Spa and wellness group to set up a training center

CEBU, Philippines - The Spa and Wellness Association of Cebu (SWAC) is set to establish a training center for therapists to be called “Inspiration Center” to achieve its goal in raising the bar of quality of service in the wellness sector.

SWAC president Johny Siao announced that the facility will be operated by the organization, in close coordination with accredited massage institute by the Department of Health (DOH), such as the International NKYR Academy (INA).

This is in line with the industry’s goal of providing Cebu only with all licensed therapists by 2015, making Cebu a world class wellness destination.

The organization targets to open the “Inspiration Center” by first quarter next year, while SWAC also expects funding from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to aid the establishment of the center.

Marissa Puche, SWAC managing director said that the center will complement to the training of massage institutes in Cebu that are accredited by the DOH. SWAC’s facility is an upgrading center for licensed therapists.

SWAC hopes to graduate at least 400 licensed therapists every semester. Courses run from 3-week intensive training, as well as four-month training for different modules.

Earlier, a Dutch expert on wellness said that while Cebu has a huge potential to position itself as preferred wellness destination in the world, it has to create a good policy that could make the province a truly world-class spa and wellness destination.

Dutch senior expert on beauty and wellness Janny Beeuwkes-Berends said that Cebu has a lot of things to change especially if it wants to attract Spa and wellness tourists from Europe and other countries.

Berends, who is sent by the Dutch government to help the Spa and wellness sector, through the SWAC said that at present Cebu has “a bad name”  in Europe, because of the easy availability of women that targets “foreigner” visitors.

Although, “prostitution” is not isolated in Cebu, as it is common in every destination, Cebu has to act on putting a good name in its Spa and wellness sector, defining the good spa and wellness service to “un-wholesome” service.

Because of the diluted industry make up of the Spa and wellness industry, it has created a “not so good” impression from the foreign market perspective, thereby pulling down its potential for growth and attract wholesome and family visitors that could have been a good tourists’ market for Cebu.

“You miss so many things, only because of the bad impression Cebu has in other countries, like in Europe,” said Berends.

She suggested that Cebu wellness private sector players should work closely with the concerned government agencies like the Department of Tourism (DOT), or the Department of Health (DOH), and even the Local Government Units (LGUs) to change the impression it has created in terms of attracting wellness customers from Europe and other countries.    

Puche said once the “Inspiration Center” will be established Cebu is seen to take off as a world-class spa and wellness destination at least in Asia. (FREEMAN)