Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, president of the Republic of Mauritius and a biodiversity scientist, highlighted wellness as a key industry opportunity in her opening speech at the first continent-wide spa conference in Africa in late September.
“Spas and wellness centres have a big future ahead,” she said. “But they should repackage existing offerings and develop new ones to define and market spas as a wellness necessity – especially by drawing on traditional, cultural-based therapies...
“There’s also a strong need to build a body of evidence-based consumer research that connects spa with wellness.”
Gurib-Fakim was talking at the inaugural annual show for the Spa & Wellness Association of Africa (SWAA). The two day event, held at the gorgeous Lux Belle Mare resort in Mauritius, attracted 60 spa operator and supplier delegates from nine countries across Africa. The show is a milestone achievement for SWAA, an organisation set up in 2010 to support the development of the sector on the continent.
Made in Africa Many discussions over the two days focused on promoting home-grown talent. SWAA president Elaine Okeke-Martin, who’s passionate about raising the profile of spas in Africa, said: “African countries have so much to show the world and I think the SWAA is their platform to showcase what each country can offer in terms of wellness and traditional healing.
“Some spa owners in Africa will continue to look to the west and redo what’s been done but some will create a format that actually fits with African lifestyle expectations. I think these ‘made in Africa’ spas will deliver services compatible with people’s beliefs, allowing the authenticity to shine through, entice and inspire the rest of the world.”
In fact, research shows Africa is the fastest growing region for spa and wellness even though it’s most often overlooked. According to the 2014 Global Wellness Economy Monitor, the number of spas in sub-Saharan Africa quadrupled to 1,544 between 2007 and 2013.
Standards and education Delegates heard that addressing therapist and product standards is essential if Africa’s spa industry is to reach its full potential. A training panel discussion outlined a particular challenge in this area. With no certification body for facilities or therapists, it’s difficult for companies to substantiate spending on training, or to be able to recoup their investments.
Another fascinating discussion centred on standards for authentic African spa products which are increasingly popular with tourists. Local brand owners Stephan Helary of Terres d’Afrique, Amanda Khan of RoxSpa and Helen Cassan of Seven Colours were candid about the issues they’ve had in sourcing local ingredients, packaging and quality control.
The second day of the conference included a full-day spa management training course by Wynne Business for 29 students. The course covered best practices in operations management, understanding financial metrics and the latest marketing concepts to help them better position their spas for the international tourist market.
Overall, it was agreed that the whole conference provided delegates with a rare opportunity to be further educated on many aspects of spa operations.
The next SWAA networking event will take place in Nairobi, Kenya on 21-22 January. It’s one of a number of events planned by this growing association which expects to have 50 members signed up by 2016 and 100 by 2017.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2015 issue 4
Letters:
Concerns raised over massage-on-demand vetting systems
Interview: Michael Tompkins
What’s next for Michael Tompkins as he takes a step back at Hilton Head Health? Rhianon Howells finds out
Promotional feature: Dr Burgener Switzerland
Leading skincare brand Dr Burgener Switzerland combines natural ingredients with advanced technology to produce exceptional results – and the company sees customisation as the way forward for each of its spa clients
Trends: Workplace wellness
Neena Dhillon looks at two award-winning employee wellness programmes and asks how spas can get involved in this burgeoning market
Promotional feature: ESPA
ESPA International has always been a leader in the global spa business but has never been averse to change. The CEO and son of its founder explains how the company he joined 22 years ago is adapting to meet the challenges facing the industry today
Research: Onwards & upwards
ISPA research shows the US spa sector has reached new heights. Colin McIlheney analyses the findings
Promotional feature: Phytomer
Director of international development, Tristan Lagarde, explains how PHYTOMER has become a leader in the field of technological skincare development, and how spas can benefit from the brand’s success
Spa concept: Eforea 2.0
Hilton has refreshed its spa concept to make it more appealing to hoteliers. But what’s changed? Jane Kitchen finds out
Promotional feature: Living Earth Crafts
Brian Paris, spa designer and VP of sales for Living Earth Crafts, explains how the company is helping spa operators become more efficient with space-saving but stylish spa equipment and accessories
In a world where imbalance often accumulates quietly, Wildsmith unveils its newest
wellbeing innovation: Silent Loads, an approach designed to meet the needs of modern spa
guests with precision and depth. [more...]
The Spa Life UK Convention returns from 21–23 June 2026 at Whittlebury Park Hotel, Spa &
Golf Resort, bringing together spa managers, directors and owners for two days of focused
education, meaningful connection and commercial insight. [more...]
Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, president of the Republic of Mauritius and a biodiversity scientist, highlighted wellness as a key industry opportunity in her opening speech at the first continent-wide spa conference in Africa in late September.
“Spas and wellness centres have a big future ahead,” she said. “But they should repackage existing offerings and develop new ones to define and market spas as a wellness necessity – especially by drawing on traditional, cultural-based therapies...
“There’s also a strong need to build a body of evidence-based consumer research that connects spa with wellness.”
Gurib-Fakim was talking at the inaugural annual show for the Spa & Wellness Association of Africa (SWAA). The two day event, held at the gorgeous Lux Belle Mare resort in Mauritius, attracted 60 spa operator and supplier delegates from nine countries across Africa. The show is a milestone achievement for SWAA, an organisation set up in 2010 to support the development of the sector on the continent.
