With a theme of Vision 2020, the Asia Pacific Spa and Wellness Coalition’s 4th annual Strategic Planning forum, held in Bangkok in March, outlined ways to plan for the year 2020 and prepare the industry for the challenges ahead.
Four major outcomes were identified and will be taken up by the Asia Pacific Spa and Wellness Coalition (APSWC) for their work moving into 2010-2011.
Attended by over 60 senior spa industry professionals from Asia Pacific and around the world, the forum examined both the macro perspectives; issues relating to the environment and changing demographics, and the micro; how the medical and spa industries might work together, how spas may need to provide more diagnostic services for successful treatments and the role of social media networking.
The four outcomes are:
OUTCOME ONE: Relationship with Medical Community – A closer relationship with the medical industry would be very beneficial to consumers; due to a better overall customer experience and to the industry, with access to more substantial budgets, research initiatives, government lobbying power and guidance on industry accreditation, among other benefits. The APSWC committed to invite medical professionals to be advisors to the board to help with the transition to greater co-operation between the two industries.
OUTCOME TWO: Publish More Research – There is a general lack of understanding – in part promoted by the spa industry itself through its ‘pampering only’ images – about how effective spa treatments can be towards total wellbeing.
OUTCOME THREE: Accreditation – Regulation and standards are required to legitimise the industry and the APSWC, with assistance from each country’s spa association, agreed to take up the reins to steer the Asian industry towards more unified accreditation.
OUTCOME FOUR: Responsible Leadership – To support environmental initiatives, the development of a customised carbon footprint calculator for the spa industry was discussed, however additional funding is required. The APSWC is also committed to support the Earth Hour (www.earthhour.org) and Just a Drop (www.justadrop.org) initiatives, with delegates making a donation in the name of the APSWC to Just a Drop.
The 5th APSWC Strategic Planning Forum is provisionally scheduled for February 17 to 18, 2011. For more information, visit www.apswc.org.