Spa & Wellness Africa – Issue 1

Issue 1

January 2015

LAUNCH ISSUE:

African skin care The powers of Healing Earth PLUS

REGULAR FEATURES NEWS & REVIEWS

COVER PICTURE COURTESY OF RAIN AFRICA

TRIBE HOTEL

Remaining ahead of the curve

FIRST ANNUAL SPA & WELLNESS CONFERENCE

Branding true African spa concepts

FOREWORD.................................................................................... 3

Contents

Your very good health!

INTRODUCTION......................................................................... 4 A strong voice for Africa’s flourishing spa sector

SPA & WELLNESS AFRICA ISSUE ONE

GLOBAL SPA & WELLNESS SUMMIT........................................................... 8

JANUARY 2015

Cover picture courtesy of Rain Africa www.rainafrica.com

Citizens of tomorrow will rely on spa sector

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1ST ANNUAL AFRICAN SPA & WELLNESS CONFERENCE....................................... 12 Mauritius to host SWA A’s first conference

LUX RESORTS.......................................................................... 14 Putting the LUX* into luxury spas

DENZIL PHILLIPS................................................................ 18 Africa’s natural cures have a global potential

MAGATTE WADE....................................................................20 A passionate belief in Africa’s healing arts

LIGHTING AND DESIGN................................................24

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Set the mood with perfect lighting and design

AFRICAN PLANTS...............................................................28 Africa’s Ancient Remedies get a new lease of life

AFRICAN ORGANISATION FOR STANDARDISATION (ARSO)..................................... 32 A mission to get Africa in line with global trading standards

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TRIBE HOTEL INTERVIEW.........................................34 Staying ahead of the curve

HEALING EARTH..................................................................38

Natural ingredients do it best

BEAUTY SCHOOLS.............................................................43 Professional training IS KEY to our industry’s success

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SPA WATCH.................................................................................46 Enashipai Resort & Spa

HEALING POWERS OF ... ...........................................50 HIGH PROFILE SPA............................................................ 52

What it takes to run a high profile spa

MOMBASA NETWORK EVENT..............................56 Building on success of Spa Network forum

SPA & WELLNESS ASSOCIATION OF AFRICA....................................................................................58 Become a SWA A Member

EVENTS CALENDAR.........................................................60 Spa and wellness events in Africa 2015

MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS.................................63 SWAA BOARD & CONTACTS...................................64

FOREWORD

By Elaine Okeke-Martin MAGAZINE PUBLISHED ON BEHALF OF:

SPA & WELLNESS ASSOCIATION OF AFRICA Executives Services Limited 2nd floor, Les Jamalacs Building, Vieux Conseil Street, Port Louis Republic of Mauritius Tel: + (254) 728 655 771 + (44) 740 445 0557 +(230) 208 3013 Email: info@spaassociationofafrica.com

www.spaassociationofafrica.com Twitter: SpaAfrica Facebook: Spa & Wellness Association of Africa Pinterest: Spa & Wellness Association of Africa

PUBLISHED BY:

UK office and postal address: LAND & MARINE PUBLICATIONS LIMITED 1 Kings Court, Newcomen Way Severalls Business Park Colchester, Essex CO4 9RA, UK Tel: +44 (0)1206 752902 Fax: +44 (0)1206 842958 Email: publishing@landmarine.com

www.landmarine.com Twitter: land_marine Facebook: landmarine Pinterest: landmarine

ADVERTISING Sales Manager: Catherine O’Callaghan Tel: +44 (0)1206 752902 Email: catherineocallaghan@landmarine.com

PRODUCTION Editor: Kate Wingar Email: katewingar@landmarine.org Printed by: Buxton Press, UK

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Email: info@spaassociationofafrica.com

The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the editor nor of any other organisation associated with this publication. No liability can be accepted for any inaccuracies or omissions. Reproduction without written permission is prohibited. The publisher has made every effort to arrange copyright in accordance with existing legislation. © 2014 Land & Marine Publications Ltd

Your very

good health!

W

elcome to the first edition of Spa & Wellness Africa.

I am very excited about this first issue, which opens with the stunning cover image

by RAIN South Africa.

We hope to promote the spa and wellness industry at home and overseas. What this means for consumers and destinations on the continent is that they will be seen and heard by us and we hope to create and give an extraordinary opportunity for them to promote their programmes and packages here in Africa and overseas.

This publication shows a range of experts in the industry, events, spa destinations, beauty institutions and SWAA board members.

The interview with Hermogene from ARSO defines the areas in which SWAA is working for spa and wellness standards across Africa (Page 34), while we let Magatte Wade, one of Forbes Magazine’s ‘20 Youngest Power Women of Africa’ and the creator of Toisson Skincare products based on indigenous Senegalese recipes take you on a safari of her business (Page 22).

According to research published this year at the Global Spa & Wellness Summit in Morocco by SRI International, between 2007 and 2013 the spa industry grew by 58 per cent from $60 billion to $94 billion. There was a 47 per cent growth in spa locations to reach a total of 105,591 spas. The thermal/mineral springs industry is a $50 billion market embracing 26,847 properties.

Between 2012 and 2013 revenue from wellness tourism was up 12.5 per cent to $494 billion, significantly outpacing SRI’s original growth forecast of nine per cent.

The industry in Africa is underdeveloped and large companies are unwilling to make the right investments; but this is all changing. Strong international brands and African brands are moving into this market with serious intentions. Today, consumers are looking at wellness tourism options in Africa. This beautiful and richly diverse continent has a lot to offer in terms of indigenous treatments, products and healing.

We hope you enjoy this issue and find yourself heading to Africa soon.

More on Africa

And if you are left feeling you want more on Africa, find out how Hooman, owner of Tribe Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, aspires to remain ahead of the curve (Page 36). While Denzil Phillips, an expert on African medicinal plants, speaks on how to source African plants (Page 20). As part of our designer insider we begin by showcasing interior lighting design by YAHYA from Marrakech in Morocco (Page 26).

Africa’s spa and wellness industry is growing and – even better – gearing up for competitiveness. Take our SWAA Spa Network events on Page 46. We hope to build these spa networks in every African country with an ambition to promote spa and wellness.

As the wellness tourism industry reaches a figure of $494 billion, Africa will be playing a role in this growing industry.

Elaine Okeke-Martin President Spa & Wellness Association of Africa

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A STRONG VOICE FOR AFRICA’S

4

INTRODUCTION

T

he Spa & Wellness Association of Africa (SWAA) is a non-profit association that promotes the spa and wellness industry in Africa and to the world.

SWAA has a mission to support Africa’s growing spa and wellness sector in its bid to compete on the international stage.

So how does SWAA help spa-related businesses in Africa to compete globally in a growing and demanding industry? SWAA is developing standards with ARSO, an intergovernmental body that is seeking to harmonise standards in order to enhance Africa’s internal trading capacity; to boost its global competitiveness in terms of products and services; and to improve the welfare of African consumers. SWAA is also working with the Healers Association, with global spa and wellness initiatives and with government departments such as education, health and tourism to build these guidelines.

Growing industry

For its own members – and for the media – SWAA provides an ideal channel for networking, marketing and education. It represents the growing industry of spa and wellness and works alongside tourism and education authorities across Africa.

There are key indicators that Africa’s spa and wellness industry is expanding and SWAA has its work cut out for the future.

Future challenges for the board include the certification of spas and institutions under SWAA criteria; accreditation of therapists; promoting brand and packaging in Africa; changing the perceptions of the African population; and reviving the traditional recipes.

SWAA INITIATIVES To develop standards within the spa and wellness industry to support businesses and institutions To improve the African education system with a SWAA internship To support traditional healers and their businesses To help increase the number of African therapists employed in spas (currently just 30 per cent) To ensure that African politicians and industry people are well informed about spa and wellness To define the ‘African’ within spa and wellness and promote the branding of African To use the SWAA Network to share information and solve problems.

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INTRODUCTION

HOW ELAINE FULFILLED HER DREAM When Elaine Okeke-Martin founded the Spa & Wellness Association of Africa (SWAA) in October 2010 her aim was to raise the standards of spa and wellness in Africa and to provide the industry with a voice.

SWAA BOARD

ADVISORY BOARD

PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER:

Denzil Phillips

Elaine Okeke-Martin CEO of Spalogique Consulting VICE PRESIDENT

Elisabeth Brandt Founder and CEO of Healing Earth, South Africa BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

Dzigbordi Dosoo Founder and CEO of Allure Africa Ltd

Majda Berrada President of A-SPA-Maroc

Pamela Olatinji CEO of B-natural Group, Nigeria

Tonny Muiruri Mutungu Sales director at Tribe Hotel, Nairobi BOARD TREASURER:

Jeff Butterworth Chief spa and wellness officer for LUX* Resorts COMMITTEE MEMBERS:

Katy Whitfield Spa manager, Hemingways, Nairobi

Abdelhamid Mousa Spa director at Villa Rosa Kempinski, Nairobi

While living in Nigeria and Kenya, and throughout her travels, Elaine gathered information about the needs of spa owners, managers and therapists across Africa. Many were sceptical about such a large-scale project in a continent of 54 nations, but she remained positive.

Denzil has over 30 years’ experience and his company, Denzil Phillips International, advises some of the world’s leading corporations and development organisations in the field of spa and wellness, natural beauty care, natural medicines, fragrances and cosmetics.

He is director of the Association for African Medicinal Plants Standards (AAMPS) and advises the Caribbean Spa & Wellness Association.

“It only made me more determined,” says Elaine. “I believe in Africa and it was time for the world to recognise what we have to offer and can bring to the spa and wellness world.”

Alison Caroline Ng’ethe

The SWAA Network was launched at the Tribe Hotel in Nairobi in January 2014. The event brought together managers, suppliers and owners in order to network and find solutions to country-specific issues. The plan is to hold a SWAA Network event once a year in various African countries, with Morocco and Nigeria next on the list.

Alison is founder and owner of the Alison Caroline Institute, an internationally recognised training college for beauty, fitness and holistic therapies.

She is also a part-time examiner for the International Examination Therapy Council and runs a beauty studio based in Nairobi called SKIN.

Raoul Andrews-Sudre Founder and senior adviser of Aspen Spa Management, Raoul is an acknowledged spa expert. As a specialist in the conceptualisation, designing and management of customised destination spas in luxury hotels, Raoul has over 50 years’ experience in the field of hospitality consulting.

Suki Kalirai Suki has 25 years’ experience at the highest level in business. She is chairman of the Spa Business Association and director of Habia (the UK standards organisation for this industry).

BELOW: Elaine Okeke-Martin at the GSWS

Awareness of SWAA has continued to grow and Elaine was invited to be a member of the Africa Panel at the Global Spa and Wellness Summit (GSWS) in Marrakech in September 2014. The fact that GSWS was being held in Africa for the first time, along with the many questions put by delegates to the Africa Panel, underlines the growing status of Africa in the global spa and wellness economy.

Through the Spa & Wellness Africa magazine, Elaine and SWAA intend to bring spa and wellness information and industry news to African readers.

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GLOBAL SPA & WELLNESS SUMMIT

CITIZENS OF TOMORROW WILL RELY ON SPA SECTOR Significant alterations in human behaviour and lifestyle over the coming decades will have a major impact on the spa and wellness industry around the world, delegates at the eighth Global Spa & Wellness Summit were told.

Over 45 nations gathered at the summit in Marrakech, Morocco, in September 2014 to discuss the future of the industry.

The conference dealt with topics such as the influence of architecture and design on experience and sustainability; the seismic generational and gender shift; the impact of technology on human interaction; and Africa’s role in wellness.

Susie Ellis, chairman and chief executive of the GSWS said: “This year’s GSWS agenda included futurists, marketing gurus and, of course, spa and wellness experts.

The journey we took together into our future was full of game changers, and we’ve identified 10 major shifts that will impact how we will approach wellness in the future.”

