaign is successful is because the fans speak of the entire Mandarin Oriental experience. [WT] For many guests, time spent at the spa is a way to escape from a daily routine inundated by gadgets and technology. However, in managing a highly recognized global spa brand, the spas likely use guest-centric technology to ensure your jet-setting guests receive top level service at any Mandarin Oriental Spa. The three mantras I preach to our spa team are: Keep it simple, be consistent and always do your best. Keeping things simple provides a better opportunity to train well and deliver excellent service. If our teams are confident they can then provide better service and our guest will feel more relaxed and secure. Technology is also a core competency for Mandarin Oriental and behind the scenes we are fanatic at collecting and analyzing data. We have a dedicated finance and data management person in the spa corporate team that works to help provide the Spa Directors with accurate information. By improving our data analysis and measuring quality and finance we can allow the operations team to spend more time with the guests. This enables us to provide better service to our guests. It also provides information to help justify why we need specific facilities that might not be seen to generate revenue. [WT] Statistics indicate hotels in Asia Pacific closed out 2011 at a healthy 9.8% RevPAR growth over 2010, with Southeast Asia at a staggering 18.8%. Growth looks set to continue through 2013. How are the Spas at Mandarin Oriental positioned for growth in the coming years? 2012 is turning out to be a very unpredictable year. Nothing can be taken for granted and our teams have to work diligently and quickly to maintain business levels and control overheads. In 2009 we were very quick to react to the drop in hotel occupancies by focusing on local community use of the spas. With a global brand we are able to take best practices that work in one location and deploy them into other regions. Our spas are well positioned to cope with the uncertainty ahead. The operations teams are experienced, the systems are in place and we can react quickly to changes. We are continually striving to improve the guest experience and have a healthy level of competition amongst our spa directors to be the best in the company. With many new projects in Asia, Europe and the Middle East we are continuing to expand. In 2013 we shall have between 4 – 6 news spas to add to the portfolio. [WT] With the luxury travel industry becoming increasingly environmentally conscious, what is Mandarin Oriental’s position? Mandarin Oriental has many stories of sustainable practices throughout our properties. We have just published our strategy on sustainability. This report represents Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group’s collective accomplishments and programs to advance sustainability, to champion the communities in which we operate and to deliver excellence. It also illustrates challenges and opportunities for the future. For us, sustainability is about caring for the environment, now and for generations to come. In everything we do, we strive to create value for our stakeholders by enhancing environmental quality and the communities where we operate. As with anything we tackle we want to do it well. Wellness Today would like to thank Andrew Gibson for his generous participation in this interview. About Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the world's most prestigious hotels and resorts. The Group now operates, or has under development, 45 hotels representing almost 11,000 rooms in 28 countries, with 19 hotels in Asia, 13 in The Americas and 13 in Europe, Middle East and North Africa. In addition, the Group operates, or has under development, 14 Residences at Mandarin Oriental connected to its properties.

