| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 21/08/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 32 |
| Copyright: Other |
Spas by Matt Bond
Take the plunge into a pool of healthy waters
Demand increases for luxury spa treatments
Sandals: is working with other operators to raise awareness of spa holidaysOperators are reporting a big increase in the number of people wanting to combine an all-inclusive holiday with the luxury of spa and health treatments.
So great is the demand that Distant Dreams recently introduced a stand-alone spa programme brochure – the first in the UK – featuring Sandals’ Signature Spa Collection.
Sandals is also helping to raise awareness of the concept of Ultra All-inclusives by working with Kuoni, Lunn Poly and Air Jamaica to run several educationals between this September and January for 600 agents.
Featured resorts in the new brochure include the Dunn’s River Golf Resort and Spa in Jamaica, St Lucia Golf Resort and Spa, Negril Beach Resort and Spa in Jamaica, Royal Bahamian Resort and Spa in Nassau and Sandals Antigua Resort and Spa.
The use of saunas, steam rooms, plunge pools and fitness centres are included in the Ultra All-Inclusive holiday price. For an extra charge, there is a range of á-la-carte treatments available including Swedish massage, facials, body wraps, or hydrotherapy. Prices for Dunn’s River Golf Resort and Spa at Ocho Rios, Jamaica lead in at £1,239 for seven nights.
The brochure also sees the introduction of an agent booking incentive offering the chance of a seven-night stay at a Sandals and Beaches resort.
Sandals UK and Europe managing director Steve Garley said the operator has spent £15 million on training staff, advertising and spa improvements over the last two years and confirmed it will be investing more.
“In our top-of-the-range properties, spa product is an important part of the package. Spas are very popular. There is every evidence that this is a good investment,” he said.
Thomson has given spa destinations more prominence in the second edition of its Caribbean and Mexico brochure, by placing a dedicated section at the front. Thomson features nine all-inclusive spa resorts, six of which are Sandals properties.
The three remaining are the Blue Waters in Antigua, Le Sport in St Lucia and Couples in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.
Thomson long-haul general manager Jeannette Linfoot said that the expansion into spa holidays is the result of all-inclusive resorts looking for new developments in the midst of increased competition.
Thomson offers seven nights at Couples in Jamaica for £1,275 for holidays taken by next June.
At the beginning of the year, specialist Sun Modilex started an all-inclusive programme which offers the client anti-stress packages with massage, spa programmes, exercise and beauty sessions.
During September, October and November, it is selling each of its two-week programmes for the special price of £989, on an all-inclusive basis.
Kuoni product director Francis Torrillo agreed the market is increasing but said Kuoni will still sell the holiday itself as opposed to the spa. “When people have a holiday, they want relaxation too. But those numbers are quite small and I can’t see the spa driving booking patterns,”he said.
Kuoni’s new 2000/01 World Class brochure features the all-inclusive spa resorts of Le Sport in St Lucia and La Source in Grenada.
sample product
All-inclusive holidays
Funway Holidays: feature the five-star Grand Lido Sans Souci near Ocho Rios in Jamaica. The SuperClubs resort has 146 suites with 24-hour room service and Charlie’s Spa which has natural mineral springs for guests and can provide body scrubs, reflexology and massages. Guests are offered a complimentary manicure and pedicure and two furthercomplimentary beauty treatments. The lead-in price is £1,485 for seven nights with transfers.