LIFESTYLE SHIFTS WILL BE A GAME CHANGER The conference was told about 10 major lifestyle shifts likely to impact the spa and wellness industry:

ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN For decades, the spa industry has relied on Asian influences to guide not only spa menus but also the look and feel of its facilities. The maverick Danish architect Bjarke Ingels told delegates: “You not only have the ability, you have the responsibility to change the spaces we live in.” His unique designs promise to inspire a complete rethink in how to approach spa architecture and create sustainable designs.

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AUTHENTICITY IN OVERDRIVE Authenticity – the seeking of local, indigenous experiences – has long been a rallying cry in spa and wellness treatments; but mass urbanisation has led to an insistence on ‘can’t get anywhere else’ experiences.

“Increasingly, it’s not the destination that matters, it’s the experience,” said CBS travel editor Peter Greenberg. “Generic luxury no longer satisfies most of us; there is a growing desire to find the heartbeat of a place and culture and then share it with the rest of the world on social networks.”

OUTSMARTING YOUR GENES “Predictive, personalised, preventative health care will transform the landscape of healthcare over the next decade,” Dr Nasim Ashraf of DNA Health Corporation told delegates. “Epigenetic testing is essentially the science of outsmarting your genes.”

Dr Ashraf pointed out that much of our wellbeing could be influenced by our environment. And as personalised genetic testing continues to get not only more sophisticated but also more affordable, it’s possible to know what chronic diseases and conditions individuals are prone to and then prescribe not only the right treatments, but the lifestyle changes that can prevent illness.

GENERATIONAL AND GENDER SHIFT Spa and wellness marketers will need to cast a wider net by focusing on emerging generations rather than the ageing, timerich Baby Boomers. A huge demographic shift from male to female is also taking place. Owing to longer lives and increasing wealth and education, women will grow rapidly in influence. Kjell Nordstrom, the Swedish economist and co-author of ‘Funky Business’, told delegates: “The population of women in cities is massively on the rise and wealth is being transferred from men to women.”

ABOVE AND LEFT: Excitement in the buildup to the Global Spa and Wellness Summit 2014

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GLOBAL SPA & WELLNESS SUMMIT URBANISATION By 2030 we will have moved away from suburbanisation to urbanisation, with 80 per cent of all people living in urban settings.

Delegates at the GSWS heard that the perception of the world as 200 countries would quickly shift to one of 600 cities, whose inhabitants would crave nature and simplicity, but also extreme fitness, beauty and wellness.

THE LONELINESS EPIDEMIC “We used to die of old age; soon we’ll be dying of loneliness,” said Kjell Nordstrom.

He said urbanisation, technology and demographic shifts were driving an overarching sense of ‘aloneness’ that spa and wellness centres would help abate. Thirty years from now, 60 per cent of households will be single. (In Stockholm, 64 per cent of households are already single and in Amsterdam, 60 per cent.) As an industry based on contact and touch, spas can combat this trend, connecting people in a world that has created a dependence on screens for company.

WELLNESS TOURISM MOMENTUM Less than a year ago, the GSWS and longterm research partner SRI International launched the concept of wellness tourism. Today, governments and companies are embracing this key market segment with an estimated value of US$ 494 billion and growth of 12.5 per cent year on year.

Unique approaches to wellness tourism are being seen across the globe. For example, VisitFinland markets silence as its biggest resource, while a Congolese safari company promises to put a child through school with each booking.

AUTHENTIC AFRICAN RENAISSANCE Indigenous and authentic experiences will lead many travellers to countries they have never experienced before; and Africa – a continent little understood by most of the world and often associated with disease and chaos by the mainstream media – will be at the heart of this explosion in wellness tourism. This will be furthered with a clearer recognition of the cultural identities and unique approaches to health, wellbeing and beauty in the 50-plus countries that make up Africa.

Spa revenue in Africa is already on the

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rise with new data showing an impressive 186 per cent growth from 2007 to 2013 in sub-Saharan Africa. African panellists warned delegates not to subvert Africa’s unique spa and wellness identity in a spalike sheen.

The Moroccan Agency for Tourism Development (SMIT) – host country sponsor of this year’s summit – has put spa and wellness at the front and centre of its tourism initiatives; and with US$ 253 million in annual spa revenues, the country ranks second in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

TECHNOLOGY ON FAST FORWARD For good or bad, according to Paul Price, keynote speaker and retail and marketing expert, technology will not only remain at the forefront of our world but will embed itself even deeper, altering the way we do everything. He told delegates: “Don’t be seduced by bright and shiny objects and don’t let the technology drive your decisions.

Instead, consider moving your tech department into your marketing department so the IT team is driven by the marketers and not the other way around.”

He said new currencies would be developed, 3D printing would deliver products on demand, wearable technology would shape wellness, and location specific marketing would push offers. And, at some point, information overload would send people looking for a health and wellness concierge to help sift through all the information and simplify our choices.

WELLNESS COMMUNITIES MAKE A COMEBACK Before the economic downturn there was a lot of talk of ‘spa real estate’ but many of these projects crashed and burned along with the economy. Now, whole communities are being designed and branded with wellness at their very core. Mixed use properties – a combination of hotels and residences – have emerged as a potentially viable financial model in this sector. Serenbe, a community outside Atlanta, has been designed with well-being informing every decision, creating a new kind of community with sustainability, green building, organic farming, culture, arts and fitness at its core.

For more information, visit: www.gsws.org

PICTURED: Elaine Okeke-Martin and Dzigbordi K. Dosoo

LEFT: Susie Ellis

PICTURES: The main industry event is under way

ABOUT THE SUMMIT The Global Spa & Wellness Summit (GSWS) is an international organisation representing senior executives and leaders with a common interest in driving economic development and understanding of the spa and wellness industry.

The summit, which is hosted by a different country each year, draws delegates from over 45 countries in a range of sectors including hospitality, tourism, health and wellness, beauty, finance, medicine, real estate, manufacturing and technology. After just seven years, the GSWS is widely regarded as the leading research and educational resource for the world’s US$ 3.4 trillion spa and wellness industry.

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1ST ANNUAL AFRICAN SPA AND WELLNESS CONFERENCE

Mauritius

TO HOST SWA A’S FIRST CONFERENCE The first conference of the Spa & Wellness Association of Africa (SWAA) is to be held in Mauritius next September, thus fulfilling an ambition of Elaine Okeke-Martin, president of SWAA, to bring together key stakeholders and look for ways to build the spa industry of tomorrow.

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T

he beautiful island of Mauritius lies at a crossroads between Africa, the Middle East and Asia. This multicultural island is also at the forefront of Africa’s spa and wellness industry – an ideal place to launch the first African spa and wellness conference, to be held from 2 to 4 September 2015.

The conference programme is on the theme of building true African spa concepts in 2015. Workshops will be held on traditional holistic healing and innovative products. There will be a spa design competition and a discussion of spa standards in Africa.

As well as encouraging special guests to share their experiences and insights, the conference allows them to be part of an exciting trend that is gaining momentum on the continent.

Key speakers will include Hermogene Nsengimana, secretary general of the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO), who will talk about the need for a coordinated quality infrastructure in Africa to create more diversification and added value of exported goods and services – including spa and wellness - in order to participate more effectively across the world.

African traditions

Another speaker, Magatte Wade, is looking to create high-end retail brands based on diverse African traditions. Born in Senegal and educated in France, she began her entrepreneurial career in San Francisco.

She is founder and CEO of Tiossan, an upmarket skin care products line based on indigenous Senegalese recipes and ingredients. Magatte Wade was named one of the 20 Youngest Power Women in Africa by Forbes in 2011. Her topic will be ‘Branding True African Holistic Healing Treatments’ for the trade market, as more people seek lifestyle healing and coaching. She will give examples of African treatments that spas can adapt.

Africa has a huge role to play in the years to come. Defining and putting down data that has never been done before will be the start for the spa and wellness industry here. It is a unique conference because it will be touching on topics that have been pushed away by many owing to lack of data and research.

Key industry people attending the conference will include:

Owners and operators of spas, wellness centres and medical spas

Spa and wellness managers and senior staff

Wellness education training institutions and accreditation centres

National and international spa and wellness architects and designers

National and international product and equipment providers

National and international spa and wellness consultants Policy makers and planners in the field of spa and wellness education, health, spa and wellness and African traditional healing Cosmetic laboratories and formulators Specialist media and press.

There are opportunities for Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsorship partners to get involved in the signature event of the fastgrowing African spa and wellness industry.

They are invited to showcases their brands and promote their professional services to the African market’s key decision makers and benefit from the media opportunities this event will attract.

The plan is to hold this conference every year to develop education and spas in Africa.

For sponsorship inquiries please email: conference@spaassociationofafrica.com

SMART VENUE The Mauritius conference will be held at the LUX* Belle Mare Resort near the seaside village of Belle Mare.

The hotel has excellent facilities and a magnificent spa. Thatched villas overlook immaculate white sands, while the hotel’s pristinely decorated suites offer breathtaking views of the tropical gardens and lagoon.

LUX* Resorts & Hotels is a member of Lux Island Resorts Co Ltd, an affiliate of GML (Groupe Mon Loisir), a major economic player in the Indian Ocean.

GML is active in key sectors of the Mauritian economy, with some 300 subsidiaries and associated companies.

BELOW: Key speakers Hermogene Nsengiana and Magatte Wade

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LUX RESORTS

Putting the LUX*

into luxury spas 14

LUX RESORTS

LUX* Belle Mare, on the east coast of Mauritius, is a beautiful spa resort in beautiful surroundings. With its vibrant energy and warm hospitality, this recently refurbished property was a clear choice to host the annual conference of the Spa & Wellness Association of Africa. We interview Jeff Butterworth, chief spa and wellness officer for LUX* Resorts and Hotels.

JEFF BUTTERWORTH

Chief spa and wellness officer LUX* Resorts and Hotels

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B

eautiful Mauritius is an island of contrasts, with fabulous white beaches and glimmering lagoons against a background of jagged mountains. Unsurprisingly, this wonderful island has a large number of spa resorts, offering an earthly paradise for those looking to escape the bustle for some rest and relaxation.

As the chief spa and wellness officer at LUX*, Jeff Butterworth knows Belle Mare inside out and is passionate about the industry. Starting out as a naturopathic doctor, Jeff spent many years setting up medical practices and working as a university lecturer. His interests led him to India with the aim of setting up a luxury wellness resort.

Says Jeff: “I have always applied my naturopathic knowledge to the spa environment, which creates deeper, authentic healing experiences for guests.”

Drawing on these experiences, Jeff and the team at LUX* Belle Mare are able to provide guests with the kind of exceptional services and unique touches that create an unforgettable time. As if the idyllic location

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and superb spa facilities were not enough, Jeff says the team has developed a ‘range of reasons to go to LUX*’ that help it to stand out in a competitive industry.

“We roast our own coffee, make our own ice creams and brew our own beer,” says Jeff. “We also offer guests free worldwide phone calls, complimentary water sports and, of course, an extensive menu of spa treatments.”

Personalised

Today, more and more people regard health and wellbeing as a necessity rather than a luxury. LUX* Belle Mare demonstrates how the industry has adapted to this by ensuring that individual needs are met. Rather than simply offering a standard treatment menu – as many traditional spas do – LUX* Belle Mare goes the extra mile to provide guests with a unique one-to-one experience.

“Our whole philosophy is personalised wellness and every guest is offered a consultation with our wellness concierge to create a unique wellness experience,” says Jeff. In

addition to its holistic spa treatments, LUX* Belle Mare offers Chinese medicine treatments within its Balinese and Ayurvedic treatment menus. The company’s own spa and wellness brand LUX*Me is available in its spas – something Jeff believes will play a key role in its future.

“Within the next three years, my vision is to make LUX*Me an internationally recognised spa and wellness brand, with LUX* Belle Mare playing a huge part in this as our signature resort,” says Jeff.