  • In English
  • Feature

  2012-09-10

• [Interview] Mr. Ingo Schweder, CEO of GOCO Hospitality

  Wellness Today has had the great pleasure of interviewing a true leader in the global spa & wellness industry. Ingo Schweder, the Founder and CEO of award-wining GOCO Hospitality was kind enough to share his thoughts on the global wellness industry. ▲ Mr. Ingo Schweder, CEO of GOCO Hospitality [WT] GOCO Hospitality, a unique name that caught my attention the first time I heard it. What’s the meaning behind the name? The company's name, GOCO Hospitality, combines two of the most important elements of the company: the acronym "GO" stands for traveling, movement, and energy, whereas "CO" is based on the word “consultancy”. GOCO’s projects are always authentic, reflect local cultures and traditions and strive to make a social impact in their community. This philosophy allows GOCO Hospitality to cross borders and create new discoveries while being innovative, visionary, and individual. Our vision is to “create, innovate, operate tomorrow’s hospitality concepts”. For us to be able to achieve this we carefully assess the market for each of our projects and ensure that we accurately read lifestyle trends, letting this learning influence our concept development. We like to create concepts that are not only appropriate for today’s guests, but also anticipate and answer the needs and demands of future guests. In all our projects we do not simply follow current trends, but try to continuously establish new ones that will lead the market. We also make sure to put our personal touch, a “thumbprint”, on all our projects. We put our heart into each concept we create, each hotel or spa we operate, ensuring that each is distinctively unique and is aligned with our and our client’s vision for the project. [WT] GOCO’s tag line, “Wellness Meets Wanderlust”. My first impression is that GOCO’s adding something new to the wellness industry. What’s behind the phrase? “Wellness Meets Wanderlust” is very much an extension of who we are, which is a consultancy and management company that focuses on where wellness and hospitality merge. Many of our team members have extensive experience in the field of hospitality, having worked with multinational hospitality greats including The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, and Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts, to name a few. Our team is also highly experienced in the spa and wellness field with credentials such as Ananda in the Himalayas, Six Senses Spas, and SHA Wellness Clinic. Thus, it only seemed natural that GOCO Hospitality’s tagline describe those strengths, where wellness meets the wanderlust of traveling/hospitality. “Wellness meets wanderlust” also describes the interests of our guests and clients, who are an emerging new group of travelers. These travelers are more than the seasoned world-traveler accustomed to five-star hospitality services and facilities. They have grown more and more interested in wellness and seek to experience a combination of the best wellness practices and facilities available today with discovering new destinations while enjoying the luxury of five-star hospitality. Again, this is “wellness meets wanderlust”. [WT] Congratulations on a couple big awards in the past year: Winner Best Spa Consultant at The Crystal Awards Asia Pacific 2011 Winner Best Spa Consultant Company of the Year from the SpaChina Awards 2011. Quite an achievement in a short period of time. GOCO’s vision and efforts certainly recognized throughout the industry. We are extremely proud and delighted to have been recognized as Best Spa Consultant. As a young company, to receive such recognition and trust from our industry peers, partners, clients, and consumers is truly remarkable. For that we express our heartfelt thanks and gratitude. Our success can be attributed to the following qualities that place us apart from the rest: Understanding the East In a time where major growth is taking place in the emerging markets of China and India, it serves any client well when the consulting company they take on is knowledgeable in these markets. GOCO is a multicultural company based in Bangkok, Thailand, with its team of 30 employees representing 11 different nationalities and holding countless years of experience in the Asia/ Pacific spa and hospitality market. With western knowledge and a heart of eastern values and sensibilities the GOCO team can relate well to clients from all regions of the world. Depth of Practical Experience Being at the helm of GOCO as CEO and founding partner and with my 25 years experience in tow, I have garnered a large network of hospitality professionals, which is continuously expanding. From this network I seek to form a team with individuals as passionate and driven as I, with expertise in all the arenas of service that GOCO provides. The GOCO team is comprised of handpicked global spa and hospitality professionals who have worked for leading hospitality companies around the world. This, combined with varied nationalities, education backgrounds, and professional qualifications, results in diverse skill sets and international experience allowing GOCO to offer our clients a high level of competence in a multitude of service areas. Premier Alliances At GOCO, we are very proud of the alliances we have made with some of the most talented and respected people and companies in the hospitality and wellness industries. We are proud to work with: Architects: ♦ Tadao Andao http://www.andotadao.org ♦ Sandy Pei http://www.peipartnership.com Interior Designers ♦ George Wong http://www.georgewongdesign.com ♦ Tony Chi http://www.tonychi.com ♦ Calvin Tsao www.tsao-mckown.com ♦ Matteo Thun www.matteothun.com ♦ P Interior & Associates (PIA) www.piainterior.com Landscape Artists: ♦ Bill Bensley www.bensley.com ♦ P Landscape www.plandscape.com Artists: ♦ Gregory Colbert www.ashesandsnow.org ♦ Vivienne Tam www.viviennetam.com Without these partners, our work would be far less unique and successful. Build based on Results GOCO’s work always begins with the end in mind. With the first step of completing detailed Market Research & Feasibility studies GOCO is able to meet the concerns of any investor or owner by forecasting the financial expectations as well as profit and return on investment a project will generate. Dedicated to Improving Service Levels GOCO provides training and service support that develops therapist skill levels to those of an international standard. Conducting such training programs supports the long term growth and advancement of the overall hospitality and wellness industry in terms of service level and guest experience. [WT] I’m particularly interested in GOCO’s big project in Ningbo, China - Xiangshan Hot Spring & Wellness Center. From the pre-release information, it appears to be a trend-setting site. As the center will open in the second half of 2013, what is your role with the site? We are very proud to be working on a benchmark property in Xiangshan, the GOCO Hot Spring & Wellness Center, which will introduce a concept new to China—oceanfront mineral springs thermal bathing, as a main feature. Targeted to open in August 2013, the GOCO Hot Spring & Wellness Center will cover an indoor area of 6,000 sq.m. and another 5,000 sq.m. for an outdoor mineral spring bathing area. The GOCO Hot Spring & Wellness Center will feature 24 treatment rooms, two luxury spa suites and one spa villa, as well as single gender and co-ed mineral