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

Spa Vendor Spotlight: Spa Management Consultants

Institute of Management Consultants - Spa Chapter
The Institute of Management Consultant's  Spa / Hospitality Chapter is a virtual community whose members provide marketing, management, design, operations and other consulting services to spa and hospitality clientele.

Browse Additional SpaWire Vendor Resources

Middle East Spas stripped down to enable profitability.

Spas have become an indispensable component of top hotels in recent years. This is true not only in terms of the perceived glamour and sophistication of spas, but more importantly, of compliance with classification authorities across our region, for whom this box must be ticked to merit a five-star badge.

Despite this trend, less than half the spas in the Middle East are in fact profitable. That is the assertion of Jo Clare, director of Spa Solutions, a consulting firm founded in Dubai in 2001, whose project portfolio includes spa hotels from Armani to The Address and Marriott to Le Méridien

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Recession hasn't decreased demand for #massage therapists

It’s one of the ironies of the Great Recession. Even as Michigan’s long and deep economic downturn generates plenty of stress, many laid-off workers are finding new careers as massage therapists.  Despite the poor economy, demand for massage therapists is still holding strong, thanks to hiring by hospitals, chiropractic offices, nursing homes and others.

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Updated! Spa Themed Twitter Lists

By popular request!  Our readers asked and we are happy to oblige. SpaIndex.com (publisher of SpaCast) previously tweeted its @SpaIndex #FollowFriday theme of Twitter users who are making use of  Twitter's "List Feature."  We've been asked to share our growing collection of "Twitter's Top Spa List Creators" and Spa Related Twitter Lists.  

Browsing another user's spa list is a great way to find new spa enthusists and providers in greater numbers than is permitted by the #FollowFriday trend, and by "following the list" itself you may review all tweets from the listed users in one session.

As the list feature on Twitter continues to gain popularity, and we receive your tips via Twitter, we'll enhance this list -- just let us know if you or your peers have created a spa related "Twitter List" by following and tweeting us @spaindex. *

TWITTER USERS WITH SPA-RELATED LISTS:

• http://www.twitter.com/SpaIndex
• http://twitter.com/MoreSpaTraffic/spas
• http://twitter.com/amarotto/spa-beauty-wellness
• http://twitter.com/beautycounter/spas
• http://twitter.com/beijingfairmont/spa
• http://twitter.com/blackrockspa/spas
• http://twitter.com/CranwellResort/spa
• http://twitter.com/Crash905/spa
• http://twitter.com/CrystalSprings/spa
• http://twitter.com/DaydreamMassage/massage-spa-wellness
• http://twitter.com/DeaconDoesDC/spas
• http://twitter.com/DestinationSpa/destination-spas
• http://twitter.com/dfiske/spaworld
• http://twitter.com/entre2nuages/worldspas
• http://twitter.com/futureclaw/hair-salons-and-spas
• http://twitter.com/GadaboutSalons/beauty-spa-fashion
• http://twitter.com/girlsgetaway/women-tours-spas-etc
• http://twitter.com/JewelsBG/spa-industry
• http://twitter.com/Kivivi/spas
• http://twitter.com/LookingGood_YYZ/spa
• http://twitter.com/MarktheSpaman/spa-luminaries
• http://twitter.com/meritageresort/spa
• http://twitter.com/monicaholbrook/yoga-spa
• http://twitter.com/MoxieAZSpaGirl/spa-peeps
• http://twitter.com/NancyHurst/resorts-spas-lodges
• http://twitter.com/Nemacolin/spa-world
• http://twitter.com/oseamalibu/spas-that-rock
• http://twitter.com/phreshspasalon/spasalonindustry
• http://twitter.com/sabahk/spas
• http://twitter.com/Sean1974/spa
• http://twitter.com/ShockConsult/hair-beauty-spa
• http://twitter.com/SpaFinder/spafinder-readers-choice
  
• http://twitter.com/SpaMaven/spa-boston
• http://twitter.com/swimmerpoet/spas
• http://twitter.com/TalkSpas/spas
• http://twitter.com/ThalgoUSA/spa-industry
• http://twitter.com/Wahanda/spas
• http://twitter.com/WantToGoTravel/all-things-spa
• http://twitter.com/WellnessTravel/wellness-travel
• http://twitter.com/worldbellydance/spa
• http://twitter.com/ypNYC/nyc-spas-salons/
• http://twitter.com/azspagirls/arizona-spas

Newest Additions!

