Asia Pacific Spa Wellness Council

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| Purpose |

As in any industry, the creation of professional networks is invaluable. Opportunities to share ideas, meet industry leaders and find solutions to challenges can all help growth of the existing spa industry and foster the entry of new players.

As the Asia Pacific spa industry has evolved, the personal networks of industry professionals have moved across borders. Each country in Asia Pacific has its own spa heritage to offer, but the issues faced by industry professionals are the same. Issues of gathering market intelligence, procurement, staffing, education, standards, benchmarking and political lobbying can all benefit from regional cooperation.

The Asia-Pacific Spa & Wellness Council is a solution to this need and aims to provide proactive guidance to the industry.

^{Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Maldives Per Aquum Resorts

| Mission |

To foster growth and development of the industry nationally and regionally through collaboration and the collective sharing of information and resources.

Support national associations – help them to identify and resolve local market issues and develop the spa and wellness industry from the grass roots level. (Especially small business, which forms the majority of the industry.)

To improve the professionalism of the industry by identifying and recommending appropriate standards, codes of ethics and best practice to be adopted throughout the region.

To be a strong united voice that provides a consistent message to media, government and others throughout the region who may influence the industry. Also to use this voice to educate consumers, regulators and industry, and thereby create positive force for change.}

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| About APSWC |

A regional body to link the national associations of all Asia-Pacific nations, the Council has been formed to meet the challenges presented by the evolution and growth of the Asian Pacific spa industry.

The Asia-Pacific region is home to the world’s richest and most diverse spa culture. The importance of this spa culture cannot be underestimated and proof is seen in spa menus the world over that offer Thai Massage, Chinese Tui-Na, Hawaiian Lomi-Lomi, Bali Kopi Scrub, Javanese Lulur and derivatives of bath and steam rituals such as the Japanese Onsen.

Perhaps in tribute to the Asia-Pacific approach of using our abundant, natural supplies of water with our botanical resources to improve the way one feels physically, together with the respect shown to the importance of a healthy mind and spirit, “Spa” has become a lifestyle.

Now recognized as more than just a place to get a massage or facial or experience an esoteric therapy that aims to balance some part of the mind-body-spirit triad, the concept of spa has evolved from its traditional philosophy of “health through water” to one of improving total health and increasing longevity through wellness practices found from across the world.

Although geographically and culturally diverse, the challenges that confront the spa industry across the Asia Pacific region are similar and spa professionals recognize the need for regional cooperation both to further their own businesses and their local spa industries.

Enter the Asia-Pacific Spa & Wellness Council.

	Sign up for FUSE (AP Newsletter) it represents the essence of the APSWC mission to bring together spa associations across the region for the benefit of the industry as a whole.
	Update on Asia Invest The EU has approved an application for a grant to assist the spa and wellness industry in Asia.

| NEWS |

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