springs bathing facilities with indoor and outdoor thermal experiences. Unique to the GOCO Hot Spring & Wellness Center will also be the medi-spa & weight management clinic, which will span across two dedicated floors with seven treatment suites for the extensive medi-spa treatments offered. GOCO Hospitality provided the following services: ▲ Market Research & Feasibility Studies ▲ Concept Development ▲ Technical And Pre-opening Services ▲ Management GOCO Hospitality is also responsible for the interior design of the spa. Architecture is by WATG, Hawaii Office, a world-renowned leading design consultant for the hospitality, leisure and entertainment industries. [WT] Wellness is a recent trend in the Spa industry. Where do you see the growth markets for Wellness? The growth of the spa and wellness industry has increased in all regions of the world, but the markets that have shown the greatest growth are undeniably China, India, and the Middle East. These regions enjoy growing economies and a population that has both the disposable income and the desire to invest in taking better care of their health by means other than conventional Western medical science. More and more people are questioning the validity of conventional Western medicine. Thus, the natural inclination for people to apply and utilize more traditional wellness modalities will further expand. This will lead to the development and growth of entire new product requirements, additional market niches will come up, and new supply chains will be established. In sum, this will open up a whole new growth segment for the industry. The spa consumer has become more and more sophisticated and will continue to increase their spa knowledge, defining their preferences and needs. The educated wellness consumer will be demanding services that are directed at the ultimate result they want to achieve. The often unsupported claims by spa and product companies of the supposed results their services and/or products will bring will be replaced by spa services or products which will have been developed from substantial academic and scientific research. The research will be drawn from ancient wellness traditions and new scientific discoveries, leading to services and products demonstrating such. Nations will put increased efforts behind the creation of wellness communities where a wide span of wellness services, hospitality, and real estate combine and celebrate the cultural symbiosis of the respective country. We can also expect to see growth in the number of innovative large-scale residential communities catering to particular lifestyle choices, whether they are created along the lines of preferred activities (wellness, golf, nature, etc.) or even ethnic or cultural nuances. [WT] GOCO is currently working on wellness projects on five continents. What is the number of different countries you’re currently working in? GOCO is currently working with hoteliers and developers on 23 wellness projects in 14 countries around the world. In the Asia-Pacific region alone, we are working on projects in the People’s Republic of China, South Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, India, Australia, and our home base, Thailand. From hotel spas to destination resorts and mixed-use developments, GOCO is involved in some of the most interesting and innovative projects active today. Our clientele range from individual investors to global hospitality brands. The majority of GOCO Hospitality’s business is made up of projects in the North and North East Asia regions, followed by South East Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. GOCO’s main markets for projects are: China forming 30% of the project location total, India with 15% and the Middle East at 15%, with nine countries forming the remaining 40%. [WT] You’ve done some work in South Korea. Are you able to share information on this wellness project? I was the Executive Assistant Manager at the Chosun Seoul Hotel from 1989 to 1991. During this time I gained an in-depth understanding of the South Korean market and the South Korean guest, which has proved to be immensely valuable in our work. GOCO Hospitality did a market research and feasibility study for the Lotte Retreat and Spa on Jeju Island. Designed to be one of the leading spa and wellness facilities in South Korea and immersing into the culture of Jeju, the spa facility at the Lotte Retreat and Spa will deliver the ultimate luxury experience. Spa treatments and activities are designed to enhance well-being and are specifically results-oriented. These include a medi-spa, several thermal experiences, detox programs, healthy cuisine, and a wide variety of exercise options. From well-appointed VIP treatment suites to a state-of-the-art sauna area, the spa facility will provide a truly authentic and unique service platform supported by cutting-edge design, the use and applications of local ingredients, wellness consultations, and tactile experiences combined to immerse spa guests into the ultimate state of wellness. [WT] 
How do you see South Korea in the Wellness Industry? South Korea is a growing market that presents many great opportunities for the wellness industry. There is great market demand yet the limited number of wellness facilities cannot adequately cater to the needs of the consumer in South Korea. According to Intelligent Spas – Asia Pacific Regional Report 2011, there are 50 registered spa facilities in South Korea, which generates $24 million of industry revenues, and employs about 750 people. Measuring by the industry revenues of seven growing spa markets, South Korea is ranked 3rd, after China ($75 million) and Japan ($50 million). The South Korean spa market is dominated by mineral or hot springs public bathhouses and saunas. Other facilities in these spas would include Jacuzzis, massage rooms, and relaxation lounges. These bathhouses can be as large as an entire building or occupying a large space in a department store. The popularity of bathhouses has grown with the South Korean consumer. The bathhouse is no longer seen as just a weekend or evening relaxation activity. It has now become a popular choice for couples on their date, for businessmen to entertain clients, even a must-visit place for foreign tourists. Another popular trend in the South Korean market is day spas and salons. As the awareness of self-appearance grows in the South Korean consumer, so does the number of day spas and salons that offer facial treatments as well as hair and nail services. South Korea’s fast-developing medical tourism is also a great boon for the country’s wellness industry. South Korea has solid IT infrastructure and revolutionary medical technology as well as skilled and experience medical practitioners. All these are contributing factors that could help improve the services and increase the number of medi-spas in the country. The South Korean consumer now is also more health-conscious, preferring to rely on preventative medicine, traditional medicine, and consuming naturally healthy or organic food. With the South Korean government taking measures to support the growth of the wellness industry as it has, the future looks bright and promising for investors, developers, and consumers alike. [WT] What are the website & contact points for GOCO? Our contact details are: GOCO Hospitality 2/4 Nai Lert Tower, Suite 47, 3F, Wireless Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330 Thailand Tel: +66 2 655 2323 E-mail: GOCO@GOCO.co URL: www.GOCO.co