Made in Africa Many discussions over the two days focused on promoting home-grown talent. SWAA president Elaine Okeke-Martin, who’s passionate about raising the profile of spas in Africa, said: “African countries have so much to show the world and I think the SWAA is their platform to showcase what each country can offer in terms of wellness and traditional healing.
“Some spa owners in Africa will continue to look to the west and redo what’s been done but some will create a format that actually fits with African lifestyle expectations. I think these ‘made in Africa’ spas will deliver services compatible with people’s beliefs, allowing the authenticity to shine through, entice and inspire the rest of the world.”
In fact, research shows Africa is the fastest growing region for spa and wellness even though it’s most often overlooked. According to the 2014 Global Wellness Economy Monitor, the number of spas in sub-Saharan Africa quadrupled to 1,544 between 2007 and 2013.
Standards and education Delegates heard that addressing therapist and product standards is essential if Africa’s spa industry is to reach its full potential. A training panel discussion outlined a particular challenge in this area. With no certification body for facilities or therapists, it’s difficult for companies to substantiate spending on training, or to be able to recoup their investments.
Another fascinating discussion centred on standards for authentic African spa products which are increasingly popular with tourists. Local brand owners Stephan Helary of Terres d’Afrique, Amanda Khan of RoxSpa and Helen Cassan of Seven Colours were candid about the issues they’ve had in sourcing local ingredients, packaging and quality control.
The second day of the conference included a full-day spa management training course by Wynne Business for 29 students. The course covered best practices in operations management, understanding financial metrics and the latest marketing concepts to help them better position their spas for the international tourist market.
Overall, it was agreed that the whole conference provided delegates with a rare opportunity to be further educated on many aspects of spa operations.
The next SWAA networking event will take place in Nairobi, Kenya on 21-22 January. It’s one of a number of events planned by this growing association which expects to have 50 members signed up by 2016 and 100 by 2017.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2015 issue 4
Letters:
Concerns raised over massage-on-demand vetting systems
Interview: Michael Tompkins
What’s next for Michael Tompkins as he takes a step back at Hilton Head Health? Rhianon Howells finds out
Promotional feature: Dr Burgener Switzerland
Leading skincare brand Dr Burgener Switzerland combines natural ingredients with advanced technology to produce exceptional results – and the company sees customisation as the way forward for each of its spa clients
Trends: Workplace wellness
Neena Dhillon looks at two award-winning employee wellness programmes and asks how spas can get involved in this burgeoning market
Promotional feature: ESPA
ESPA International has always been a leader in the global spa business but has never been averse to change. The CEO and son of its founder explains how the company he joined 22 years ago is adapting to meet the challenges facing the industry today
Research: Onwards & upwards
ISPA research shows the US spa sector has reached new heights. Colin McIlheney analyses the findings
Promotional feature: Phytomer
Director of international development, Tristan Lagarde, explains how PHYTOMER has become a leader in the field of technological skincare development, and how spas can benefit from the brand’s success
Spa concept: Eforea 2.0
Hilton has refreshed its spa concept to make it more appealing to hoteliers. But what’s changed? Jane Kitchen finds out
Promotional feature: Living Earth Crafts
Brian Paris, spa designer and VP of sales for Living Earth Crafts, explains how the company is helping spa operators become more efficient with space-saving but stylish spa equipment and accessories
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai in Hoi An, Vietnam, has put together a Global Wellness Day
(GWD) agenda with activations rooted in nature and shaped by four pillars of Joy – in
alignment with the day’s theme #JoyMagenta.
The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) will celebrate its 20th anniversary at the 2026 event in
Phuket, Thailand, later this year with the theme: The Science, Art and Soul of Wellness.
Auko, an all-inclusive development, is opening in Phong Nha in Vietnam in Q3 2026, with a
series of 30 tented eco-lodges and wellness hospitality operations by Lumina Wellbeing.
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions
that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once
complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK.
Naples Beach Club, a Four Seasons Resort, has opened a 2,800sq m spa called The Sanctuary,
with the design and concept inspired by the Native American people that populated Florida’s
Southwest coast – the Calusa.
Swire Hotels’ luxury hospitality brand Upper House has revealed it will roll out its two-day
House of Healing retreats at its three hotels in Hong Kong, Chengdu and Shanghai.
LVMH-owned beauty house Guerlain will launch up to five spas with partners a year as part of
its plan to expand globally, according to the brand’s international spa and wellness director,
Diane Davody.
A new global study by Kevin Kelly and Peter Yesawich, called WELLSurvey 2.0, has revealed
more than half of consumers in the UK, US and Germany would not choose numerous high-
profile wellness resort brands for a future trip.
Luxury hospitality and wellness pioneer Jeremy McCarthy has launched Leisure Alchemy, a
digital platform that will provide professionals with strategic guidance on how to build
transformational leisure experiences that drive profit.
In a world where imbalance often accumulates quietly, Wildsmith unveils its newest
wellbeing innovation: Silent Loads, an approach designed to meet the needs of modern spa
guests with precision and depth. [more...]
The Spa Life UK Convention returns from 21–23 June 2026 at Whittlebury Park Hotel, Spa &
Golf Resort, bringing together spa managers, directors and owners for two days of focused
education, meaningful connection and commercial insight. [more...]
