Lack of trained staff a concern for region's spas

Janette Watts, founder and managing director of UAE-based spa amenities supplier The Product House has said that while the spa industry in the region continues to develop, the lack of availability of trained staff poses a major challenge for spa operators.

"Ongoing hospitality developments in the region are ensuring that the spa industry will continue to develop and grow into 2020. Global male grooming figures alone reached AED 59 billion this decade and world-wide; consumers spent US$ 2 billion a week on skin and sun care products in 2011 in a market that is full of innovation,” explained Watts.

“This growth will extend itself to the region and with it bring challenges and individual trends to the area,” she added.

However, the growth will also raise challenges for spas, Watts warned.

“Aspects such as audiences, concepts and staffing need to be kept in line with developments. Staffing often poses challenges, considering the majority being expatriates. Focus should be placed on high levels of training and adapting both treatments and methods of training in these treatments to both target audiences and cultures of staff being employed.

Adapting and considering to whom, where and what is being offered to clients, all need to be considered in maintaining and motivating staff,” she said.

The Product House also offers training courses for various departments within a spa.

“It is crucial to keep up to date with developments with integrated planning and support. We, at The Product House examine trends in the market place and initiate training courses for spa staff to allow them to learn whilst on the job. Courses include spa managers, finance courses and various levels of therapist training,” said Watts.

The Product House will be exhibiting the latest amenities from Aromatherapy Associates, Rodial, Voya and others at the Hotelier Middle East Great GM Debate on September 9 at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel.

The team will also be available to answer questions about its training programs.

“Our prime aim is to support hotel spas not only in terms of their product offering, but also in training, marketing and merchandising the total package from the beginning of the spa journey to retail offerings. Supporting events such as the Hotelier Middle East Great GM Debate not only allows The Product House to increase awareness and extend the benefits of our services, but also allows us to play a role in one of the leading hotel events in the region,” said Watts.

Now in its fourth year, the annual Hotelier Middle East Great GM Debate attracts around 200 general managers from luxury, upscale and midmarket hotels across the UAE to discuss industry issues and share best practice.

The event is free for GMs to attend.

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Diarmuid O’Malley on dom@itp.com