  • In English
  • Feature

  2012-06-05

• [Interview] Mr. Ingo Schweder, CEO of GOCO Hospitality

  Wellness Today has had the great pleasure of interviewing a true leader in the global spa & wellness industry. Ingo Schweder, the Founder and CEO of award-wining GOCO Hospitality was kind enough to share his thoughts on the global wellness industry. ▲ Mr. Ingo Schweder, CEO of GOCO Hospitality [WT] GOCO Hospitality, a unique name that caught my attention the first time I heard it. What’s the meaning behind the name? The company's name, GOCO Hospitality, combines two of the most important elements of the company: the acronym "GO" stands for traveling, movement, and energy, whereas "CO" is based on the word “consultancy”. GOCO’s projects are always authentic, reflect local cultures and traditions and strive to make a social impact in their community. This philosophy allows GOCO Hospitality to cross borders and create new discoveries while being innovative, visionary, and individual. Our vision is to “create, innovate, operate tomorrow’s hospitality concepts”. For us to be able to achieve this we carefully assess the market for each of our projects and ensure that we accurately read lifestyle trends, letting this learning influence our concept development. We like to create concepts that are not only appropriate for today’s guests, but also anticipate and answer the needs and demands of future guests. In all our projects we do not simply follow current trends, but try to continuously establish new ones that will lead the market. We also make sure to put our personal touch, a “thumbprint”, on all our projects. We put our heart into each concept we create, each hotel or spa we operate, ensuring that each is distinctively unique and is aligned with our and our client’s vision for the project. [WT] GOCO’s tag line, “Wellness Meets Wanderlust”. My first impression is that GOCO’s adding something new to the wellness industry. What’s behind the phrase? “Wellness Meets Wanderlust” is very much an extension of who we are, which is a consultancy and management company that focuses on where wellness and hospitality merge. Many of our team members have extensive experience in the field of hospitality, having worked with multinational hospitality greats including The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, and Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts, to name a few. Our team is also highly experienced in the spa and wellness field with credentials such as Ananda in the Himalayas, Six Senses Spas, and SHA Wellness Clinic. Thus, it only seemed natural that GOCO Hospitality’s tagline describe those strengths, where wellness meets the wanderlust of traveling/hospitality. “Wellness meets wanderlust” also describes the interests of our guests and clients, who are an emerging new group of travelers. These travelers are more than the seasoned world-traveler accustomed to five-star hospitality services and facilities. They have grown more and more interested in wellness and seek to experience a combination of the best wellness practices and facilities available today with discovering new destinations while enjoying the luxury of five-star hospitality. Again, this is “wellness meets wanderlust”. [WT] Congratulations on a couple big awards in the past year: Winner Best Spa Consultant at The Crystal Awards Asia Pacific 2011 Winner Best Spa Consultant Company of the Year from the SpaChina Awards 2011. Quite an achievement in a short period of time. GOCO’s vision and efforts certainly recognized throughout the industry. We are extremely proud and delighted to have been recognized as Best Spa Consultant. As a young company, to receive such recognition and trust from our industry peers, partners, clients, and consumers is truly remarkable. For that we express our heartfelt thanks and gratitude. Our success can be attributed to the following qualities that place us apart from the rest: Understanding the East In a time where major growth is taking place in the emerging markets of China and India, it serves any client well when the consulting company they take on is knowledgeable in these markets. GOCO is a multicultural company based in Bangkok, Thailand, with its team of 30 employees representing 11 different nationalities and holding countless years of experience in the Asia/ Pacific spa and hospitality market. With western knowledge and a heart of eastern values and sensibilities the GOCO team can relate well to clients from all regions of the world. Depth of Practical Experience Being at the helm of GOCO as CEO and founding partner and with my 25 years experience in tow, I have garnered a large network of hospitality professionals, which is continuously expanding. From this network I seek to form a team with individuals as passionate and driven as I, with expertise in all the arenas of service that GOCO provides. The GOCO team is comprised of handpicked global spa and hospitality professionals who have worked for leading hospitality companies around the world. This, combined with varied nationalities, education backgrounds, and professional qualifications, results in diverse skill sets and international experience allowing GOCO to offer our clients a high level of competence in a multitude of service areas. Premier Alliances At GOCO, we are very proud of the alliances we have made with some of the most talented and respected people and companies in the hospitality and wellness industries. We are proud to work with: Architects: ♦ Tadao Andao http://www.andotadao.org ♦ Sandy Pei http://www.peipartnership.com Interior Designers ♦ George Wong http://www.georgewongdesign.com ♦ Tony Chi http://www.tonychi.com ♦ Calvin Tsao www.tsao-mckown.com ♦ Matteo Thun www.matteothun.com ♦ P Interior & Associates (PIA) www.piainterior.com Landscape Artists: ♦ Bill Bensley www.bensley.com ♦ P Landscape www.plandscape.com Artists: ♦ Gregory Colbert www.ashesandsnow.org ♦ Vivienne Tam www.viviennetam.com Without these partners, our work would be far less unique and successful. Build based on Results GOCO’s work always begins with the end in mind. With the first step of completing detailed Market Research & Feasibility studies GOCO is able to meet the concerns of any investor or owner by forecasting the financial expectations as well as profit and return on investment a project will generate. Dedicated to Improving Service Levels GOCO provides training and service support that develops therapist skill levels to those of an international standard. Conducting such training programs supports the long term growth and advancement of the overall hospitality and wellness industry in terms of service level and guest experience. [WT] I’m particularly interested in GOCO’s big project in Ningbo, China - Xiangshan Hot Spring & Wellness Center. From the pre-release information, it appears to be a trend-setting site. As the center will open in the second half of 2013, what is your role with the site? We are very proud to be working on a benchmark property in Xiangshan, the GOCO Hot Spring & Wellness Center, which will introduce a concept new to China—oceanfront mineral springs thermal bathing, as a main feature. Targeted to open in August 2013, the GOCO Hot Spring & Wellness Center will cover an indoor area of 6,000 sq.m. and another 5,000 sq.m. for an outdoor mineral spring bathing area. The GOCO Hot Spring & Wellness Center will feature 24 treatment rooms, two luxury spa suites and one spa villa, as well as single gender and co-ed mineral