Positive growths of spa industry seen

INDUSTRY players of spa and wellness centers in Davao City are bullish on the market as there are indications of increasing growth in such business here.
Fides Castaneda-Bernabe, operator of Pressure Points, who is also president of Davao Spa and Wellness Association (DavWell) said they noted a continuing growth and the increasing number of spa businesses in the city.
Bernabe is a licensed therapist with accreditation issued by the Department of Health (DoH) as well as holder of a certification after completing a four-month course handled by the British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology through the Confederation of International Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (CIBTAC).
Out of over a hundred spa businesses in Davao City, Bernabe said there are only 40 accredited members of DavWell.
Bernabe told business reporters at the Davao Business Forum at dermPath, SM City that once a member of DavWell they must follow standards. She said DavWell make sure centers are safe, clean and also a legitimate business operator with approved business permits issued by the Business Bureau.
“We wanted that the operations of all our members are legitimate,” she said.
Spa business here varies from small to large, she said, but no matter what size of spa one operates it must follow and implement the law governing the spa operation.
Although they are allowed until 2017 for their therapist to comply accreditation with DOH thru a licensure exam, she said they already implemented the other requirements of their therapist having been accredited by the Technical Education School Development Authority (TESDA) and also their staff enrolled in training institutions for massage and therapy.
“I cannot speak for spa operations outside of here but I know that Davao spas (under DavWell) obey and implement the laws governing spa operations,” she said, adding that they do random monitoring of their member-spas.
“What is good with our association is that we help each other and agreed that we do not pirate workers but rather assist them to improve on their performance,” she said.
She said availing spa services has become a lifestyle with 75 percent of spa goers are mostly males under the working class and up.
Meanwhile, Bernabe said they have joined the Visit Davao Fun Sale taking the opportunity that wellness and spa is part of the destinations in Davao.
She said it will be a great exposure for them through continuing promotion as visitors both domestic and foreign could also avail of their promo offerings like the Madayaw Massage for only P100 for 30 minutes.
There will be other promos that our spa members offer but it varies from one spa to another. Pressure Points for instance, Bernabe said they offer massage for free for one person for a group of four. She said their client gets a welcome cold drink and a cold face towel upon arrival and once services are completed the customer is offered a hot face towel and treated to a hot tea.
Events like the Fun Sale is an avenue that will help them improve on their operation and services, she added. (PNA)