Spa and Hotel news from SpaCast.com. Part of Spa Index Media Network.

IMC launches new International Spa Consultant Chapter

A collection of 14 seasoned spa industry business consultants was officially inducted into IMC USA and received its charter as the International Spa Chapter at IMC's annual conference in Reno, NV. The group forged an alliance with the IMC when it realized the tremendous strength and value of this 43-year old professional association dedicated to excellence and ethics in management consulting. The founding members of the Spa Consultant Chapter each possess over 10 years of experience consulting within the spa industry, and many more years of working in the fields of beauty, hospitality, wellness and fitness.

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South African Spa Association Media Resource

The South African Spa Association aims to assist the media wherever possible with its inquiries on statistics, comments on articles, editorial and lists of accredited spas. Formed in 2007, the association acts as an ambassador for the spa industry, with representation in all aspects, such as health and wellness, tourism and hospitality, education and training.

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India Spas limber up for expansion in 2010

The country is likely to have more than 2,000 spas by the end of 2010, up from just 200. The wellness industry is alive and kicking in India and nothing demonstrates this better than the hyper-activity in the spa business.

Consider this: Hyderabad-based O2 Spas, which has set up shop at the Delhi and Mumbai airports, is now delivering spa therapies to offices. Weight loss and beauty specialists Vandana Luthra Curls and Curves (VLCC) is developing a residential medical spa in Gurgaon at an investment of Rs 100 crore. Delhi-based Spas India Private Limited, a subsidiary of Canadian Spas Worldwide, wants to expand from its single spa in Delhi to 10 more cities, Bangalore and Mumbai among them.

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2009 called 'the worst downtown in our lifetimes' for Greater Phoenix spa resorts and hotels

When the owner of the luxury Phoenician resort reported year-end financial results, no negatives were spared in summing up the state of the hotel industry last year.

"For the lodging business, 2009 was the worst downturn in our lifetimes," Frits van Paasschen, chief executive officer of lodging giant Starwood Hotels and Resorts, said last week. "Even a tepid recovery will feel good."

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