springs bathing facilities with indoor and outdoor thermal experiences. Unique to the GOCO Hot Spring & Wellness Center will also be the medi-spa & weight management clinic, which will span across two dedicated floors with seven treatment suites for the extensive medi-spa treatments offered. GOCO Hospitality provided the following services: ▲ Market Research & Feasibility Studies ▲ Concept Development ▲ Technical And Pre-opening Services ▲ Management GOCO Hospitality is also responsible for the interior design of the spa. Architecture is by WATG, Hawaii Office, a world-renowned leading design consultant for the hospitality, leisure and entertainment industries. [WT] Wellness is a recent trend in the Spa industry. Where do you see the growth markets for Wellness? The growth of the spa and wellness industry has increased in all regions of the world, but the markets that have shown the greatest growth are undeniably China, India, and the Middle East. These regions enjoy growing economies and a population that has both the disposable income and the desire to invest in taking better care of their health by means other than conventional Western medical science. More and more people are questioning the validity of conventional Western medicine. Thus, the natural inclination for people to apply and utilize more traditional wellness modalities will further expand. This will lead to the development and growth of entire new product requirements, additional market niches will come up, and new supply chains will be established. In sum, this will open up a whole new growth segment for the industry. The spa consumer has become more and more sophisticated and will continue to increase their spa knowledge, defining their preferences and needs. The educated wellness consumer will be demanding services that are directed at the ultimate result they want to achieve. The often unsupported claims by spa and product companies of the supposed results their services and/or products will bring will be replaced by spa services or products which will have been developed from substantial academic and scientific research. The research will be drawn from ancient wellness traditions and new scientific discoveries, leading to services and products demonstrating such. Nations will put increased efforts behind the creation of wellness communities where a wide span of wellness services, hospitality, and real estate combine and celebrate the cultural symbiosis of the respective country. We can also expect to see growth in the number of innovative large-scale residential communities catering to particular lifestyle choices, whether they are created along the lines of preferred activities (wellness, golf, nature, etc.) or even ethnic or cultural nuances. [WT] GOCO is currently working on wellness projects on five continents. What is the number of different countries you’re currently working in? GOCO is currently working with hoteliers and developers on 23 wellness projects in 14 countries around the world. In the Asia-Pacific region alone, we are working on projects in the People’s Republic of China, South Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, India, Australia, and our home base, Thailand. From hotel spas to destination resorts and mixed-use developments, GOCO is involved in some of the most interesting and innovative projects active today. Our clientele range from individual investors to global hospitality brands. The majority of GOCO Hospitality’s business is made up of projects in the North and North East Asia regions, followed by South East Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. GOCO’s main markets for projects are: China forming 30% of the project location total, India with 15% and the Middle East at 15%, with nine countries forming the remaining 40%. [WT] You’ve done some work in South Korea. Are you able to share information on this wellness project? I was the Executive Assistant Manager at the Chosun Seoul Hotel from 1989 to 1991. During this time I gained an in-depth understanding of the South Korean market and the South Korean guest, which has proved to be immensely valuable in our work. GOCO Hospitality did a market research and feasibility study for the Lotte Retreat and Spa on Jeju Island. Designed to be one of the leading spa and wellness facilities in South Korea and immersing into the culture of Jeju, the spa facility at the Lotte Retreat and Spa will deliver the ultimate luxury experience. Spa treatments and activities are designed to enhance well-being and are specifically results-oriented. These include a medi-spa, several thermal experiences, detox programs, healthy cuisine, and a wide variety of exercise options. From well-appointed VIP treatment suites to a state-of-the-art sauna area, the spa facility will provide a truly authentic and unique service platform supported by cutting-edge design, the use and applications of local ingredients, wellness consultations, and tactile experiences combined to immerse spa guests into the ultimate state of wellness. [WT] 
How do you see South Korea in the Wellness Industry? South Korea is a growing market that presents many great opportunities for the wellness industry. There is great market demand yet the limited number of wellness facilities cannot adequately cater to the needs of the consumer in South Korea. According to Intelligent Spas – Asia Pacific Regional Report 2011, there are 50 registered spa facilities in South Korea, which generates $24 million of industry revenues, and employs about 750 people. Measuring by the industry revenues of seven growing spa markets, South Korea is ranked 3rd, after China ($75 million) and Japan ($50 million). The South Korean spa market is dominated by mineral or hot springs public bathhouses and saunas. Other facilities in these spas would include Jacuzzis, massage rooms, and relaxation lounges. These bathhouses can be as large as an entire building or occupying a large space in a department store. The popularity of bathhouses has grown with the South Korean consumer. The bathhouse is no longer seen as just a weekend or evening relaxation activity. It has now become a popular choice for couples on their date, for businessmen to entertain clients, even a must-visit place for foreign tourists. Another popular trend in the South Korean market is day spas and salons. As the awareness of self-appearance grows in the South Korean consumer, so does the number of day spas and salons that offer facial treatments as well as hair and nail services. South Korea’s fast-developing medical tourism is also a great boon for the country’s wellness industry. South Korea has solid IT infrastructure and revolutionary medical technology as well as skilled and experience medical practitioners. All these are contributing factors that could help improve the services and increase the number of medi-spas in the country. The South Korean consumer now is also more health-conscious, preferring to rely on preventative medicine, traditional medicine, and consuming naturally healthy or organic food. With the South Korean government taking measures to support the growth of the wellness industry as it has, the future looks bright and promising for investors, developers, and consumers alike. [WT] What are the website & contact points for GOCO? Our contact details are: GOCO Hospitality 2/4 Nai Lert Tower, Suite 47, 3F, Wireless Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330 Thailand Tel: +66 2 655 2323 E-mail: GOCO@GOCO.co URL: www.GOCO.co

