Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts has opened its first dedicated spa training centre in Manila, in the Philippines.

The academy will train therapists to meet the demands of the rapid international expansion of the group’s signature CHI spa brand.

In addition to practical skills, academy trainees will learn about the CHI philosophy – which is based on ancient healing traditions – and be shown how to deliver the Shangri-La style service within a spa environment.

Approximately 60 trainees from the Philippines and other Asian countries are anticipated to graduate with Shangri-La Spa Academy Certification each year, with a further 20 receiving professional spa management training.

Trainees will undergo a three-month programme to obtain certification.

The programme will be taught by certified spa professionals from internationally-accredited spa education facilities.

There are currently five CHI spas open, in Bangkok, Cebu, Shanghai, Penang and Muscat with a total of 22 further spas scheduled to open in international locations over the next five years.