As 2009 begins to unfold I look back at some of the learning opportunities and wonderful places I visited and lectured during the last half of 2008. It was a great experience to be able to teach my Spa Management Certification Course in Mexico and Argentina. Being able to learn about practices in the industry in other countries was enlightening in addition to having the opportunity to travel and meet new friends. The trade organizations in Mexico and Argentina are doing a great job and service to the industry by organizing these educational events and trade-shows.
In Mexico the events were organized by the "Asociacion Latinoamericana de Spa, A.C." (The Latin-America Spa Association). I was invited to be one of the key-note speakers at their annual Spa Latin-America Congress (Expo Spa 2008) in addition to presenting my two (2) day Spa Management Certification Course, approved by the Mexico Tourism and Continued Education Agencies. My most sincere thanks to Lic Jose A Arredondo, Dr. Ramon De la Rosa and Lic Pamela A Hernandez. I will forever be grateful for their invitation and for making all the arrangements and promotions for two successful seminars. We had eighty (80) attendees in our Mexico City class. I was also invited to their Cancun event in October 2008. In Cancun we had over 20 attendees and a wide variety with Day Spas, Medical Spas, Wellness Centers and Hotel Spas represented. (Picture above of the attendees to the seminar in Cancun).
We learned that the Spa savvy traveler is looking for Spa services and experiences that are not commonly found in their own backyard. That in Central and South America there is a huge demand for Holistic, Indigenous, Wellness oriented facilities. We are trying to come up with concepts and services that go hand in hand with the history and geographical aspects of the location.
In between my trip to Mexico City and Cancun I had the honor of being 
invited to speak at Vita Spa 2008 & Medical Expo & Conference in Buenos Aires Argentina. This event is organized by the The Day Spa Association Latino America, The International Medical Spa Association Latino America (both official chapters of the Day Spa Association USA) and world Spa Society. They had attendees from Europe, Central and South America. Thank you, Lic Damian Mocagatta for organizing such a quality event. We learned that the Spa consumers have become more knowledgeable in the last two years; they demand and expect excellence in service. That with the intense competition in our industry their loyalty is tied to the level of results and service they perceive they get from that particular location. They are open to new treatments, new locations and new ideas. Individuals are curious and more willing to engage in Health or Wellness Tourism, going to other countries to get plastic surgeries or more advanced anti-aging non invasive procedures is part of vacation or investment planning.
I met wonderful owners, managers and directors. Some of them new to the Spa industry and wanting to learn as fast as possible. Some of the attendees were veterans that have seen the industry evolve, and in their opinion we are coming full circle and going back to the original concepts of our industry. I wish you all success in your endeavors and your careers, keep learning, keep practicing and keep bringing joy and well being to your clients. I salute you!
If you are interested in learning more about International Tendencies in the Spa Industry stay tuned for my next Blog entry..........
Written by Zahira J Coll, all rights reserved, the content of this article, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without written permission from the author.
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