LUX RESORTS

ABOVE: An authentic healing experience

together to improve the all-round experience for guests. “The merging of the spa and wellness and hotelier industries is the perfect marriage,” says Jeff, “especially now that spas are becoming a necessary facility that all hotels need today.”

He points out, however, that adding an average spa to an outstanding hotel is not enough. “Spa-goers are very savvy when it comes to spa and wellness and will only choose a hotel if they know they will get quality service and experiences.”

are passionate about Africa and work hard to establish Africa as a wellness destination.

The association is set up to give something back to the continent and we are delighted to be involved.”

Establishing Africa as a leading wellness destination is a goal for many spa owners across the country. Today, Africa has become a leading wellness destination, with luxury spa resorts from Marrakech to Zanzibar to Cape Town, including many award winners.

Amid the busy day-to-day life of work-

It was an honour to be chosen to host the conference and to be associated with SWAA

Following a recent refurbishment – with interiors by renowned designer Kelly Hoppen – LUX* Belle Mare is on its way to an even brighter future. “The word ‘lux’ itself means light,” says Jeff, “and as a company, we try to keep the experience lighter and brighter for all our guests.”

Perfect marriage

As more and more hotels add spa facilities to their sites, the hospitality sector and the spa and wellness industry are working

As well as improving the service for guests, having a spa on site can do wonders for business by persuading customers return again and again to relive the relaxation. Thus, in addition to word-of-mouth recommendations, having a spa can generate revenue for the hotel by keeping guests and employees happy and pushing the business forward.

Proud

Being chosen to host the forthcoming Spa & Wellness Association of Africa conference was a proud moment for LUX* Belle Mare. “It was an honour to be chosen to host the conference and to be associated with SWAA,” says Jeff. “All of their directors

ing in a spa and the excitement of hosting the SWAA conference, Jeff finds time to relax at weekends by enjoying the beautiful landscapes of the island. “I like to get in the ocean for surfing or swimming,” he says. “If not the ocean, I like to go hiking or trial running in the mountains.”

Or, if he doesn’t fancy heading outside for some rejuvenation, it’s LUX* Belle Mare’s Zheng Liao treatment which keeps him in good shape. “I really like the Zheng Liao Chinese treatment that we offer at the spa. It lasts around 90 to 120 minutes and combines Chinese massage, cupping and moxibustion [a medicine therapy using moxa]. The treatment helps me to detox and keep my body in balance.”

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DENZIL PHILLIPS

AFRICA’S NATURAL CURES HAVE A GLOBAL POTENTIAL Africans have long been aware of the healing and therapeutic properties of medicinal plants. Now, two leading organisations are working together to develop quality standards for Africa’s medicinal plants and have them recognised worldwide.

T

he Association for African Medicinal Plants Standards (AAMPS) was set up by leading organisations involved in the identification, research, development, trade and manufacture of herbal medicines and related products.

Owing to synergies between AAMPS and the more recently formed Spa & Wellness Association of Africa, the two organisations have agreed to work together to further quality standards in their respective domains and to develop and promote African wellness products based on Africa’s rich botanical and cultural heritage.

Trade standards

Since its inception AAMPS has been promoting trade standards and regulations for the cultivation, manufacture and use of Africa’s most important medicinal, aromatic and cosmetic plants.

In 2010 it published the African Herbal Pharmacopoeia, a compendium of 52 of the most important medicinal plants used in herbal medicine. AAMPS now aims to include more plants used in the fragrance, flavours and beauty care industry.

Leading experts on African medicinal plants are included on the board of directors of AAMPS and its scientific advisory committee.

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AIMS OF AAMPS AAMPS, which is based in Mauritius, was founded in May 2005 at a meeting in Centurion, South Africa.

The aims of the organisation were set out in the so-called Centurion Declaration: To support the African herbal industry and regulatory authorities by developing quality control and quality assurance standards for African medicinal plants and herbal medicines.

LEFT: Sutherlandia frutescens

To offer membership to any individual or organisation dedicated such standards and to the creation of an African Herbal Pharmacopoeia

To jointly review and promote the 23 African herbal profiles being prepared by the University of Pretoria’s Department of Phytomedicine. These herbal profiles include plants of African origin that are considered of regional and international importance and can be sustainably sourced in Africa.

To raise funds to prepare and disseminate a further 30 African herbal profiles selected by the founding members.

To publish an African Herbal Pharmacopoeia drawn initially from the 53 herbal profiles and to promote the use of this database nationally and internationally.

To seek international acceptance of these herbal standards and to lobby health authorities throughout Africa to apply such standards to the licensing of safe and effective herbal medicines.

To encourage the setting up of regional training centres for the certification, compliance and quality control of herbal medicines.

To promote safe and sustainable national and international trade in the 50 profiled African medicinal plants. www.aamps.org

MAN WITH A MISSION One of the key figures in the campaign to bring the benefits of African medicinal plants to a worldwide public is L. Denzil Phillips.

Denzil is a founder director of the Association for African Medicinal Plants Standards (AAMPS), which promotes quality standards for medicinal plants and natural products.

In addition, he is an adviser to the board of the Spa & Wellness Association and consultant to the Caribbean Spa & Wellness Association.

Denzil has over 30 years’ experience of working in the field of botanicals and natural products, particularly in Africa, Caribbean and the Pacific.

His company, Denzil Phillips International Ltd, advises some of the world’s leading companies and development organisations operating in the field of spa and wellness, natural beauty care, natural medicines, fragrances and cosmetics. www.denzil.com

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MAGATTE WADE

A passionate belief IN AFRICA’S HEALING ARTS

‘Don’t bring your Swedish massages to Africa and ask us to ignore the healing traditions we’ve had for thousands of years. Africa has its own health, beauty and healing arts that must be respected’ MAGATTE WADE SPEAKING AT THE GLOBAL SPA & WELLNESS SUMMIT

M

agatte Wade began body care than I do for beverages, She has owned multiple companies, been her professional so when I left Adina I immediately named one of Forbes ‘Youngest Power career in the San Francisco Bay focused on creating a skin care area as a corporate head-hunter. product line.”

Women in Africa’ and was presented with But the Senegalese entrepreneur the first-ever ‘Leading Woman in Wellness has always had a passion for spa Tiossan was born out of Magatte’s and wellness.

Award’ at the 2014 Global Spa & Wellness passion for spa and wellness She visited her favourite spas Summit. Is there anything Magatte Wade treatments: with friends each week and it “While I’ve long loved spas, became an essential part of her can’t do? Spa & Wellness Africa finds out.

I really am a skin and body care life. And as her career expanded geek. I love collecting and trying to include international travel, hundreds of products, going Magatte began to explore some of deeply into the ingredients that are benthe best spas around: Her first company, Adina World Bevereficial and harmful, looking at their origins “Wherever you are in the world, there ages, produced organic and natural juice and then admiring the aesthetics of a well is nothing more refreshing and rejuvenatdrinks that were sold by various retailers. crafted skin care range. When I created ing than going to a quality spa. One of the “The process of creating a wellness-oriTiossan I felt as if I was finally living my most exciting developments over the past ented consumer product shifted my focus dream.”

20 years has been the growing range of from being a buyer to thinking carefully Tiossan is the only beauty brand inspired high-end spas in what used to be regarded about what goes into the art of producing a by the ancient healing wisdom of the tradias out-of-the-way places, including many high-quality product,” says Magatte. “But I tional medicine men of Wade’s native locations in Africa.” have a great deal more passion for skin and

Tiossan

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MAGATTE WADE

Senegal. It is also the only product line to feature Ellativa, a unique healing complex that contains black seed oil. Used for centuries

by Senegalese elders and described as ‘the remedy for everything, except death’, black seed oil has been shown by modern science to contain intense healing and anti-ageing properties.

Ellativa combines the properties of black seed oil with the healing benefits of unrefined shea butter, aloe vera and a blend of wild crafted essential oils. The combination is meant for everyday skin care and all skin types and is said to leave one’s skin looking younger and more radiant. It is free of gluten, parabens and phthalates, suitable for vegans, and does not involve animal testing.

“Although I love all of them, I must say that Le Sucre detoxifying body polish really is addictive. If my husband didn’t trust me he would think I had another lover in the shower when I exfoliate with it two to three times a week.”

Tiossan has managed to stay ahead as an industry leader. Magatte and her team are constantly looking for new spas, ingredients and treatments while continuously seeking deeper knowledge from the world’s traditional healers.

Tiossan products

Many women love Tiossan’s Le Soufi moisturizing body lotion and La Téranga hydrating body lotion, which have become part of their daily body care ritual. The aim of Magatte is to teach women that caring for one’s body should be a daily ritual rather than a luxury if they want to have healthy, vibrant and young-looking skin.

“Our brand is probably the only body care brand that takes the time to educate women on the importance of the daily body care ritual as part of their hygiene,” says Magatte. “Right now, it feels as if women spend 90 per cent of their time and money focusing mainly on their face, while everything else, from chin to toes, is grossly neglected. The only time they focus on those areas, it is within the context of a ‘pampering’ moment, a once-in-a-while luxury. Personally I butter up from head to toe with our cream and lotion every day when I come out of the shower or bath.”

Tiossan’s Le Sucre detoxifying body polish has many fans.

The all-natural sugar-based butter literally melts onto one’s skin in the shower.

For some women, the company’s perfumes have become their signature scent.

So what is Magatte’s personal favourite product?

Diverse

BELOW: High quality products

Describe an average day, Magatte says: “Unbelievably diverse! I may spend some time talking to my expert green chemist on a new product line we are developing, then chat to my social media coordinator about one of our upcoming campaigns. Next I would stop by a local boutique or spa to see how customers are getting on with our products. I might work with our branding and design teams on our next iteration of packaging and I would often attend meetings of various sorts. Finally, I would come home and talk to my husband about our respective days, which is partially social

but also includes ‘big picture’ conversations about our brand and products.”

Tiossan has a particular interest in combining modern health practices with the ancient wisdom of African healers.

So what does Magatte look for when visiting a spa? “Beauty, comfort, peace and sophisticated authenticity. I certainly care about the particular treatments available, but for me the ambience and aesthetics are a ‘sine qua non’ [essential part] of a great spa experience. I don’t care how good the treatments are; if my spirit is not at peace and bathed in beauty from the moment I walk through the door, then I cannot really experience the benefits of the treatments.

The best spas are at the forefront of integrating beauty and wellness into one. I am absolutely uncompromising when it comes to aesthetics.”

Tiossan is certainly an industry leader.

Magatte Wade’s production principles are something we should all hold and look up to. But is she excited about the Spa & Wellness Association of Africa?

“Extremely so. I see SWAA as a crucial platform for supporting the growth and the integration of Africans into the 21st century spa and wellness industry.”

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LIGHTING AND DESIGN

By Kirsten Alexander

SET THE MOOD

with perfect lighting and design

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n the lucrative spa and wellness industry, it is often the small touches that can mean the difference between a good experience and an unforgettable one.

With the global spa industry now worth an estimated US$94 billion – wellness tourism in general is valued at a staggering US$494 billion – it’s little wonder that some spas are going the extra mile to make their clients feel revived, rejuve-

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nated and refreshed.

And with venues offering ever more elaborate and interesting additions to the traditional spa packages – from macrobiotic menus to dentistry units to glass-bottomed treatments rooms above a coral reef – clients are spoilt for choice when it comes to rest and relaxation.

While all these extravagant features help to get clients through the door, perhaps it is time to take notice of the

smaller details that can amplify a spa’s profile – simple details such as lighting and design.

Lighting

Imagine this: you walk into your favourite spa where you are greeted by friendly staff, ready for a massage, when you suddenly notice the glaring fluorescent lights of the treatment room. Relaxation ruined.

Although at first glance it might not

BELOW: Subtle and elegant lighting

seem an important factor in spa design, creating the right lighting can make or break a customer’s happiness and take away the calming ambience they desire. Long gone are the days of placing a dimly glowing lamp in the corner of the room; now, lighting can be a key factor in the design of a spa, maximising the effects and benefits it can provide not only to the company but also to the clients.

