In Romania, there’s still room for investments in such centers, as the market is still fledgling. Globally, wellness tourism, one of the most dynamic sectors, generates $439 billion annually, according to a survey presented at the Wellness Tourism Global Congress of New Delhi. The same survey estimates the industry will expand to $678.5 billion by 2017.
Oana Manole, with a 12-year experience in spa management and consultancy, says the profit margin for a spa center stands at 5%-10%, but it can go as high as 25%-30% in the case of very good spas.
“This year, there’s rising interest in spa opening in Romania. The highest demand is registered for spas inside hotels. Investments in such as facility boost brand awareness and can support the business,” said Oana Manole, who runs Spa D’Or consultancy set up 8 years ago.
Manole was involved in the opening of three spas inside Hilton hotel of Sibiu, Double Tree by Hilton of Oradea and Hilton of Baku, Azerbaijan, as well as in the management of many spas and spa trainings.
According to her, in several months the four-star Kronwell hotel of Brasov and Ramada or Oradea will open Belaqva and Riserva Spa spa centers. “People for the spa industry are very hard to find. Salaries range between RON1,200 and RON2,400 depending on the therapist’s experience.
Spa center investments depend on very many factors, primarily on the size of the center and its components, on selected partners, needed personnel. Investments can reach several million euros.
A well-managed spa center can improve the average accommodation tariffs of a hotel by 15%, according to market data.
Oana Manole invested EUR80,000 together with a partner in her own spa in Brasov. In its own boutique spa of Brasov, located in a historic building of 1909, Spa d’Or offers Sundari, Buddha Bar and VitaMan therapies and products, following a Parisian concept. Manole says that in spa centers, massage is highest in demand, with the profit margin standing at 90%. Spa centers can make both a hotel and a city more appealing as a travel destination.
A former teacher of English, Oana Manole opened Spa d’Or company in 2006. The company now has 7 employees and revenue of EUR120,000 from consulting services. “I entered the spa industry by a major coincidence. A company that managed spas on cruise ships sought a Spa Manager with experience in sales, a speaker of foreign languages, even without experience in spas”.
Oana Manole travelled to many countries, and each trip included at least a visit at a spa or a meeting with a distributor. “During my career, I’ve met many people and an invisible ‘LinkedIn’ was created through which I collaborate with hotel managers, projects consultants, architects, builders, suppliers”.
(English version by Catalina Apostoiu)