  • In English
  • Feature

  2012-06-05

• [Interview] Mr. Andrew Jacka, Executive Director of APSWC

  We're fortunate to have the opportunity to chat with a leading Asia-based Spa & Wellness advocate, Andrew Jacka. As Executive Director of the Asia Pacific Spa & Wellness Coalition, President of the Thai Spa Association and the Director of Spa Origins, he is a valuable industry resource who has able to spend a bit of time with Wellness Today. [WT] Asia Pacific Spa & Wellness Coalition (APSWC) is a non-profit organization that supports spa & wellness associations in Asia-Pacific. How does APSWC benefit the regional industry as a whole? The Asia-Pacific Spa & Wellness Coalition (APSWC) was formed in March ’06 – the result of an informal roundtable where 76 industry professionals from across the region gathered in Singapore to map out a development strategy to improve and promote the spa industry for the benefit of all. The roundtable was initiated by the heads of spa associations with a view to bringing the region together; to identify common problems and opportunities, and find ways to improve the business for all. APSWC was officially registered as an association in Singapore in July 2007, with the mission: to act as a bridging mechanism between countries to promote, protect, educate, and develop the spa & wellness industry in the Asia-Pacific region. Since its launch, the Asia-Pacific Spa & Wellness Coalition (APSWC) has grown in size and reputation and now unites 16 associations across 14 countries, with a network extending around the globe. It is a regional body which links the national spa associations of the Asia-Pacific nations. The Coalition (formerly Council) was formed to meet the challenges presented by the evolution and growth of the Asian Pacific spa industry. In addition to gathering and communicating market information and resources, APSWC's planned activities for the region include: identifying and recommending appropriate standards, training resources, and performance benchmarks and establishing a code and best practices format to be adopted throughout the region. Working across a multitude of time zones, with language and cultural issues, and spa industries in varying stages of growth and development, has been a distinct challenge. The regional spa industry events that enabled board members to meet regularly in the early years have all but dissipated, making it even more difficult to maintain the momentum of the coalition. The initial five task forces of People, Products, Planet, Profit and Professionalization has grown to include Traditional Therapies, but the global challenges of recent years has taken its toll, and these are not currently as active as anticipated, however with a planned revamp of our website to make it more interactive my mid 2012, together with the employment of a Secretariat, the coalition will be introducing a paid membership scheme, and will be reviewing its structural and strategic focus as we move forward in an ever changing world. In 2011, together with our strategic research partner, Intelligent Spas, the APSWC initiated the first ever regional research across all 42 Asia Pacific Countries. The full media release of this report can be viewed at:http://www.intelligentspas.com/MediaReleases/News_Release_Regional_Spa_Industry_Report_Asia_Pacific_Apr_2011.asp. The report will be expanded in 2013 with more details, and will include research on the Indian spa market also. The primary focus of the APSWC in keeping with our mission is our Strategic Planning Forum. This ‘by invitation only’ event has been held annually (except in 2012), with delegates from over 20 countries attending to collectively establish a strategic plan for our regional industry. 1st APSWC Spa Forum - Bali, 2007 2nd APSWC Spa Forum – Kuala Lumpur, 2008 3rd APSWC Spa Forum - Bangkok, 2009 4th APSWC Spa Forum – Bangkok, 2010 5th APSWC Spa Forum – Phuket, 2011 6th APSWC Spa Forum – planned for Bangkok, March, 2013 The APSWC has also conducted Spa Study Tours, organizing and escorting 20 spa industry professionals to Nepal in 2009 and more than 30 to Bhutan in 2011. The frequency of these study tours is expected to increase from 2012 as we seek to outsource the planning of these to a strategic partner. The APSWC has been nominated by the AsiaSpa Awards Committee for Spa Association of Year for the past six years, taking out the award in 2006, 2009 and 2010. [WT] The spa & wellness industry has experienced significant growth in recent years. Can the industry sustain similar growth in the coming years? We have already seen a slowing on growth in the mature spa markets, such as Philippines, Thailand & Singapore, but this is only to be expected. Industry growth rates of over 20% annually while to be expected for any new industry that is expanding rapidly, are not stainable in the long term, as saturation or near saturation points are reached. Having said this, there are countries in Asia Pacific (Myanmar, Brunei, Palau etc.), and other parts of the world (i.e. Africa), where spa is still a relatively new phenomenon, and therefore there is plenty of opportunity for growth, or even the development of a unique spa culture in these countries, instead of the ‘International spa culture’, which most countries have adopted. For those that seek to explore the historical basis of their health and wellness traditions, and who are able to ethically incorporate or adopt these into the local spa industry, will be able to continue to enjoy significant growth rates for years to come. Having said this, obviously growth in developing countries for a (healthcare) industry that is still seen as ‘luxury indulgence’ is going to be slow unless it can market itself as a little more ‘mainstream’. Ultimately there is always the opportunity for any entrepreneur who is providing something different to the market place, and with continued promotion of education, standards and innovation within the existing industry, there continues the opportunity for growth, but not at the rate of years past. [WT] Are there certain high-growth markets to watch? In the Asia Pacific region, China and India are definite growth markets, especially China, where there is a strong traditional massage and health care industry, you can reasonably expect a unique Chinese spa concept to emerge in the coming years. Presently new spas in China being operated in hotels are following the international spa model, so will be interesting to see if there really is the development of a Chinese spa concept, of if the industry takes the easy road. Similar opportunities exist in India, where Ayurveda has been exploited by the global spa industry. Reality is coming into play and the understanding that Ayurveda is much more than stream of oil on your forehead or oiling massage – there is a deeper understanding that needs to be reached to appreciate the culture, heritage, knowledge and intuition that this healthcare regime embodies. Therefore development of an Ayurvedic free Indian spa culture as a support for a long established Ayurvedic industry is also a possibility. Other smaller countries, such as Brunei, Myanmar will reasonably see high growth in the coming year, but with small populations, will probably be not be considered serious players in the global spa industry. The strong interest out of Africa (especially Kenya) is likely to continue, with the Caribbean being a bit of a dark horse in the race for industry dominance. Their “world’s largest spa” tourism campaign is sure to turn a few heads. [WT] What are the current trends in the industry? Trends are often talked about, but when you look back they are usually the same subject, just remarket to be ‘new’. The consumers are becoming more educated, and spa operators have to become more educated also. Some consumers are starting to ask questions about the scientific basis of treatments – is there are real health benefit or is it all about the ‘placebo’ effect? The world of natural and organic, still a consumers nightmare of poor labeling, deceitful marketers and blatantly wrong information will change, as consumers start to question what is the product that is being applied to their skin “to absorb”, with the desire to indigenous or ‘everything local’ also remains strong. Over all of this, the biggest trend (not only in the spa industry) is the development of consciousness of environmental issues. [WT] There have been a areas that have been successful in promoting wellness tourism. Thailand and Bali come to mind. Are there other markets that have been successful promoting inbound spa wellness tourism? For medical tourism, Malaysia, Singapore, India, Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia are big players in the region, but it is only Thailand and Bali that have expanded this into the wellness tourism sector – primarily due to their strong traditional health care practices, warm sunny climate and high level of hospitality, that give them a marketing edge. [WT] Who can join APSWC? Currently only spa & wellness industry associations are able to join (free of charge), but we are seeking to establish a paid membership platform shortly and open it up to companies and individuals that wish to join. Interested persons can register for FUSE our free quarterly enews athttp://www.apswc.org/malinglist.htm with other marketing and membership features being expanded once we have relaunched our website. [WT] What is the point of contact for those who are interested in further information about APSWC? For more information about the APSWC, you can submit your enquiry via the APSWC website (www.apswc.org), or you can send an email direct to info@apswc.org or secretary@apswc.org or chairman@apswc.org and if we cannot answer the query, we will forward to one of our colleagues who can. * Wellness Today would like to thank Andrew Jacka for his valuable input into this story.

