‘Require wellness businesses to be members of spa group’

Officials of a health and wellness group are pushing for an ordinance requiring businessmen setting up wellness-related businesses to become a member of their group, the Spa and Wellness Association of Cebu (SWAC) or the Department of Tourism (DOT).

Marissa Puche, SWAC director, said they would write local government units (LGUs) in Cebu requesting them to come up with this kind of ordinance which would become a requirement to get a business permit.

“We have already talked with DOT Regional Director Rowena Montecillo, who committed to support the proposal. DOT will champion us to the LGUs,” said Puche.

membership

SWAC president Johnny Siao said that SWAC had been pushing for uplifting the standards of the sector and being members of the group would benefit them and the sector.

“With the expanded membership category which now includes environmental, financial, social, mental, spiritual, emotional and physical dimensions under our membership we are urging all those who fall in any of the category to get accredited,” Siao said.

According to Siao, SWAC has 59 members with 30 active members.

He said of the 30 active members, 18 belonged to the spa sector.

follow standard

DOT’s Montecillo said that the sector had a big potential to grow if operators follow a certain standard in offering their services.

Montecillo said DOT has been urging spa operators to get DOT accreditation which will be easier to get if the establishment is also accredited with an organization like SWAC.

Siao, who is the man behind the “Spa at Cebu” chain urged businessmen in the sector to come together as one voice in the industry through the SWAC as it could be a vehicle to gain public voice.

“If you’re an organization, your voice will matter and together we can also do projects that will help realize the potential of Cebu as a premier wellness destination for wellness in the world,” said Siao.

other priorities

Other priorities in SWAC’s “to-do” list include ensuring proper regulation and intensive promotion of the wellness industry in Cebu through the learnings they got from a PUM Netherlands senior expert Janny Beeuwkes-Berends.

Berends recently challenged the sector players to raise the general image of the industry especially in the European market, which she said is a premium tourist segment that is willing to spend more for value.

Former SWAC president Johnnie Lim agreed with Berends to improve the image of Cebu through giving the correct trainings for the massage therapists.

licensing

“Assisting unlicensed massage attendance in their licensing as massage therapists is also our priority so that by January 2015, the spa establishments would have complied with the regulation that all spa establishments must be manned only by licensed massage therapists,” said Siao.

Last month, about 50 therapist completed a series of training conducted Berends which includes topics on spa management, the lastest techniques in facial therapy, livelihood training on hairstyling, manicure and pedicure and the use of colors in the establishments for therapy.

inspiration center

An “inspiration center” is also targeted to be setup by 2013 where licensed massage therapists can also further enhance their skills through more trainings according to Siao.

“To start that, we will need operators to voluntarily register and be accredited under SWAC,” said Siao adding that they invite all operators to meet with them on December 20 in Rica’s Cafe in Banilad.