Spa experts wary of cosmetic procedures

Spa experts at the Hotelier Middle East Spa & Wellness Forum 2015 debated whether spas should respond to a burgeoning medical tourism market with non-invasive cosmetic procedures as a means of generating extra revenue.

During the panel session entitled 'The Money in Trends' moderated by Roya International hospitality consultant Jennifer B. Houchaime, panellists agreed that spa professionals should focus on their own core offering rather than resort to implementing cosmetic procedures.

Shahida Siddique, owner & CEO, Spadunya colour experience and Altearah Bio commented: “I don’t think we need to get into someone else’s territory, I think we have to focus on what we’re good at. Let the plastic surgeons do what they’re doing. There are so many plastic surgeons, we need to focus on wellness.”

Lindsay Madden-Nadeau, director spa integration and operations, FRHI Hotels & Resorts warned that international hotel operators could face major challenges should they introduce cosmetic procedures.

“When you’re thinking about big corporate names of hotels it would come back to reflect the group,” she said.

“You have to be careful it’s not a Mickey Mouse operation and that it’s set up property. In FRHI if something were to go wrong it would affect our company globally. If something is invasive you’ve perhaps got to take a step back on that.”

Gopal Kumar, spa director Burj Al Arab believed, however, that there are opportunities for spa operations to support and complement the offerings of cosmetic surgeons, rather than emulate their treatments.

“Preparing them and recovering them, that’s where the spa comes in. It can prepare a client to go there and then help with the recovery.

“Oxygen facials benefit you if you’ve had surgery. If you go to an oxygen chamber your recover is much faster. It goes hand in hand and it will enhance the whole thing together.”

Recent studies by Dubai Health Authority have shown that Dubai attracted more than 100,000 medical tourists in 2014, and the field is growing.

The Hotelier Spa & Wellness Forum, took place today (March 10) at Grosvenor House Dubai in association with Lucrea General Trading.

Exhibitors at the event were ManageMySpa and RNS Beauty Personal Care & Equipment.