To avail of EU grant local spa association joins national cluster

The Spa and Wellness Association of Cebu (SWAC) is set to become an affiliate of the national spa association for the former to benefit from the 600 thousand Euro grant from the Asia Invest of the European Union (EU).

SWAC president Johnie Lim said works is now being done for the group to be associated with SAP as soon as possible, so that the Cebu spa and wellness industry will be benefited of the grant from the Asia Invest.

In a separate interview with SAP president Marjorie P. Lopingco, she said the Philippines has been chosen by the Asia Invest to manage the 600 thousand Euro grant for the development of the Spa and wellness industry in Asia, including countries like Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.

This means that it is not only the Philippines that will be able to partake of the grant but other famous spa and wellness destinations in Asia as well.

However, since the Philippines is the chosen country to manage the fund, Lopingco said she hopes that the SWAC will immediately affiliate with the SAP in order to get the share of the grant.

“This can be a resource fund for Cebu’s spa and wellness players. But SWAC still has to affiliate with us,” Lopingco said.

At this point, SWAC is not formally affiliated with the national organization. According to Lim, the organization will immediately connect with SAP to get a share of the help in order to push development of Cebu’s spa and wellness industry.

Lopingco said SWAC members will be able to have professional trainings and licensing for their therapists using the fund.

Asia Invest of the EU awarded the 600 Euro to SAP December of last year. Within this quarter, Lopingco said the Philippines will invite lead players of spa and wellness industry in other countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, for a strategic planning to put forward the entire wellness industry in these countries.

Lopingco said one of the main priorities of the inter-country strategic planning is to create wellness and spa advantages or niche in every country, so as not to encourage stiff competition.

The Asia-Invest II Program is an initiative by the European Commission to promote and support business co-operation between the EU and Asia.

Lopingco said professional training for wellness and spa sector will be well formulated and established, she said it is better for the owners themselves to take the trainings, as there is a fast turnover of masseurs now, whether in domestic movements, or some move abroad.

In Cebu, only the Shangri-La Mactan Island Resort’s Spa Village called Chi is a member of SAP.

Lim said SWAC will be able to formally affiliate with SAP in the next few months.