As lighting becomes a vital element of

spa design, London-born and Moroccobased designer Yahya has recognised the interplay between brightness and style. He creates intricate lighting designs inspired

by Eastern elegance, inherited from his Jewish-Moroccan father, and Western minimalism, a reflection of his Anglo-German mother. His simple idea of combining subtle lighting with sophisticated design has made him a huge success in the spa and wellness industry. His first gallery opened quietly in

2005 and the designs sold out in six weeks.

While Yahya’s works are not solely for the spa and wellness industry – he has prestigious clients commissioning orders for projects around the world – it is clear why his designs are appearing more and more in spas.

While artificial light can define moods and be integrated into the design, natural light can also transform the ambience of a spa. By drawing the outside inside, the

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designer allows guests to enjoy the calmness of nature from the comfort of a treatment room. Large, strategically placed windows can light up a space without the harshness of artificial lighting. However, this only works in the daytime – and in good weather – so it is always a good idea to have back-up lighting in a room where natural light is the main attraction.

Design

Like other lifestyle products – clothing, make-up, cars, etc – spa design goes though trend cycles, with different styles becoming more or less prominent over time.

From minimal and chic to opulent grandeur, deciding which style works best for a spa is

important in providing customers with ultimate satisfaction. Today, there is a broad spectrum of what constitutes a beautiful design, and many owners are becoming more adventurous in their choice of styles.

For many owners, however, the main focus is still on luxury, and there are many ways of achieving luxury in spa design. For designer Yahya, it is the small, intricate details of his designs that give spas the understated grandeur that makes them so luxurious. Every piece is handmade using ancestral techniques to create designs of breathtaking intricacy and detail that showcase a room like nothing else can. This simple concept produces elegant results, unmatched in the industry.

The design of a spa is not focused simply on the places where the relaxation actually occurs – treatment rooms, pools etc.

Thought, care and attention go into every part of the spa to give the guests a real feeling of relaxation and escapism. From the reception area to the changing rooms, and in some cases also the complete exterior, the design of a spa is thought through in order to provide a fluid consistency throughout. (Of course, it may be that the spa is intentionally going for a mishmash of themes, styles and colours, although that idea is unlikely to take off.)

HOT RIGHT NOW With spa trends changing constantly, it can be hard to stay on top of what’s in fashion. The following spa trends are expected to be big news in the near future:

CLUED UP ON COLOUR Different colours have been shown to evoke different emotions in people – useful in the health and wellbeing industry. Coloured lighting and decor can transform a room and encourage relaxation. Here is a selection of colours and the moods they can help to create.

BLUE: Tranquillity and peace TURQUOISE: Healing and strengthening of the immune system GREEN: Creating harmony, balance and wholeness RED: Vitality and strength VIOLET: Spirituality and inspiration YELLOW: Energy and intellect MAGENTA: Releasing of negative thought patterns WHITE: Purity and cleanliness.

ABOVE: Changing spa trends

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR: From better quality pillows to purification of air and water, spas are responding to the popularity of all things health, fitness and well-being, starting from the basics.

PUT A SPRING IN YOUR STEP: Thermal springs date back further than any other spa experience, but they are also hot news, with a growing focus on nature in the spa and wellness industry.

DEFYING GRAVITY: In addition to traditional pools and Jacuzzis, flotation pools are a popular new feature around the world, enhancing the weightless feeling that comes with spa relaxation.

Taken from Spafinder Wellness 365’s 2014 Trends Report

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AFRICAN PLANTS

By Denzil Phillips

Africa’s ancient remedies

GET A NEW LEASE OF LIFE To date there are no internationally known African spa and wellness treatments. Yet the continent, with its abundance of medicinal plants and trees, has an age-old tradition of tried and tested herbal remedies and skin products. To bring these fine products to the attention of a worldwide audience is one of the key objectives of the Spa & Wellness Association of Africa.

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fricans more than any people on earth rely on medicinal plants and traditional healing remedies for their health and wellness.

Sub-Saharan African has more than 60,000 plant species, nearly a quarter of the world total, on which healers, midwives and artisans can draw to make medicines, beauty and skin care products and food ingredients.

Most people know that the Egyptians were among the first to develop perfumes and cosmetics. What is less well known is that these ancient formulators had to travel deep into the heart of Africa to the so-called Land of Punt (present-day Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia and beyond) to find the raw materials for these products.

This transcontinental trade in African medicinal and aromatic plants, which began in the days of the pharaohs, has continued throughout history.

The vast majority of plants used in African traditional remedies are wild-harvested, with barks, roots, flowers and leaves being collected from rainforests and savanna grasslands in the heart of the continent.

That is why the balance between man and nature has been of critical importance to Africa and why the health and wellness of its people is so closely linked with that of its plant and animal kingdom.

Habitat

Today land erosion, deforestation, urbanisation and war directly threaten the way of life and habitat of African healers and, through them, the wellness of African people.

In most of Africa the boundary between spiritual healing and physical wellbeing has never been rigidly defined; and nor have the borders between animal and human health, medicine and poison, cosmetic and ritual adornment.

African healers embrace all these concepts in a holistic manner. Not surprisingly, the African plants that increasingly find their way into spas, salons and department stores around the world all have multifunctional origins.

There are few ancient books about African wellness and traditional healing.

Instead, traditional skills have been passed down by word of mouth from generation to generation. Such oral traditions are rapidly disappearing and, with them, some of Africa’s treasure-house of ancient recipes used to enhance the health and wellness of its people. Luckily, modern scientists have rediscovered much information about the rich heritage of the great African biodiversity and more and more African plants are finding their way into present-day formulations and therapies.

Let us examine just a few from around the continent:

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AFRICAN PLANTS

By Denzil Phillips

FRANKINCENSE & MYRRH

MARULA

SHEA BUTTER

SAUSAGE TREE

THE HORN OF AFRICA

SOUTH WEST AFRICA

WEST AFRICAN

SOUTHERN AFRICAN

One of the oldest and most interesting forms of wellness treatment can be seen in the illustrations and carvings found in Ancient Egypt. Strange cones can be seen on the heads of the people portrayed on walls and tombs. These were highly perfumed unguents with a low melting point.

As the wearers became warm, the cones would slowly melt and the fragrant oils would run over them.

These unguents, including such biblical ingredients as frankincense and myrrh, were brought down the Nile from the Horn of Africa. Both frankincense and myrrh are gum resins extracted from shrub-like trees of the Burseraceae family which grow in dry, rocky regions of northern Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia and Yemen.

The botanical name is Sclerocarya birrea subsp. caffra and the tree is a member of the family Anacardiaceae found right across southern Africa.

It has medicinal properties against boils, malaria, and diarrhoea which are attributed to infusions of the bark, leaves or sap of the marula tree. It is claimed that blood circulation is aided by a steam bath of marula bark extracts mixed with extracts of other plants and roots. Zulu women boil the pulp from the seed into a mass with water until an oily residue emerges.

This precious substance is used as a beauty treatment for cracked skin on the hands, feet and lips. The fruit may also be used as an insecticide and germicide, it is claimed. The marula is one of the most ancient commonly used wild fruit of southern Africa.

Archaeological evidence shows that this fruit was used about 10,000 years BC. The Zulu people still use it in marriage and other special ceremonies. The bride and bridegroom use a decoction of the bark to bathe and wash their faces in order to purify their bodies. The red bark is used to cure diarrhoea and to give the body power. As more facts have emerged about its benefits to nutrition, health and skincare, it has been used more and more in the spa and wellness industry.

Shea butter (or beurre de karitĂŠ in French), is derived from the shea nut tree (Butyrospermum parkii) which grows in the vast parkland savanna zone of Sahelian Africa. This butter has been used since before the pharaohs to moisturise and protect the skin from sun, wind, heat and salt water.

Shea butter can be used for all forms of massage as it creates a frictionless yet easy-grip surface, allowing for the smoothest and most therapeutic deep tissue work which tens of thousands of women in West Africa and beyond have traditionally used to moisturise their babies and rub over their wombs after childbirth.

Owing to its unsaponifiable nature, shea butter cannot rob the skin of its natural oils and can actually help stimulate the production of collagen.

It can be very effective in helping to alleviate wrinkles, scars and burns. It can also be used as a hair dressing to moisturise a dry scalp and stimulate hair growth. Used as pomade, it helps to hold the hairstyle and lightly relax curls. Medicinally, shea butter has been studied as an anti-inflammatory topical cream and anti- rheumatic and as a traditional treatment against eczema and dermatitis.

The sausage tree (kigelia) grows to 20 metres or more and is semi-deciduous with smooth grey-brown bark and velvety maroon flowers. The unusual grey sausage-shaped fruit that gives the tree its common name hangs from rope-like stalks. The fruit can reach over a metre in length and weigh as much as 10 kg. Under the thin skin is firm and fibrous fruit pulp containing many small seeds. Kigelia is native to south central Africa, from Tanzania in the north to KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa in the south. Its habitat includes open woodlands and moist places such as riverbanks on alluvial soils.

Scientific literature has shown antibacterial activity; and kigelia extract has also been shown to contract the area of small wounds. Commercial kigelia preparations for treating the skin are marketed in South Africa and beyond as it is widely believed that these creams reduce pigmentation in freckles and help sores to heal – the latter effect possibly being related to traditional wound-healing and antibacterial components.

In Europe and Asia, the traditional claims for bust-firming and skintightening properties have led to its use in many commercial applications and skin-care products are available in these markets. Many scientists believe that extracts from kigelia will be seen more and more in the global spa and wellness industry and beyond.

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AFRICAN ORGANISATION FOR STANDARDISATION (ARSO)

A MISSION TO GET AFRICA IN LINE WITH GLOBAL TRADING STANDARDS With the increasing globalisation of trade, standardisation of goods and services has become critical to ensuring access to export markets. The African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) has a mission to harmonise standards throughout the continent and bring Africa into line with international trading practice.

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any developing countries in Africa are facing significant standardisation challenges, including an inability to participate fully in the development of international standards and a lack of basic technical infrastructure for conformity assessment.

This in turn has highlighted the need for a well coordinated quality infrastructure in Africa for achieving added value and diversifying the export markets to ensure quality

MEMBERS OF ARSO The 35 members of ARSO are: Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Congo Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, New State of Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Sudan, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

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EDUCATION PROGRAMME

LEFT: Dr Nelson Githinji speaking at the 49th ARSO Council meeting

products, market access and participation in the global trading system.

Origins of ARSO

The idea of founding a continental standards body – the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) – was inspired by the need to develop an effective quality infrastructure in Africa as part of the Boosting Intra-Africa Trade agenda and to allow Africa to integrate with global trading systems.

ARSO – originally known as the African Regional Organisation for Standardisation – was founded in Accra, Ghana, in January 1977 under the auspices of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

A total of 21 African countries and international organisations were represented at the founding conference.

As an intergovernmental organisation, ARSO is the focal point for standardisation and conformity assessment in Africa with a mandate: To harmonise national and subregional standards as African Standards and issue recommendations to member bodies for this purpose.

To initiate and coordinate the development of African Standards (ARS) with reference to products of peculiar interest to Africa.

To encourage and facilitate the adoption of international standards by member bodies.

To promote and facilitate the exchange of experts, information and cooperation in training of personnel in standardisation activities.

To coordinate the views of its members at the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO); the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC); the Inter-

national Organisation of Legal Metrology (OIML); the Codex food standards agency; and other international organisations concerned with standardisation.

The ARSO standardisation mandate is based on the strategic priorities of the African Union and is geared to giving policy directions in the devising of harmonised approaches and priorities in standardisation and conformity

ARSO is cooperating with academia, trade associations and consumer representatives as well as national standardisation bodies (NSBs) to roll out standards education programmes in the African education systems to raise awareness of the role of standards, metrology and conformity assessment in value addition, industrialisation, market creation and access.