• http://twitter.com/BikiniKitty/spa-beauty
• http://twitter.com/InnatTheForks/hotel-and-spa
• http://twitter.com/JewelsBG/spa-industry
• http://twitter.com/Kokokahn/spa-news
• http://twitter.com/LookingGood_YYZ/spa
• http://twitter.com/mainelementlove/spaservices
• http://twitter.com/Makeover_Diva/spaahs
• http://twitter.com/mikulsky/spa-salon-hotel
• http://twitter.com/MySkinConcierge/spa
• http://twitter.com/ORGANICLUXURY/spa
• http://twitter.com/phreshspasalon/spasalonindustry
• http://twitter.com/soapguy/spa
• http://twitter.com/ShockConsult/hair-beauty-spa
• http://twitter.com/SpaConsulting/spa-associations
• http://twitter.com/steamtherapy/travel-spas
• http://twitter.com/TalismanStudios/spas-and-salons
• http://twitter.com/TravelinKaty/spa
• http://twitter.com/VistaMassageSpa/massage-spa-wellness
• http://twitter.com/WantToGoTravel/all-things-spa
• http://twitter.com/WaxBarSalon/salon-spa-beauty
• http://twitter.com/WDSpa/spas
• http://twitter.com/w3giftcards/salons-spa

*Inclusion in SpaCast's Twitter Spa Lists is subject to approval.

Spa STAR report: Average spa treatment rate is US$146

Luxury spa participants in the Spa STAR performance report continued to show declining performance metrics through the third quarter of 2009, according to data released by STR. Through September year-to-date, the Average Treatment Rate (ATR) for the participating spas was US$146, a decline of 10 percent from the first nine months of 2008. For the same time frame the Average Daily Rate (ADR) for luxury hotels tracked by STR decreased 17 percent to US$240.

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SpaCast: Oakworks launches "breast comfort system" on its Utopian Massage Tables

OAKWORKS®, Inc., the premier U.S. manufacturer of spa, massage, and medical equipment, today announced the launch of the Utopian Massage Table with patent pending ABC System, the revolutionary new Adjustable Breast Comfort System designed by Rebecca Savich, President of Contour Table Systems.

Read the Press Release

More on the closing of Iatria Day Spa NC; Gift Certificate Issues

Raleigh, North Carolina

Marilyn Hernandez loves to enjoy a day at the spa. She said she goes to de-stress and get pampered.

"Who doesn't like to get pampered?" she asked. So when it comes to getting gifts, her husband treats her well."My husband always gets me gift certificates for Iatria every year," Hernandez explained.

The Iatria Day Spa  was her favorite spa until its owner recently shut down all locations without notice."I was upset because no one was notified of closing, website down, phone disconnected," she said. "I called all three locations." Hernandez has unused gift certificates she didn't know what to do with.

"They're not cheap, and we all have balances on them or we have new ones that have not been used," she explained. The good news is R.O.i Salon in Raleigh has stepped up to help."I've been in the industry 20 years, and I couldn't imagine holding a gift certificate and the place closing down especially in the increments we've seen coming through our doors anywhere from $100 to $1,300" R.O.i Salon owner Roi Parker said.

R.O.i is honoring Iatria gift certificates dollar for dollar. While the salon doesn't offer messages, it does offer nail, hair and skin services.  Customers with Iatria gift certificates should be patient. Since the salon closed, R.O.i has had 750 calls and will continue to honor certificates dollar for dollar as long as they are not expired.

