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Lanka has potential to become major spa destination - Expert

by Tharika Goonathilake

Sri Lanka has the potential to be developed as a major spa resort destination, provided there is a proper monitoring and regulatory body to ensure international standards, a leading spa resort expert said this week. "Sri Lanka with its attractive resources has the ambience and the herbal base that are prerequisites for the establishment of spas.

However there is a great need for a more professionalised product and service," Indonesia Gaya Spa, Wellness Centre, Research Consultant Sato Jayawardena told the `Daily News'.

The Jakarta based Gaya Wellness Centre, considered a model spa has, since 1996, provided a base for establishing Spa and Salon facilities and/or operations in many international hotels chains.

Cited as leading Spa in Asia by Cosmopolitan (UK), the Centre specialises not only in providing the best in spa facilities but also management, training aspects, and educational programs based on techniques applied from Spa capitals around the world.

Jayawardena counts over 10 years in the beauty and therapy industry, is currently researching the potential of opening an indonesian funded Gaya Spa resort operation and training Centre here.

"The relaxation and pampering business' seems to be a non-affected business even in these recent times, and the Gaya Centre, foresees that the spa industry will continue to experience phenomenal growth, with increasing demand for spa services throughout the world," she said.

According to Jayawardene, merely introducing Ayurveda concepts and operating therapy treatment with water and herbs is not spa. There is a scientific and a professionalised service behind the whole concept which not seen here.

"Sri Lanka is marketing the current spa resort concept without the professional training. The product available is far below the required international standard. This could be detrimental to the country's image,"she said.

Jayawardene said that during her visits to hotels offering spa facilities she was able to observe as well as note certain methods "that were not up to the mark" that could seriously undermine efforts to develop the destination's potential.

Jaywardene reiterates that the spa concept here needs to be professionalised "if Sri Lanka aims at promoting the destination as a retreat for exclusive spa packages". A vital component of this development aspect, however, is the "training for those who are engaged in operating these services," she said. Given the current trend towards holistic therapies and environmentally friendly products, and provided that standards are maintained on par with what is avialble overseas, Jayawardene said, Sri Lanka will be able to tap this market.

She said that with the going rates for spa packages ranging from US$ 100 to even US $500 per day, this specialised segment of leisure travellers is an important niche market for Sri Lanka given the wide scale interest generated about the country as a safe and exotic destination.

According to Jayawardene, in Spas overseas, everything from the way a clientele is prepared to receive the therapy, to what is offered to the clientele is based on a scientific approach based on a personalised service. Those in the sector are qualified to be in a position to grasp what is needed by the clientele and impart the kind of service that is required in keeping with holistic health and beauty concepts.

Most of the personnel are graduates specialising in the areas they operate.

"Sri Lanka with its natural herbal base can develop something with a local identity incorporating the vast knowledge of local people who have for many years used the natural world for their holistic healing medicine, which is the foundation behind spa-the holistic health and beauty concepts," she said.

"What is needed is the conformity to the standards that should be maintained in operating this specialised service," she added.

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Jetwing Ayurveda Pavilion introduces music therapy

by Shirajiv Sirimane

For the first time in Sri Lanka Music therapy is being introduced at the newly built Jetwing Ayurveda Pavilion owned and operated by Jetwing Group of Hotels, in Negombo.

Sisira Karunatillike, a graduate from a Peradeniya University who has received training in India will be in charge of this novel concept. "The therapy will be performed with a 'Sittar' and each session will take 45 minutes," said Manager of the Ayurveda Pavilions Rookamanie Fernando.

"This therapy is very popular in India and in some other countries as it can heal certain sicknesses. It is also good to cure mental imbalances."

She said that the Pavilion which is Sri Lanka's first purpose built health holiday complex on the west coast of Negombo, will have a staff of 39 which includes Ayurveda doctors and nurses.

She said that another therapy that is offered at the Pavilion will be the Eye massage therapy. "The doctor will pour a special medicine to the eye and perform a series of exercises in a bid to give better sight." The Pavilion which was opened last month will consists of 12 Villas each costing over Rs. 1.5 million. In addition a swimming pool with Jacuzzi nozzles, Restaurant and a modern kitchen too is included in this complex.

The novelty of this project would be that each Villa would have its own Sauna and the medication facilities needed for treatment and the doctor will visit the guest at the Villa and do the treatment in the Villa itself.

"So unlike in other Ayurveda centres the patient does not have to go to a common treatment area." "The doctor will also prescribe special meals which will be provided at the restaurant. There is no buffet at our hotel."

She said that they have received many inquiries and the hotel is now running at a 40% occupancy rate. "We have very attractive packages for Sri Lankans and also offer daily treatment packages."

She said that the Jetwing Ayurveda Pavilion has been designed by Anura Ratnavibushana and each Villa is named under a Sri Lankan flower. The resort is designed for people seeking in-house Ayurveda Therapy in quiet peaceful surroundings. The Jetwing group own and operate 17 hotels.

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