Halal Spa To Boost Malaysia As An Attractive Destination

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 14 (Bernama) — Malaysia can further strengthen itself as an attractive spa destination in the region with the set up of halal spa and wellness facilities.

Malaysia also has its own specialties to offer in the spa and wellness industry in order to compete with neighbours like Indonesia and Thailand, Spa and Wellness Industry Association of Malaysia (SWIAM) president Nurhashimah Mohd Ishak said.

“We can make this halal spa our trademark and at the same time it can be differentiated between the offering from Thailand and Malaysia. It can give us advantages to compete with other spa operators as well,” she told reporters at the launch of Asia Spa & Wellness Festival 2007 here Wednesday.

She said among the services that could be offered at the halal spa and wellness centre was the separate services for men and women on different floors.

“This is ideal especially with a big number of tourists from Middle East,” she said.

She said Malaysia’s cultural diversity and its long history of traditional medicines could be another factor to grow the industry.

Nurhashimah said there was a need for regular meetings or discussions between the spa operators and the authorities to standardise regulations.

She said “too many red tapes” had hindered the local spa operators, especially small operators, from growing their businesses.

“There is a need for regular discussions with the authorities to ensure both parties help each other to create a win-win situation,” she said.

SWAIM, which currently has 200 members, will be among the participants at the three-day festival from Nov 30 to Dec 1.

The festival, which comprises exhibition and industry summit, is expected to attract 300 spa owners and practitioners making it the largest gathering of the spa community in Asia.

Source: http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news_lite.php?id=296227

Posted by Ainuddin Mohamad of MyInfoHQ.net