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New company Luxury Guest Services aims to improve guest experiences

Luxury Guest Services improves upon the guest experience and creates new revenue stream with custom in-room services tailored to match your hotel’s brand

Asheville, NC – Industry veterans announced the creation of Luxury Guest Services (LGS), a new spa and hospitality company dedicated to developing specialized experiences for hotel guests. This Asheville, NC -based company designs customized in-room programming for hotels so their guests can order a luxurious sensory treatment, have it presented in exquisite fashion at their door and then enjoy the benefits in the privacy of their beautiful accommodation. General categories of experiences include guided meditation, motion, pre-sleep rituals, bathing journeys, jet lag recovery, romance and more.
 
LGS is the brainchild of innovative hospitality leaders with decades of experience in the hospitality industry and branding. The company seeks to fully understand the guest experience ambitions of luxury hoteliers, convert those ambitions into custom turn-key programs, and then execute them in a way that improves the guest experience and strengthens each property’s brand identity. LGS currently has projects in Chicago, Atlanta, Asheville, West Virginia and Bali.
 
“Our company creates authentic sensory experiences for hoteliers to provide to their guests. These spa-like experiences engage all of the senses and are customized to deeply connect the guest with your brand,” said John Atwood, founding partner of LGS. “In addition to building guest loyalty, these experiences provide an entirely new revenue stream that hoteliers have not previously enjoyed without additional staff or overhead.”
 
Atwood has been deeply involved in the hospitality and spa market for seven years, holding key roles with industry leading companies such as Universal Companies (the largest broad-spectrum supplier to the spa industry) and WTS International (the largest spa and fitness operator in the western hemisphere). He has also partnered with Ilana Craig and Christina Stratton – owners of Innovative Spa Management and Privai Academy – to execute creation of custom spa treatments for each client. Craig and Stratton are also sought-after spa industry speakers and published authors.
 
With this tough economy, Atwood noted, many hoteliers have understandably fallen into defensive strategies. However, with the aid of Luxury Guest Services, innovative hoteliers can set themselves apart from their competitors by offering a distinct experience that exceeds guest expectations and strengthens their market position. To ensure long-term accountability, the company offers its services in exchange for a percentage of the new revenues generated from the customized services.
 
Luxury Guest Services works to develop a deep understanding of each client’s property, including key demographics, brand initiatives and goals, and local and regional influences that drive guest activities. With this knowledge, LGS then designs a menu of in-room guest activities that tie into the hotelier’s brand and ambitions. Once the menu is complete, LGS sources products and presentation supplies, writes SOP’s and training materials, selects music, recommends accompanying food items and creates guest guidance protocols. In addition, ongoing training is provided to key staff to ensure outstanding execution and guest experiences are updated to reflect seasonality and maximize the guest value.
 
For more information about Luxury Guest Services, visit our website at http://www.luxurygs.com/ or call John Atwood in his Virginia office at 276-739-7772.
 

Twitter Reference Guide to ISPA Conference Expo 2009 (#ISPA09)

SpaIndex.com: Guide to Day Spas and Stay Spas (@SpaIndex) has compiled a Twitter Users Quick Reference Guide to the International Spa Association 2009  Conference & Expo underway in Austin Texas  (October 5 through October 8 2009).

All things #ISPA09:
@ISpaDoYou @LynneMcNees @livespa @spagal2009 @melissajriley @PulseMagazine

#ISPA09 Hotels:
@lakeaustinspa @TheCrossingsATX @FSAustin @bartoncreekstay @HiltonAustin

#ISPA09: Speakers:
@GuyKawasaki @Bertice_Berry @Lancearmstrong @zappos @jeremygutsche

#ISPA09: Austin Spas:
@VisitLostPines @milkandhoneyspa @BartonCreekSpa @lakeaustinspa @SpaReveil

#ISPA09: Guides:
@CenterdinAustin @VisitAustinTX @Austin_Monthly @austin360music and lastly: @dfiske

Leading Spas of Canada New Online Directory

With close to 3,000 spas, the Canadian spa experience is as interesting and appealing as the beautiful and varied landscape that stretches coast to coast from British Columbia to Newfoundland. 

As Canada’s national spa organization, Leading Spas of Canada has produced a beautiful, full-color printed directory boasting colorful photographs, detailed descriptions of spa treatments and experiences, alongside listings of their proud spa members.

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