Research company Intelligent Spas has released details of its first survey conducted in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Entitled UAE Spa Benchmark Report 2005-2010, the document contains key financial and performance benchmarks for the region, including revenue, visitor numbers and employment.

The UAE spa industry is described as a “relatively small market” by Intelligent Spa’s managing director Julie Garrow, although it is one that is “growing rapidly”.

According to the report, the industry employed around 1,430 people in 2007. More than 655,500 people visited spas in 2007.

The spa facilities operating in the UAE were divided into two categories by researchers – day and destination. Of the 65 spas, 34 per cent were standalone day spas – including day, medical and health – while the remaining 66 per cent were destination spas, defined as being co-located with an accommodation offering, or with their own accommodation.

Key benchmark ratios are also included, such as daily revenue per spa and employees per treatment room. Details: spabenchmark.com