A Good Mixture of Spa & Phobia

I'm dabbling with some research cum lead generation on the spa sector and it just dawned to me, apart from bungee jumping and free falling, there's another thing I haven't done in my 27 years of so-called existence, that is to get into the spa experience. Pitiful, right?

Intelligent Spas has conducted the inaugural survey of spa facilities in the Philippines and found the industry has grown 74% since 2003, with 87 spas currently open and operating. The research achieved an excellent response rate of 54% of all spas in the Philippines, enabling very reliable industry benchmarks to be calculated. The report, entitled Spa Industry Profile Philippines 2003-2007, features over 500 quantitative statistics on the Philippines spa market as well as supporting qualitative trends and observations from spa owners and managers. It is a valuable tool for businesses competing in, or supporting the Philippines’ spa industry, to more accurately develop and plan spa-related products, services, campaigns and initiatives.

Some key industry totals and averages extracted from the report include:
- Intelligent Spas identified 87 spa facilities located in the Philippines.
- 76% of spas are stand-alone day spas and 20% are spas located in hotels and resorts.
- The average indoor area of spa facilities was 609 square metres.
- 52% of the total spa space was allocated to treatment rooms.
- Spas contained 10.9 treatment rooms on average, making them the largest across the Asia Pacific region.
- 70% of spas provided a relaxation room. - Aromatherapy was practised by 97% of spas.
- Baths with water and/or air jets were offered by 54% of respondents.
- One hour body wraps were priced from PHP 1418, on average.
- Herbal tea was the most common complimentary food or beverage item provided by spas, with 62% offering it to visitors.
- 35% of spas surveyed noticed there are more spas opening in hotels and resorts.

*Source: Intelligent Spas, Spa Industry Profile Philippines 2003-2007

With all the mambo jambo statistician talk, I will raise just one salient point, the spa biz is a ubiquitous enterprise. They are in manifolds, increasing in numbers by the minute like er, mushrooms (hihi); tantamount to a growing demand for beauty and wellnes. It's lucrative and a guaranteed money-maker.

If you are thinking of jumping on the bandwagon, the ripe timing is now because Everyone is into the spa business and lifestyle --- except me. Hahaha! (I account to 0.000001% of the marketshare. A figure the industry can easily dismiss without remorse).

I know why and I'm telling (reason why I'm putting my rep on on the line with this blog, like I have one to protect in the first place) Hahaha! It's because I'm a member of the secret society of highly ticklish people of the Philippines. I am soon to be elected VP, come May 2007.

I don't indulge in foot spa, paraffin, half/full body scrubs, half/full body massage...and I am wary of facials. I know I'm missing a lot but till I learn to turn my back on my sworn fealty, I will remain a spa virgin.