ARSO is cooperating with African universities, the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (Kenya), the School for Advanced Studies in Communication, Standards and Metrology (DR Congo) and the Graduate School of Science and Technology of Information and Communication (Cameroon).

ARSO IS THE FOCAL POINT FOR STANDARDISATION AND CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT IN AFRICA assessment so as to assist intra-African and international trade and on a wider perspective the African Integration Agenda.

Strategic objectives

Within the main strategic direction of the 2014-2017 strategic framework, the main objectives of ARSO are: 1. To establish a standards harmonisation system that supports a sound regulatory framework.

2. To disseminate harmonised standards and guidelines to support intra-African and international trade and industrialisation.

3. To strengthen ARSO work-management capabilities in order to sustain the organisation.

4. To promote maximum and effective participation of members and other stakeholders.

WHO RUNS ARSO ARSO is an intergovernmental organisation and membership is open to all African countries. There are currently 35 members (see panel).

The General Assembly is the supreme organ followed by the Council (consisting of the President and between six and 12 member bodies) which ensures compliance with ARSO rules of procedure. The implementing organ is the Central Secretariat headed by the Secretary General (currently Dr Hermogene Nsengimana) and based since 1980 in Nairobi, Kenya. www.arso-oran.org

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S ta 34

ying ahead

TRIBE HOTEL INTERVIEW

c u r e v h t e f o A frica’s spa industry is a modern-day phenomenon and the trend is very evident in Kenya. As competition goes on growing in the hotel sector, every five-star property is keen to make its mark by offering that extra luxury, a spa.

Nowadays, hotels that enter the market with the idea of having a spa at the conception stage are pushing the boundaries of design and outdoing each other in the creation of breathtaking designs. And as Africans become ever more aware of the need to be healthy and look after their outer beauty, the battle of the spas has intensified.

So how does a successful spa remain ahead of the curve in such a competitive industry? SWAA speaks to Hooman Ehsani, director and chairman of Nairobi’s Tribe hotel and its Kaya Spa, the first professional spa in Kenya to offer a world-class facility with reasonably priced treatments.

Q. What sparked your initial interest in the spa and wellness sector?

A. Hotel consultants originally told us that hotel spas rarely make money and simply act as a pleasant facility for guests. But I noticed a serious lack of quality spa and wellness facilities in Nairobi and a growing sophistication among the local clientele. I felt that Tribe could set a new benchmark for spas in the market, just as we had set a new global standard for hospitality in the region.

I had no previous experience in developing a spa, so the first mission was to hire knowledgeable consultants, the Spa People from Johannesburg, who assisted with the concept development, operations and treatment menu. Tribe then formed partnerships with some of the top international brands, who helped with training and product knowledge.

HOOMAN EHSANI Director and chairman of Nairobi’s Tribe Hotel and Kaya Spa

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TRIBE HOTEL INTERVIEW

Q. What is unique about Kaya Spa? A. Kaya offers unparalleled attention to design and service, with an emphasis on overall guest experience, just like Tribe Hotel itself. We wanted to create a space where clients are immediately swept away into a sense of tranquillity. This begins with a walk through a lush tropical garden before entering the minimally lit spa interior; while the hallways and treatment rooms host fantastic sculptures, artefacts and paintings from around the continent. The devil’s in the detail.

Q. What are the spa’s most popular treatments?

A. Our most popular treatment is the Kaya Massage, which won the Condé Nast award. The signature therapy is customised to address each individual’s needs and is personalised to preference of strength, whether it’s deep tissue or soft and relaxing and focusing on the back, shoulders, legs and feet.

The 60-minute massage starts with a Kenya Gold Coffee detox body polish. Rich in natural oils and emollients, this scrub combines natural ingredients such as sugar and coffee, with Asain botanicals to invigorate and exfoliate the skin. Next, a rejuvenating body mask detoxifies the pores, increasing elasticity and encouraging cell growth. A 60-minute aromatherapy massage follows, stimulating circulation and leaving the body refreshed, revived and polished.

Q. What characteristics does a successful spa need in order to remain ahead of the curve?

A. The most important feature is a high standard of hygiene. It’s vital that spas are clean and customer-friendly and we believe our five treatment rooms and hair studio are just that. Kaya Spa has always had the mindset to deliver a first-class wellness experience. Another valuable attribute is staff who are trained in both spa etiquette and treatment knowledge. We try to introduce new treatments and services to our spa, search for innovative products that offer a unique experience and focus on in-depth training of our staff. A good spa should focus on the overall experience from check-in to posttreatment care.

Every spa should look at itself as a business entity with structures, budgetary goals and development targets. We are currently averaging 800 treatments with a turnover of US$ 444,944 per annum. Our operational structure has perhaps had the biggest effect on our success. The support from our marketing department, who ensure that Kaya Spa is always prominent on social media, has really boosted the numbers; while our popular monthly specials and packages have also kept us ahead of the curve.

Q. Do you have any tips for someone wanting to pursue a career in the spa and wellness industry?

A. At Kaya, we look for wellness therapists who have gone beyond the basic training, often through international exposure in a variety of treatment types. Therapists need to also understand that there is much more to the spa experience than the treatment itself, and this comes with the correct attitude and professional etiquette. Some of the main tips would be:

ABOVE: Maximum relaxation

Ensure that you understand the market and keep abreast with the latest industry news through reading and researching.

Always listen to your clients and ensure that you understand and respond to their needs.

Make certain that your products are safe for the clients’ use.

Your treatment menu should include a variety that will cater for most individuals.

Ensure staff are well trained and understand the products and services you are offering.

Professionalism is vital in this industry.

You will always need great marketing and advertising.

Q. Do you have any future plans for Kaya Spa? A. Tribe and Kaya Spa have established a global presence and have proven that Africa, and Kenya, can offer excellent standards in the spa and wellness sector. We are in the process of refurbishing our changing rooms and shall be introducing our new menu in December, with innovative and exciting treatments. We are also looking to partner with one of the leading world nail products to ensure that Kaya Spa is offering the very best in the market.

Tribe recognises that staff are key and make up a huge part of a company’s success. Therefore, Kaya has joined up with an international college to give in-house training. Our goal is to remain at the top by ensuring that we are constantly connected to the market, are listening to our clients’ needs and always improving our services. www.tribe-hotel.com/kaya-spa

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38

HEALING EARTH

NATURAL TREATMENTS WORK BEST

says beauty guru

ELISABETH BRANDT, CEO AND FOUNDER OF HEALING EARTH

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t’s not unknown for women to brush, rub and spray up to 10 beauty products onto their bodies each day. In doing so, they could be exposing themselves to over 130 different chemicals.

But in recent years beauty lovers have begun to lose faith in the industry. If some companies are not telling us what’s in their products, how can we ever trust what we put on our skin?

Times are changing, however, and brands are returning to their roots by using only natural ingredients. Inspired by ancient African traditions, Healing Earth is a modern skin care brand unlike any other.

The company’s international research has resulted in a new generation of pure body care using a blend of natural botanicals and

organic essential oils.

With 25 years’ experience in the industry, Elisabeth Brandt has: Opened one of South Africa’s first fivestar spas Created the concept for the country’s first vinotherapy spa Run various other successful spas.

While managing these enterprises, Elisabeth was so shocked by the amount of synthetics and parabens used in many of the products available to spas that she decided to focus on creating her own pure holistic range. The result was Healing Earth, which she established in 2007.

“Healing Earth was created as an African brand that is premium, innovative and unique,” says Elisabeth. “We advocate a

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HEALING EARTH nurturing, conscious approach to beauty based on love for oneself, others and the earth we live on. As a company, our greatest delight lies in sharing Africa with the world.”

In spite of its long history and ancient origins, African traditional medicine is still relatively unknown outside the continent, while other medicines, such as traditional Chinese and ayurvedic from India, have been far more successful at penetrating contemporary Western society.

Medicine

Healing Earth is starting to change that. In essence, of course, all medicine is about diagnosing a problem, treating it and then making sure the person stays well in the long term, spiritually, physically and psychologically. Different cultures have achieved this in different ways depending on the resources available to them and their view of the world around them. In Africa, traditional healers inevitably turned to the roots, bulbs, tubers, bark, leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds and nectars growing in their vicinity.

Healing Earth has combined knowledge of nature’s healing power with a scientific understanding of exactly what each ingredient does and how, and has managed to incorporate it into each product.

Healing Earth believes that true holistic creations should be free from artificial colourants, petrochemicals, synthetic preservatives, parabens and other harmful chemicals. The brand firmly supports eco-friendly products that are not tested on animals and its packaging is

RIGHT: True holistic creations

biodegradable and recyclable, making its products some of the healthiest, safest and most trustworthy on the market.

As well as being passionate about the environment, the company is concerned with social responsibility. By paying Fairtrade prices, supporting local farmers and sticking to conscientious marketing principles, Healing Earth does its best to lead by example.

Healing Earth aspires to be one of the leaders in green, sustainable African beauty and skin care. And as spa treatments are an ideal way to bid farewell to the colder months, why not restore and revive winter skin at one of Healing Earth’s signature spas.

HEALING EARTH’S FLAGSHIP SPAS

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ABALONE HOUSE SPA

NO 5 BOUTIQUE ART HOTEL

PATERNOSTER, WESTERN CAPE

PORT ELIZABETH, EASTERN CAPE

GOLD ZANZIBAR BEACH HOUSE & SPA - ZANZIBAR

This intimate guesthouse is known for its luxurious decor and endless views of the bay. Add a world-class spa and guests have the perfect getaway. Just 90 minutes’ drive from Cape Town, the spa has four treatment rooms and a holistic salt therapy room. The spa’s New Moon Journey offers a rejuvenation experience using mongongo nut, known for its detoxifying properties.

It is the spa that really sets this five-star hotel apart. Visitors can make the most of a tranquil steam room and a rainforest shower, while the treatments are specially formulated to deal with everything from anti-ageing, balancing and detoxing to restoring, hydrating and firming. Those wishing to restore their skin’s natural glow can choose from a range of bespoke facials.

Situated on Zanzibar’s northwest coast, this five-star resort offers an extensive range of natural Healing Earth therapies in a combination of tranquil outdoor and intimate indoor treatment areas. Energising ingredients such as salt crystals, neroli, rose, shea butter, organic oil, ylang-ylang and Pinotage are used by a small team of professional therapists to address specific holistic needs.

www.abalonehouse.co.za

www.no5boutiquearthotel.com

www.goldzanzibar.com

SOME OF HEALING EARTH’S PROUD STOCKISTS

HEALING EARTH PRODUCTS

BAKWENA LODGE (BOTSWANA) www.chobebakwena.coms WILDERNESS SAFARIS GROUP (BOTSWANA, KENYA) www.wilderness-safaris.com ALISON KARIUKI (DISTRIBUTOR IN KENYA) alison.kariuki@jakinvestments.com DUNIYE GROUP OF SPAS (MALDIVES) www.duniyespas.com HILTON SEYCHELLES NORTHOLME RESORT & SPA www.placeshilton.com/seychelles THE ROYAL PORTFOLIO GROUP (SOUTH AFRICA) www.theroyalportfolio.com THE SINGITA GROUP (SOUTH AFRICA, TANZANIA, ZIMBABWE) www.singita.com PLAN HOTEL GROUP (TANZANIA, KENYA) www.planhotel.com HIDEAWAY OF NUNGWI (ZANZIBAR) www.hideawaynungwi.com DIAMONDS LA GEMMA (ZANZIBAR) www.lagemmadellest.diamonds-resorts.com DREAM OF ZANZIBAR www.emerald-collection.com WHITE SANDS VILLAS AND SPA (ZANZIBAR) www.whitesandvillas.com MATEMWE LODGE (ZANZIBAR) www.matemwelodge.asiliaafrica.com NEPTUNE RESORT (ZANZIBAR) www.neptunehotels.com HAKUNA MATATA (ZANZIBAR) www.hakuna-matata-beach-lodge.com

RAS NUNGWI HOTEL

HOTEL WHITE SANDS

NUNGWI, ZANZIBAR

DAR ES SALAAM

Set in a spectacular beach resort in the northern peninsula of Zanzibar, Ras Nungwi has a new spa offering an extensive range of Healing Earth face and body care solutions.