  • In English
  • Feature

  2012-05-26

• [Interview] Mr. Andrew Jacka, Executive Director of APSWC

  We're fortunate to have the opportunity to chat with a leading Asia-based Spa & Wellness advocate, Andrew Jacka. As Executive Director of the Asia Pacific Spa & Wellness Coalition, President of the Thai Spa Association and the Director of Spa Origins, he is a valuable industry resource who has able to spend a bit of time with Wellness Today. [WT] Asia Pacific Spa & Wellness Coalition (APSWC) is a non-profit organization that supports spa & wellness associations in Asia-Pacific. How does APSWC benefit the regional industry as a whole? The Asia-Pacific Spa & Wellness Coalition (APSWC) was formed in March ’06 – the result of an informal roundtable where 76 industry professionals from across the region gathered in Singapore to map out a development strategy to improve and promote the spa industry for the benefit of all. The roundtable was initiated by the heads of spa associations with a view to bringing the region together; to identify common problems and opportunities, and find ways to improve the business for all. APSWC was officially registered as an association in Singapore in July 2007, with the mission: to act as a bridging mechanism between countries to promote, protect, educate, and develop the spa & wellness industry in the Asia-Pacific region. Since its launch, the Asia-Pacific Spa & Wellness Coalition (APSWC) has grown in size and reputation and now unites 16 associations across 14 countries, with a network extending around the globe. It is a regional body which links the national spa associations of the Asia-Pacific nations. The Coalition (formerly Council) was formed to meet the challenges presented by the evolution and growth of the Asian Pacific spa industry. In addition to gathering and communicating market information and resources, APSWC's planned activities for the region include: identifying and recommending appropriate standards, training resources, and performance benchmarks and establishing a code and best practices format to be adopted throughout the region. Working across a multitude of time zones, with language and cultural issues, and spa industries in varying stages of growth and development, has been a distinct challenge. The regional spa industry events that enabled board members to meet regularly in the early years have all but dissipated, making it even more difficult to maintain the momentum of the coalition. The initial five task forces of People, Products, Planet, Profit and Professionalization has grown to include Traditional Therapies, but the global challenges of recent years has taken its toll, and these are not currently as active as anticipated, however with a planned revamp of our website to make it more interactive my mid 2012, together with the employment of a Secretariat, the coalition will be introducing a paid membership scheme, and will be reviewing its structural and strategic focus as we move forward in an ever changing world. In 2011, together with our strategic research partner, Intelligent Spas, the APSWC initiated the first ever regional research across all 42 Asia Pacific Countries. The full media release of this report can be viewed at:http://www.intelligentspas.com/MediaReleases/News_Release_Regional_Spa_Industry_Report_Asia_Pacific_Apr_2011.asp. The report will be expanded in 2013 with more details, and will include research on the Indian spa market also. The primary focus of the APSWC in keeping with our mission is our Strategic Planning Forum. This ‘by invitation only’ event has been held annually (except in 2012), with delegates from over 20 countries attending to collectively establish a strategic plan for our regional industry. 1st APSWC Spa Forum - Bali, 2007 2nd APSWC Spa Forum – Kuala Lumpur, 2008 3rd APSWC Spa Forum - Bangkok, 2009 4th APSWC Spa Forum – Bangkok, 2010 5th APSWC Spa Forum – Phuket, 2011 6th APSWC Spa Forum – planned for Bangkok, March, 2013 The APSWC has also conducted Spa Study Tours, organizing and escorting 20 spa industry professionals to Nepal in 2009 and more than 30 to Bhutan in 2011. The frequency of these study tours is expected to increase from 2012 as we seek to outsource the planning of these to a strategic partner. The APSWC has been nominated by the AsiaSpa Awards Committee for Spa Association of Year for the past six years, taking out the award in 2006, 2009 and 2010. [WT] The spa & wellness industry has experienced significant growth in recent years. Can the industry sustain similar growth in the coming years? We have already seen a slowing on growth in the mature spa markets, such as Philippines, Thailand & Singapore, but this is only to be expected. Industry growth rates of over 20% annually while to be expected for any new industry that is expanding rapidly, are not stainable in the long term, as saturation or near saturation points are reached. Having said this, there are countries in Asia Pacific (Myanmar, Brunei, Palau etc.), and other parts of the world (i.e. Africa), where spa is still a relatively new phenomenon, and therefore there is plenty of opportunity for growth, or even the development of a unique spa culture in these countries, instead of the ‘International spa culture’, which most countries have adopted. For those that seek to explore the historical basis of their health and wellness traditions, and who are able to ethically incorporate or adopt these into the local spa industry, will be able to continue to enjoy significant growth rates for years to come. Having said this, obviously growth in developing countries for a (healthcare) industry that is still seen as ‘luxury indulgence’ is going to be slow unless it can market itself as a little more ‘mainstream’. Ultimately there is always the opportunity for any entrepreneur who is providing something different to the market place, and with continued promotion of education, standards and innovation within the existing industry, there continues the opportunity for growth, but not at the rate of years past. [WT] Are there certain high-growth markets to watch? In the Asia Pacific region, China and India are definite growth markets, especially China, where there is a strong traditional massage and health care industry, you can reasonably expect a unique Chinese spa concept to emerge in the coming years. Presently new spas in China being operated in hotels are following the international spa model, so will be interesting to see if there really is the development of a Chinese spa concept, of if the industry takes the easy road. Similar opportunities exist in India, where Ayurveda has been exploited by the global spa industry. Reality is coming into play and the understanding that Ayurveda is much more than stream of oil on your forehead or oiling massage – there is a deeper understanding that needs to be reached to appreciate the culture, heritage, knowledge and intuition that this healthcare regime embodies. Therefore development of an Ayurvedic free Indian spa culture as a support for a long established Ayurvedic industry is also a possibility. Other smaller countries, such as Brunei, Myanmar will reasonably see high growth in the coming year, but with small populations, will probably be not be considered serious players in the global spa industry. The strong interest out of Africa (especially Kenya) is likely to continue, with the Caribbean being a bit of a dark horse in the race for industry dominance. Their “world’s largest spa” tourism campaign is sure to turn a few heads. [WT] What are the current trends in the industry? Trends are often talked about, but when you look back they are usually the same subject, just remarket to be ‘new’. The consumers are becoming more educated, and spa operators have to become more educated also. Some consumers are starting to ask questions about the scientific basis of treatments – is there are real health benefit or is it all about the ‘placebo’ effect? The world of natural and organic, still a consumers nightmare of poor labeling, deceitful marketers and blatantly wrong information will change, as consumers start to question what is the product that is being applied to their skin “to absorb”, with the desire to indigenous or ‘everything local’ also remains strong. Over all of this, the biggest trend (not only in the spa industry) is the development of consciousness of environmental issues. [WT] There have been a areas that have been successful in promoting wellness tourism. Thailand and Bali come to mind. Are there other markets that have been successful promoting inbound spa wellness tourism? For medical tourism, Malaysia, Singapore, India, Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia are big players in the region, but it is only Thailand and Bali that have expanded this into the wellness tourism sector – primarily due to their strong traditional health care practices, warm sunny climate and high level of hospitality, that give them a marketing edge. [WT] Who can join APSWC? Currently only spa & wellness industry associations are able to join (free of charge), but we are seeking to establish a paid membership platform shortly and open it up to companies and individuals that wish to join. Interested persons can register for FUSE our free quarterly enews athttp://www.apswc.org/malinglist.htm with other marketing and membership features being expanded once we have relaunched our website. [WT] What is the point of contact for those who are interested in further information about APSWC? For more information about the APSWC, you can submit your enquiry via the APSWC website (www.apswc.org), or you can send an email direct to info@apswc.org or secretary@apswc.org or chairman@apswc.org and if we cannot answer the query, we will forward to one of our colleagues who can. * Wellness Today would like to thank Andrew Jacka for his valuable input into this story.

  • In English
  • Feature

  2012-05-26