Spas urged to return to medicinal roots

With increasing competition, spas need to look at rejuvenating themselves - not just as a luxury for customers - but as a medicinal necessity.

According to Intelligent Spas latest Dubai Benchmark Report this July, more than 60 spas are currently operating in the emirate and generating revenue of approximately $87m.

It adds that spa numbers in Dubai are forecast to grow 17.7% by the end of 2009 but revenue is predicted to fall by more than 50% before a recovery in 2010.

To assist the recovery, spas are being urged to focus on preventative health and wellness. According to industry sources, spa opportunities lie in a collaborative future with the health and medical industries.

To address this issue, the second Dubai Congress on Anti-Aging and Aesthetic Medicine (DCAAAM) - to be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 8-9 November - is dedicating a full day to a certified Medical Spa Operations Workshop. This will be held in collaboration with international expert Manon Pilon, medical spa consultant, International speaker and Director of Education for Derme.ca in Canada.

Medical spas offer a range of therapies under the supervision of trained medical personnel but in the surroundings of a relaxed environment. The medi-spa industry in the US saw sales exceed $1bn in 2006, a significant increase from $450m in 2004.

The special workshop will take place on Saturday November 7 and will cover all aspects from concepts and design, defining medical and spa services, selecting the right equipment, to hiring the right team, how to manage and market the spa and incorporating retail strategies. A roundtable discussion in the afternoon will provide an opportunity for delegates to network with experts from the spa industry.

Pilon says, "Since 1996 we have seen an amazing growth in medical spas. The most profitable services include injectibles such as Botox and fillers, Intense Pulse Light therapy (IPL) for skin rejuvenation, laser hair removal and the retail of skincare products. It's a return to the original spa concept as a centre of wellbeing and rejuvenation not just relaxation."

The Dubai Congress on Anti-Aging and Aesthetic Medicine will be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 8-9 November 2009. Supported by the Ministry of Health UAE and the Department of Health and Medical Services, this event attracted more than 1,200 healthcare professionals from over 50 countries in 2008 and is attended by leaders in the spa industry and aesthetic medicine.

Event platinum sponsor is Bader Sultan; gold sponsors are Promoitalia, Pharmapal and Golden Key Solutions; silver sponsors are Cosmesurge and Joz Group.

DCAAAM is held in association with the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M), which has a membership of more than 20,000 physicians and scientists from 90 countries and has pioneered the establishment of anti-aging medicine as a recognised medical speciality.