This extraordinary hotel relaxes even the most energetic of clients. A combination of Healing Earth products with a small team of qualified therapists will ensure any stay is a soothing one.

Situated on an idyllic stretch of private beachfront, just 25 km from the Dar es Salaam city centre, Hotel White Sands is the ultimate pampering destination.

Hotel White Sands is a relaxed seaside hotel which includes a spa offering Healing Earth facial ceremonies, massage rituals and other restorative pamper journeys.

www.rasnungwi.com

www.hotelwhitesands.com

EARTH SOUL RANGE: This sensuous collection consists of body polishes, oils, butters, creams and wraps that complement each other and work in harmony. The compilation uses native ingredients such as Kalahari melon, African ginger, baobab oil, rose, jasmine, aloe, African potato, mongongo nut, marula and neroli, coffee, cinnamon and orange.

PINOTAGE JOURNEYS: The Pinotage range is mainly used for ‘facial spa journeys’. The products utilise the strong antioxidant qualities of vitamin C and vitamin E, antioxidants, omegas and polyphenols found in the Pinotage grape. There is an abundance of natural skin botanicals in the seeds, skin and leaves of a pinotage to enhance the protective function of the skin. As well as skin renewal, this helps to counteract the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays, cigarette smoke, alcohol consumption, drug intake, dietary fat and stress – all known as ‘free radicals’.

LIFESTYLE RANGE: The Lifestyle range is based on two well researched and effective ingredients, lemon verbena and argan oil. The inspirational blend of African plants and oils creates the perfect synergy to treat the skin and hair.

IN-ROOM LUXURY AMENITIES: This exclusive anthology offers shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand soap, body lotion, bath crystals, foam bath and room spray. Guest soaps are hand-made by previously disadvantaged communities near Cape Town.

For more information, visit: www.healingearth.co.za

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BEAUTY SCHOOLS

By Alison Caroline Ng’ethe

F

or some time now, the popularity of spa and wellness therapy has been on a steep upward curve in Africa and the number of treatment centres is growing all the time. While many of us thought this trend might dwindle, it seems to be doing the opposite.

Standards and qualifications are vital in the spa and wellness industry, so education is key. Yet only a few African institutions – with the notable exception of South Africa – offer courses in this field, so there is a big question about where young people looking for a career in the spa and wellness industry can gain the skills they require.

Here, we look at the professionalism behind the training involved in keeping up with the demands of this industry by highlighting the various beauty colleges in the north, east, west and south of Africa over the next few months, starting with Kenya and Zimbabwe.

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING IS KEY

TO OUR INDUSTRY’S SUCCESS KENYA ALISON CAROLINE INSTITUTE I founded the Alison Caroline Institute (ACI) in March 2003.

This small, personalised college, approved by the Ministry of Education, is located in the prestigious Nairobi suburb of Muthaiga. We have a maximum of 25 students per intake (January, May and September). Each class, with the exception of the foundation anatomy and physiology classes, has a maximum of 12 students, ensuring that maximum attention is paid to each student.

All the tutors are former ACI students and certified trainers with a lot of experience. I have over 20 years’ experience and act as the examining body for the ACI diploma courses.

I have international qualifications from: Confederation of International Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (CIBTAC) Comité International d’Esthétique et de Cosmétologie (CIDESCO) International Therapy Examination Council (ITEC).

The college has a keen interest in educating and assisting those who might not be able to afford tuition fees and it sponsors students from less privileged backgrounds.

Most of the ACI students are local citizens, but we have a growing number of international pupils from the expatriate community.

The college’s corporate social responsibility programme identifies what activities the students should devote their time to.

This not only helps the student to practise

‘STANDARDS AND QUALIFICATIONS ARE VITAL IN THE SPA AND WELLNESS INDUSTRY, SO EDUCATION IS KEY’

ALISON CAROLINE NG’ETHE Founder, Alison Caroline Institute, Nairobi

such skills as aromatherapy massage, but also benefits the receiver directly.

The Alison Caroline Institute offers beauty, fitness and spa therapies with a wide choice of courses. The beauty studio, SKIN, allows top students to gain an internship under my guidance. After they have graduated from a chosen course, the college helps students to find jobs in hotels and game lodges in Kenya.

International exams are held annually in November and December with the participation of external exam officers from ITEC. The college has a strict corporate governance policy that is audited externally to ensure standards.

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BEAUTY SCHOOLS

By Alison Caroline Ng’ethe

VERA BEAUTY COLLEGE The Vera Beauty College was set up in 1998 in response to a need for expert guidance in hair, beauty, modelling, fashion and design.

The college promotes efficient, profitable and quality training in the industry and offers courses of various lengths. Most of the students are local people and school leavers.

Qualifications range from practical certificates to diplomas and advanced diplomas.

Vera aims to offer ‘professional and quality training to students, with a view to improving their employment opportunities, thereby producing competent and professionally trained personnel’.

To add value to its courses, as well as providing a career path for trainees, Vera Beauty has formed an affiliation with international bodies of higher learning such as City &

RIGHT: Quality education and training

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Guilds International (UK) and Spangles International (UK). This has greatly helped with international networking and widening the scope of knowledge and experience.

TIMELESS BEAUTY COLLEGE This college has a mission ‘to provide quality education and training, in pursuit of knowledge and acquisition of skills in rewarding careers that contribute to economic and social development’.

Timeless Beauty provides internationally recognised qualifications in hair design, beauty therapy, health and complementary therapy. Since its inception in 1998, it has helped train many students who are now enjoying excellent job opportunities in one of the fastest developing industries, cosmetology and health. It is one of the leading col-

VERA AIMS TO OFFER ‘PROFESSIONAL AND QUALITY TRAINING TO STUDENTS, WITH A VIEW TO IMPROVING THEIR EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES leges of its kind not only in Kenya but also in eastern and central Africa. The college is accredited by the National Computing Education Accreditation Council, City & Guilds, International Therapy Examination Council partners and Kenya Accountants and Secretaries National Examinations Board (KASNEB).

ZIMBABWE

ELITE SCHOOL OF BEAUTY

Beauty education has existed in Zimbabwe for a number of decades, but only in the past few years has beauty schooling become more recognised. Careers in the industry are not regarded as a conventional occupation in Zimbabwe; but now, with professional and international qualifications available, more and more individuals are choosing to follow the beauty path.

Zimbabwe has a few schools offering international beauty qualifications, mostly in the capital, Harare. Some local institutions offer education at national qualification level. With a fair number of institutions offering beauty education, intake is still low but is growing steadily as the beauty industry gains wider recognition.

Elite School of Beauty was established in 1987 as Cindy’s Beauty Therapy School to provide a high standard of beauty therapy education in Zimbabwe. The school was renamed in 2007.

Elite takes pride in class development and teaching. The school offers internationally accredited qualifications including CIDESCO (Switzerland) and ITEC (UK). With these prestigious qualifications, its students can go anywhere in the world and find success.

To be among the elite in the beauty therapy field, students need the training that will give them the confidence, professionalism and competence they need in all aspects of their chosen career. The wide range of courses available at Elite provides not only a high standard of practical training but also an in-depth knowledge of theory, allowing its students to study for national and international diplomas.

Elite School of Beauty Courses (international and local qualification): CIDESCO Beauty Therapy Diploma ITEC Beauty Specialist Body Treatments Nail Technology Health and Beauty Diploma.

The vision of Elite School of Beauty is to be the leading beauty therapy school in the region, offering the highest international qualifications. The school upholds the values of integrity, mentorship, quality and respect.

The school helps students to find jobs after completing their courses and about 90 per cent of Elite’s former students find work on international cruise ships via Steiner Onboard Spas. Past students have also found jobs in Dubai, Kuwait and Qatar as well as in Turkey and New Zealand. Many students have opened their own beauty salons.

The school enrols an average of 24 students per year with intakes in January and June. Entry requirements for prospective students are at the sole discretion of the principal at the time of the interview and assessment. Preference is given to candidates with five O-levels or equivalent qualifications or previous experience.

To find out more, please visit: www.eliteschoolofbeautyzim.com

ABOVE: Leading beauty therapy school

SCALE OF COSTS The range of fees for these education services is highly varied. What a college in one part of Africa charges for an international diploma may be quite different from the equivalent diploma in another college. Diploma beauty courses with the same syllabus and international qualification can range from $1,000 to over $4,000.

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SPA WATCH ENASHIPAI RESORT & SPA

Haven of bliss WITH A WORLD-CLASS SPA

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SPA WATCH Enashipai Resort & Spa

LEFT: The perfect getaway

N

aivasha is an hour’s drive out of Nairobi on a reasonably good road and easy to reach – even when attempting to escape the Kenyan capital on a notoriously traffic-choked Friday evening.

This increasingly affluent lakeside town seems a world away from Nairobi and the sun always seems to be shining, even when Nairobi is enveloped in its dispiriting July greyness. Naivasha has a year-round climate that is just about perfect; never too hot or too cold.

It’s easy to understand why Europeans chose to settle here early in the last century and why many of their descendants – plus some newer expatriates – still live in and around the town.

Naivasha, of course, is famous for its freshwater lake, which until at least 1949 was Kenya’s first international ‘airport’. This was at a time when the lake was used by the lumbering C-Class flying boats of Imperial Airways to make a stop in Kenya en route from Southampton to Cape Town. Those days are long gone, but Naivasha still has evidence of those pioneering days of intercontinental aviation.

Naivasha

In more recent times Naivasha has become known for its thriving floriculture sector and the vast greenhouses that shimmer in the midday sun. Close by, at the Great Rift Valley Lodge & Golf Resort, is one of Kenya’s finest golf courses, while a second 18-hole course is taking shape on the opposite side of the valley at the Aberdare Hills Resort.

All in all, Naivasha is a very pleasant place to visit. For many, it’s an ideal weekend retreat, with opportunities to play golf or to spot hippos while taking a boat trip on the lake.

For many, its attractiveness as a destination is completed by a stay at the Enashipai Resort & Spa. Located on South Lake Road

and the first property of its kind in Kenya, Enashipai is the place for those in search of calm, restoration and fine dining well away from the frenetic atmosphere of Nairobi.

Before heading straight for Enashipai’s truly incredible spa, it’s worth taking time to savour the ambience and appreciate the compelling decor and overall spaciousness of the executive rooms, suites and cottages.

Feature

With picture windows looking on to the splendid rock feature fountain, these rooms are guaranteed to make your night out of town. All rooms come with Afro-chic decor and natural hardwood floors and are designed to provide guests with every comfort and convenience. Guests can enjoy wireless internet, sample the delights of an impressively stocked minibar or relax in

Enashipai’s Cottages offer the ultimate flexibility in guest accommodation. Also set in the landscaped gardens, the cottages are available in both two and three bedroom format.

But the best is still to come. At the heart of Enashipai (the Maa word for ‘place of happiness’) is the truly wonderful Siyara Spa, possibly the finest in Kenya. And while we are referring to words taken from local languages, Siyara means ‘nature’ in Swahili.

Siyara provides guests with the very best Healing Earth natural products. Guests can choose the half-day programme, a holistic selection of spa experiences for total wellbeing and serenity.

There is also a hair and nail salon, which can be reserved for bridal parties.

Enashipai’s signature treatment consists of a mini Arabian rasul followed by an

At the heart of Enashipai is the truly wonderful Siyara Spa, possibly the finest in Kenya front of a large flat-screen TV with a selection of premium entertainment channels.

The elegant bathrooms come with alfresco rain showers.

As their name suggests, the Garden Executive Rooms are set among the property’s richly landscaped gardens and are available as single rooms or as self-contained two and three bedroomed suites with access to a luxurious lounge, fully equipped kitchenette and an additional TV in the living area.

invigorating waterfall known as the body of rocks; after which a calabash instrument style relaxing massage is on hand to bring the sense back into balance.

