|
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Spa operators see need to clean sector’s image
Correcting the negative connotation of spa and massage services remains to be a major challenge of the spa and wellness industry in Cebu.
This is why the newly-organized Spa and Wellness Association of Cebu (Swac) is doing its best to change the “image,” that massage and spa establishments provide “extra” services that are sexual in nature.
Apart from this, Swac also intends to address other problems, such as pirating of therapists.
Professionalize
“We are doing our best to help professionalize the spa and wellness industry.
But we are also asking the government sector, such as the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry), DOT (Department of Tourism) and DOH (Department of Health), to help us in this (endeavor) by not subjecting us to so many requirements, among others,” Swac president Johnie Lim said.
One of the DOH requirements that Swac members are opposing is the requirement for massage therapists to undergo regular hygiene checkup, which Lim said is not essential to the industry.
But DOH 7 technical division medical specialist II Roberto Rodis said the regular hygiene check-up is needed to avoid the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
“This industry is very difficult to monitor and regulate. (It is possible for) these things (sex) to happen in room massage services,” he said on the sidelines of the kapihan on health and wellness at the Cebu Holiday Spa coffee-shop yesterday.
To avoid illicit activities, Rodis suggested that spa operators prohibit their massage therapists from giving room massage services.
Avoid
Lim said the organization’s members are trying to avoid the room massage service as much as possible.
“But there are some (reputable) hotels like Marriott (Cebu City Marriott Hotel) that calls us, in behalf of their guests. What we do is we send female therapists for female guests and male therapists for male clients,” he said.
“We won’t really know what happens inside the rooms. But we do hope that we have successfully instilled in our therapists the value of dignity,” Lim said.
On the pirating of therapists, he said Swac is now in the process of creating a database of all employees in the spa industry to guide spa operators.
Benefits
Lim is inviting other spa operators in Cebu to join Swac and enjoy the benefits of attending seminars and fora, and get the chance to promote their services in events and activities, such as the three-day InTour-Preneur 2006 Conference and Exhibit organized by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
One of the highlights of the event is the investment forum on opportunities in the health and wellness industry in Cebu to be held on June 22 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino. (JBN)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (June 8, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