Quite simply, Enashipai is a haven of bliss. This is a spa that gently eliminates worldly stresses and everyday pressures and provides the ultimate in restoration, rejuvenation and a strong sense of wellbeing. And it’s certainly worth battling Nairobi’s traffic to get here.

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healing powers of . . .

RAIN NATURAL SHAMPOO

BAOBAB & EUCALYPTUS BODY SCRUB

Biologie 100 per cent natural shampoo cleanses hair gently and leaves it with a fresh invigorating aroma of Africa. It contains the wild harvested baobab oil from the baobab tree (also called the tree of life).

RAIN’s scrub should be applied to wet skin and rubbed in gently. Its crude avocado oil heals sun damage, while the deeply nourishing organic baobab oil contains vitamins A, D, E and F and omega 3, 6 and 9. The peppermint essential oil relieves irritations and the eucalyptus oil refreshes, cools and deodorises.

Price: from R125

Price: from R115

NATURAL CONDITIONER This conditioner contains organic marula oil. The oil, which helps to reduce dryness and breakages in hair, is sourced from the fallen fruit of the marula trees in the African bushveld.

Price: R125 www.rainafrica.com

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HEALING POWERS OF...

HEALING EARTH AFRICAN POTATO BODY BALM

MARULA AND NEROLI BALM

Healing Earth’s body balm contains sterol and sterolin-filled African potato, an indigenous plant high in antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, curative and rejuvenate properties that has been used for thousands of years for its healing qualities. The balm assists in the treatment of rashes, acne, skin discolouration, dry skin and more.

Marula oil is a powerful moisturiser and rejuvenator rich in antioxidants, oleic acid, vitamin E and vitamin C. Neroli is a fragrant bitter orange flower extract, and is used in the balm for both its mood enhancing and its antiseptic qualities.

Price: from R448

www.healingearth.co.za

Price: from R448

PHYTOMER OLIGOMER® WELL-BEING SENSATION Remineralizing Shower Cream.

A luscious and delicately scented shower cream that gently cleanses and moisturises the skin. Its remineralizing ingredient, OLIGOMER®, invigorates the skin and creates a lasting soothing and softening effect.

Price: from €15.66 www.phytomer.com

CLARINS DOUBLE SERUM This anti-ageing treatment is rich in 20 plant extracts that boost the skin’s vital functions. The unique formula targets women from the age of 25.

MATSIMELA BAOBAB SEED SOAP

BATH & MASSAGE OIL

Price: from R725

MatsiMela’s baobab seed soap is manufactured from a glycerine base, ensuring the soap is gentle enough to use on the face. Baobab oil is traditionally used by Africa women to prevent and cure dry skin conditions.

The oil has strong natural moisturising properties and contains Omega 3, 6 and 9, as well as essential fatty acids.

Bath & Massage Oil comprises a number of unique oils blended together.

HYDRAQUENCH CREAM MASK

Price: from R23.50

Price: R100

• Avo oil enables the oil to stay on the skin for longer.

• Arnica oil has healing properties and soothes tired muscles.

• Mafura moisturises the skin

The mask boosts the skin’s natural hydration mechanisms, quickly restoring an ideal moisture balance to the most dehydrated skin.

Price: from R445 www.clarins.co.za

• Vitamin E maintains healthy skin www.matsimela.co.za

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‘It was a big challenge, but I felt ready for it’ VERENA LASVIGNE-FOX Spa director, Four Seasons Marrakech Spa

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HIGH PROFILE SPA

What it takes TO RUN A HIGH PROFILE SPA

A

s a young girl growing up in Püttlingen, Germany, Verena Lasvigne-Fox already showed a keen interest in the hospitality industry, pretending she was running the front desk of an imaginary hotel, checking in imaginary guests. Fastforward to today and Verena is an awardwinning spa director based Award-winning spa director Verena at the lavish Lasvigne-Fox talks about the joys Four Seasons Marrakech Spa. – and challenges – of running the For many people, workFour Seasons Marrakech, one of ing in a spa the most exclusive spas in Morocco. sounds like a dream job – the serene atmosphere, the chance to be pampered and try out various beauty treatments. And for selfconfessed ‘girly’ girl Verena Lasvigne-Fox this dream has become her reality. She has been working in the beauty and well-being industry for almost a decade after a chance

offer to move from front office manager to spa manager in 2007.

“It was a big challenge, but I felt ready for it, although I had never worked in a spa before and had only ever received two treatments in my life,” she says.

This proved no barrier, however, and with determination, the support of her colleagues – and a love of beauty products – Verena soon settled into her new role as spa manager, and her journey to success began.

From Paris to Marrakech

Before taking up her current position at the Four Seasons Marrakech – a luxury spa embracing Middle Eastern traditions and contemporary Western treatments – Verena spent many years in Paris at the Four Seasons George V Hotel, where she acquired skills that furthered her career in the spa and wellness industry. But how does the cosmopolitan French capital compare with the vibrant world of Marrakech?

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‘H appy staff create happy guests, which is the ultimate goal in this industry’ “Everyone asks me whether I miss Paris and I have to admit, no. It was tough, but also exceptional and educational. Marrakech, however, is a completely different city. Guests are less stressed, have more time and are much more open to being surprised with the little touches.”

While working in a spa has its own personal benefits, it is the transmission of this feeling to guests that Verena cites as the most rewarding part of the job. “There is nothing more satisfying than a guest who leaves their treatment saying they feel like a newborn,” she says.

LEFT: Awardwinning spa

An average day

If you think working in a spa means you get to spend all day testing out new treatments and beauty products, then think again. A lot more goes into managing a spa than you might think, and no two days are the same. Apart from mandatory meetings with department heads and daily team briefings, each day can offer something new for Verena, from meetings with journalists to taking guests for a coffee to keeping in touch with colleagues across Europe. With all of this in mind, how does she keep on top of everything?

“It can be challenging trying to come across as a really relaxed person, especially when the job is stressful,” she says. “At the end of the day you are still running a busi-

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ness. However, when you love what you do it does not matter.”

Strong skills

Managing a spa is as much about running a business as it is about relaxation and wellbeing, and it takes a lot of strong skills in order to get to where Verena is. Apart from the obvious management skills such as leadership and achieving targets, you also have to be a first-rate saleswoman. “In the spa business, sales is as important as ser-

vice delivery,” says Verena. “From selling spa packages and retail products to finding ways to move slower products and fill vacant appointment slots, you have to be able to sell it all, convincingly.”

In a multi-million-dollar industry, the role of spa manager means dealing with million-dollar budgets on a regular basis, so business acumen is a key requirement.

It’s not all about numbers and budgets, though: Says Verena: “Happy staff create happy guests, which is the ultimate goal in this industry, so you also need excellent people skills.”

Hammam indulgence

So what makes the Four Seasons Marrakech different from other spas around the world? Well, one key factor is the spa’s most loved treatment, the Moroccan Hammam

HIGH PROFILE SPA

VERENA’S TOP TIPS FOR SPA SUCCESS Listen to your team. They can provide you with invaluable knowledge which is always helpful – especially so when you are new to the job.

Indulgence. A staple of Moroccan life and culture, a hammam serves to cleanse you with steam, exfoliate and leave you feeling totally relaxed and fresh. It’s popular with guests who want to dive head-first into Moroccan culture. “This ritual is as central to Moroccan life as mint tea,” says Verena.

“And regular visits are essential for those wanting to ensure their well-being, leaving you feeling clean and fresh.”

In addition to the traditional rituals, guests are treated to the spa’s own fragrant relaxation garden, where their senses are enriched by the wonderful scents of jasmine, rosemary, verbena and lavender.

Award-winning

A long and busy career in the spa and wellness industry has paid off for Verena and her team in the form of various awards over

the years. Verena herself was voted Senior Spa Director Europe at the beginning of the decade, and since then various awards have been bestowed on properties she is linked to, including a recent recognition at the Spafinder Wellness 365’s Wellness Travel Awards, where the Four Seasons Hotel Marrakech received the Country Award for Morocco.

Future plans

So what’s next for Verena and the Four Seasons Marrakech? “We are continuing to extend our concept of being a garden spa and our treatment rooms have just been refurbished. In addition, we are about to launch our spa’s perfume, based on the fragrances from our aromatic plants, which will offer a greater shopping experience for our guests.”

Share the love. Whether you are a therapist giving a treatment to a customer or a manager encouraging your team, a positive attitude goes a long way.

ABOVE: Serene atmosphere

Set yourself goals. Motivation is key and by setting daily, weekly or monthly targets, your staff will be encouraged to succeed, which in turn will benefit your business.

Find your own way to relax. Playing with my young daughter after a busy day at work does just the trick. I also enjoy taking walks around the city and enjoying good food.

Know your budgets. After all, you are running a business, so make sure you have a plan in place and are knowledgeable about the financial side of the job, too.

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MOMBASA NETWORK EVENT

Building on success OF SPA NETWORK FORUM

T

BELOW: Sarova Whitesands

opics of vital interest to everyone involved in Africa’s spa sector will be aired at SWAA’s second Spa Network event, to be held in Mombasa, Kenya, in January 2015.

Scheduled for 22 January and hosted by Sarova Whitesands Resort & Spa, this event is likely to build on the huge success of the first Spa Network at the Tribe Hotel, Nairobi, in 2014.

The SWAA Network event provides a forum in which owners, general managers, spa managers and directors, spa consultants, spa suppliers, trainers and people related to the spa industry can connect, discuss and share information. There are

featured speakers to start the event as well as round-table discussions, questionnaires and recognition of individuals who have made a difference in the spa and wellness industry of their country.

Keynote speakers at the 2015 event will include: ‘Staff Retention’ – Grace Ogolla, spa manager, Sarova Whitesands Resort & Spa ‘Retailing Professional Spa Products’ – Katy Whitfield, spa manager, Hemingway Nairobi ‘Branding Africa Spa and Wellness Industry’ – Elaine Okeke-Martin, president of SWAA ‘Raising Industry Standards Through Training’ – Alison Caroline Ng’ethe of Alison Caroline Institute ‘Social Media and Your Spa’ – Simon Lee, Farewell Consulting.

Among those attending will be representatives of Villa Rosa Kempinski, Swahili Beach Resort, Sakina Ocean Spa (Medina Palms Hotel), Baobab Beach Resort & Spa, Norfolk Fairmont Hotel, Serena Mombasa, Hilton Hotel, Diani Blue Beach Resort & Spa and The Boma Hotel.

For more details on the SWAA Network event: Email: faith@spaassociationofafrica.com www.spaassociationofafrica.com

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POSITIVE FEEDBACK Topics ranging from finance to education were discussed at the first Spa Network event in 2014.

Education was a key subject for speaker Alison Caroline Ng’ethe, of the Alison Caroline Institute, who said all spas must give priority to the training and certification of therapists.

Janine Shipra, from Leopard Beach Resort & Spa, spoke about the importance of budget and planning when running a spa business.

Hooman Ehsani, from Tribe Hotel, shared his view that spas were an asset to hotels today and described how they could generate revenue.

The first 2014 event generated some enthusiastic feedback from those attending.

Michael Muthoria, from Swahili Beach Hotel, found the event “very good and very educational”.

Lea Geron, of Esthetique Solutions, was “very impressed with the event and what our association is about.

Looking forward to more events like this.”

Katy Whitfield, of Hemingway Nairobi, was “very impressed” with the presentations. “Thought the event was great, looking forward to more events.”

‘Congratulations to SWAA and all the team for hosting a wonderful event and I look forward to many more in the future.’

JOHN ANDREWS Anne Semonin Africa

John Andrews, of Anne Semonin Africa, said: “Congratulations to SWAA and all the team for hosting a wonderful event and I look forward to many more in the future.”

Mary Nqaruiya, of Ratatouille Salon, Intercontinental Hotel, said: “So glad we had an event like this. Learnt so much including things that one tends to forget. Looking forward to hearing much more.”

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SPA & WELLNESS ASSOCIATION OF AFRICA Membership details

BECOME A SWA A MEMBER MEMBERSHIP TYPES SPA/WELLNESS HEALTH CENTRE..........................$ 299 TRAINING SCHOOL/INSTITUTION...........................$ 299 CORPORATE.. ..........................................................$ 299 INDIVIDUAL.. ........................................................... $ 123 STUDENT..................................................................$ 39

BENEFITS Membership with the Spa & Wellness Association of Africa includes a range of benefits which comprise the following: DISCOUNTS: On spa products from resource partners companies such as Allure Distribution.

MANUALS: Access to a variety of manuals relevant to specific areas of our industry.

BOOKS: Access to relevant books from spa partners.

FREE WEBSITE PROFILE: Each member of the Spa & Wellness Association of Africa receives a listing and click through to your own website, in addition to a complete page on the website. This page allows consumers to source comprehensive information about your spa, through the credibility of the Spa Association of Africa.

This would provide an ideal exposure opportunity for the entire membership network of the Spa & Wellness Association of Africa.

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MEMBERSHIP NETWORK: A directory, which gives you access to all Spa & Wellness Association of Africa members and their products.

ADVOCACY: A strong unified voice speaking on behalf of the African spa industry.

A platform for bringing up all key issues that affect all members in Africa.

Access to Best Practice Guideline document for your spa: members can display extracts as proof of spa membership.

COMMUNICATIONS: News from members of promotions, treatments, products and things happening.

EDUCATION: Targeting specific issues at the time and providing solution and training quarterly.

Expert data advice through blogs, twitter, emails up-to-the-minute advice.

Will have access to seminars segmented according to country specific.

CAREER & RECRUITMENT: Via Job Bank for both international and regional jobs. You can get access for both companies looking to recruit and individuals looking to be recruited.

RESOURCES: Up-to-date research and articles on the spa industry.

MENTORING PROGRAMME: Will strategically match all the categories within our membership network.

CRITERIA In order to be a member of the Spa & Wellness Association of Africa, the following criteria must be in place: SPAS AND SPAS UNDER DEVELOPMENT: Must have a water or hydrotherapy treatment facility Have a minimum of four treatments rooms Relaxation room or area Showers Hot or cold: steam bath and sauna Changing facilities Certified as a nationally recognised institution.

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION The purpose of this form is to obtain basic information about the applicant for the purpose of the Spa & Wellness Association of Africa membership.

Fill out the online membership application form to apply for your SWAA membership, go to:

www.spaassociationofafrica.com or contact: membership@ spaassociationofafrica.com

The SWAA will contact you on application, should additional information be required and/or duly invoice for preliminary membership status, prior to spa inspection by an appointed SWAA consultant, for full membership, as per membership procedure.

INSTITUTIONS: Running an accredited programme Taking in full-time students Facilities requirements for the school or institutions must be in place; for example, minimum of six beds, shower facilities, changing areas, lockers and theory training room Qualified and accredited lecturers or trainers.

BOARD MEMBERS: Internationally recognised person or expert in the spa industry in Africa and globally Can contribute time and resources, have weekly/ monthly Skype meetings and annual meeting attendance.

Must be working at a high-level position or owner in the spa, tourism and related industries – for example, director, COO, CEO, principal, etc.

INDIVIDUAL: Must be working in the spa-affili-

ated industry such as hospitality and tourism, consulting, architecture Must demonstrate an interest to contribute to the growth and development of the African spa industry Must be under employment or selfemployed.

STUDENTS: Must be over 18 years of age Must prove they are full-time students or part-time with a minimum of nine hours a week Must provide student ID card and number for verification at institution or school.

Please note: The applicant certifies that the membership criteria, policies and procedures and code of ethics and practice of SWAA members have been read and are understood by the applicant, and that it is the belief of the applicant that the establishment described below qualifies for membership.

The applicant acknowledges that completing the form does not guarantee or constitute membership.

All applicants are subject to SWAA council approval.

Membership can be terminated should the member bring into disrepute or act in a manner not conducive to SWAA aims and objectives.

The following categories have been opened, but provision has been made for additional categories: Group spa membership applies to all above spa membership categories. Full membership applies to the primary spa/head office.

Corporate is a company or person that offers products and or services that deal with the spa industry, including equipment, recruitment, tourism, and media.

Education membership is for a provider that provides accredited education and training programmes that deal with the spa industry.

A copy of the CV and professional qualifications will be required. This membership is for spa managers, owners, therapists, medical and sports therapists, C.A.M. Full current CV, details of the course, establishment and student status is required. This membership is for those studying to become a part of the spa and wellness industry.

Gyms, sporting and wellness centres, slimming centres, sports rehabilitation, yoga, pilates centres, etc.

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GLOBAL SPA & WELLNESS EVENTS

Events calendar

SPA AND WELLNESS EVENTS IN AFRICA 2015 WHAT:

SWAA NETWORK

WHERE: Mombasa WHEN:

22 January 2015

WHAT:

WORLD SPA & WELLNESS AWARDS

WHERE: Winners to be revealed at The Brewery, London WHEN:

22 February 2015

WHAT:

PROFESSIONAL BEAUTY

WHERE: Durban WHEN:

1 and 2 March 2015

WHAT:

WORLD CIDESCO CONGRESS AND EXHIBITION

WHERE: Sandton, South Africa WHEN:

22 to 25 May 2015

WHAT:

PROFESSIONAL BEAUTY

WHERE: Cape Town, South Africa WHEN:

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28 to 29 June 2015

WHAT:

PROFESSIONAL BEAUTY

WHERE: Gallagher Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa WHEN:

30 and 31 August 2015

WHAT:

AFRICA SPA & WELLNESS CONFERENCE

WHERE: Mauritius WHEN:

2 to 4 September 2015

WHAT:

BEAUTY AFRICA

WHERE: Eko International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Lagos, Nigeria WHEN:

6 to 8 October 2015

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Subscribe today DON’T MISS YOUR QUARTERLY COPY!

Subscription fees start from US $49.00 for priority mail Please contact Land & Marine Publications for more details:

subscriptions@landmarine.org

ARE YOU A SUPPLIER TO THE SPA AND WELLNESS INDUSTRY? WOULD YOU LIKE TO INCREASE YOUR MARKET SHARE THROUGHOUT THE AFRICAN CONTINENT? ARE YOU LOOKING FOR POTENTIAL DISTRIBUTORS IN AFRICA? DO YOU WANT TO PRESENT YOUR BRAND, PRODUCT OR SERVICES TO LUXURY AFRICAN SPAS AND RESORTS?

Then we have the solution –

AN ADVERTISEMENT IN THE SPA & WELLNESS AFRICA MAGAZINE. Spa & Wellness Africa reaches the industry’s top people and is delivered direct to the decision makers.

Spa & Wellness Africa is the first industry, trade and consumer magazine dedicated to promoting the spa and wellness industry in Africa.

Advertising in the quarterly magazine will provide marketing targeted to a core audience of professionals and end-users, keeping your brand ‘front of mind’.

Advertisers will benefit from both print and digital campaigns via the Spa & Wellness Association of Africa’s web site: www.swaafrica.org

SWAA CONTACTS

SWA A BOARD PRESIDENT

BOARD DIRECTOR

COMMITTEE MEMBER

Elaine Okeke-Martin

Majda Berrada

Katy Whitfield

Founder of SWAA, Spalogique Consulting Ltd and Spalogique Kenya Ltd

President of A-SPA-MAROC.

Spa manager of Hemingways, Nairobi

majda@spaassociationofafrica.com

membership@spaassociationofafrica.com

Elaine Okeke-Martin has 16 years’ experience in the spa and wellness industry. She was born in Canada but has Danish-Nigerian heritage.

She has always believed that education can empower and sustain African independence.

Elaine realises how African countries need to have a platform to support the spa and wellness industry and therefore founded SWAA.

Majda organised the first festival of Beauty, Spa and Wellbeing in Casablanca in 2008. She then became president of the Spa Association of Morocco and helped create the International Hotel SPA Academy Morocco. In 2009 Majda organised the first spa congress in Morocco and then in 2011 she set up the Spameeting, which brought together 127 countries with 900 appointments in two days.

Katy Whitfield has 26 years of practical, management and training experience in the global beauty and wellness sector. She brings with her a wealth of knowledge and appreciation for high standards to SWAA.

VICE PRESIDENT

BOARD DIRECTOR

Elisabeth Brandt

Tonny Muiruri Mutungu

Founder and CEO of Healing Earth, South Africa

Sales director at Tribe Hotel, Nairobi

elaine@spaassociationofafrica.com

ebrandt@spaassociationofafrica.com Elisabeth has over 30 years’ experience in spa conceptualisation, training, operation, product development and supply. Healing Earth is a premium African spa brand and her true vocation. After decades of working in the industry, she realised the international demand for pure, natural spa products and therapies sourced from the natural wealth of the African continent. Her latest project is the Healing Earth Foundation, which aims to inspire young people to be socially and environmentally aware.

tonny@spaassociationofafrica.com Tonny’s experience ranges from corporate planning, service brand management and human resources to customer relationship management, conference planning and events management at both corporate and front office levels. Tonny is a board member at Kenyatta University, on the Kenya Association of Hotel Keepers (KAHC) and Marketing Committee chairman for the publication of Ziara magazine.

Jeff Butterworth

Dizibordi Dosoo

Chief Spa and Wellness Officer for LUX* Resorts

dkdosoo@spaassociationofafrica.com Allure Africa is an award-winning spa group. In addition to various spa management qualifications, Dzigbordi is a graduate of Virginia State University in Petersburg, Virginia, USA, with a degree in finance. She also holds many leadership and management certifications and has her own talk show.

BOARD DIRECTOR

Pamela Olutinji CEO of B-natural Group, Nigeria pamela@spaassociationofafrica.com Pamela is a medical aesthetian specialising in anti-ageing sciences, pigmentation in black skin and acne in adults. Certified in dermatology lasers, she is an alumnus of the College of Medical Aesthetics and the National Laser Institute. Pamela has run the B-natural spa group, Nigeria’s first medical spa, for 10 years.

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Abdelhamid Mousa Spa director at Villa Rosa Kempinski, Nairobi mousa@spaassociationofafrica.com Abdelhamid has an array of physical education and hospitality management qualifications as well as experience in spa openings, systems, concepts and menus. Managing these operations included tasks such as training, development, managing fitness facilities, recruitment, budgeting, marketing and quality management.

He provides training in body and face care treatments and therapies to five-star spa resorts. He achieved the best spa award in Africa and the Middle East at the Daniela Steiner Four Seasons in Sharm Elshaikh, Egypt.

BOARD TREASURER

BOARD DIRECTOR Founder and CEO of Allure Africa Ltd

COMMITTEE MEMBER

treasurer@spaassociationofafrica.com Jeff Butterworth is a qualified naturopathic doctor with over 20 years’ experience in the spa and wellness industry. An Australian national, Jeff began his career establishing several successful medical practices, lecturing at university and developing several leading health supplements. In 2002 he ventured into the spa industry, establishing a five-star wellness retreat in India. He is responsible for corporate strategy relating to spa and wellness operations for all LUX* resorts locally and internationally. He manages, trains and coaches the spa and wellness teams while supervising the running of spa and wellness related services.

CONTACT EMAIL LIST ADVISORY BOARD: Advisory Board director (Alison Caroline): alison@spaassociationofafrica.com Raoul Andrews: raoul@spaassociationofafrica.com ADMINISTRATION: Administration coordinator: faith@spaassociationofafrica.com Advertising & PR: marketing@spaassociationofafrica.com SWAA Conference: conference@spaassociationofafrica.com SWAA Network: manager@spaassociationofafrica.com Volunteer: volunteer@spaassociationofafrica.com