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Hana practising Tai-Chi
Due to the Sol Melia Bulgaria SPA Management Trainee Program , scheduled for 23.03.2009, we interviewed the tutors of the program Ms. Hana Cathala and Mr. Emre Kiris concerning the latest atmosphere in crisis and the SPA & Hotel Industry.
Sigma Team: Ms. Cathala, how do you think the recent global financial crisis will effect the SPA industry within Hotel Business?
Hana Cathala: Untill now, the crisis didn´t touch much the sector of SPA industry, in western countries. And the specialists hope that it will even not happen in the future. There are services in our modern society, which can´t desappear: the human being will ever have the neccesity to eat and so the food and beverege business will developpe forever.The same for SPA, MediSPA, Thalassotherapy Hotels etc.: our deseases , stress, „bad – being“ and incomfort in our life will push us forever to be clients of places which offer us health, well-being“ or „better – being“, intention, emotion, touch and security.It is a basis of human needs and SPA industry can offer an substitution. Personnaly, due to my convictions and real experience(of 30 years business worldwide), I am not afraid of the crisis and as provocation I would say: I would use this occasion and I´d create new SPA and Wellness centres, if I´d be an investor or developer, because such a centre could save a client in depression, stress, lack of sleep – situation caused by economic crisis in his personal and business life…
Sigma Team: Mr. Kiris what is your opinion about the industry in this atmosphere?
Emre Kiris: I am coming from a country where we have every year some crisis financially or socially. Due to experience and also market studies, people do not sacrify from their travels and vacations, their interest flows only to low cost countries and destinations. Where our challenge begins. We need to be flexible and creative.The professionals in the market should press right buttons in this time to use the advantage for mass tourism for the country. To diverse their products with options to chose a larger variety and prices. If it needs to give examples directly for a SPA, to have at least two different cosmetic and product marks with lower and higher price option for guests.
Sigma Team: How to attract visitors in time of budget restrictions?
Hana Cathala: Of course they are many strategies how to become unique, authentic and indispensable for client and it is a weapon and secret of each SPA consultant (me:) ), manager or crisis director.More on the SPA Seminar of SPA Management come and see!
Emre Kiris: Depending on your sources and creativity every brain can produce an idea. Result oriented projects have always good results. Needs to make correct analyses and act due to it. Adapting to the situation and getting highest profit is the key I think. Like mother nature rule, you adapt you live, otherwise you disappear. Sometimes it's a win to reduce the loss also, and it's a race for a certain period trying to lose minimum till the atmosphere gets clear.
Sigma Team: What is specific in training and education of SPA staff, compared to hotel staff?
Hana Cathala: More than other employment position in hotel business, the SPA employment is position of intim contact with client. SPA employee in all cases of hierarchie penetrate to the deepest substance of client,by questions aiming his diagnosis, needs and wishes, by observing the relativ or total nudity, by manipulating, touching.There is no barrier between the employee and client, no secret. The SPA employee should be a warrant of security, discretion, disponibility in listening, he should be even intuitiv and anticipace the situation, because SPA is a world of emotion and the employee is totaly responsible for a perfect scenário and management of positiv feelings and emotions of client.
Emre Kiris: A simple example about their education is enough to express my point of view: For my aestheticians its forbidden to cut onion for food at their own home. Nobody would be happy their face to be touched by onion smelly fingers. Working in a SPA is living in SPA line.
Sigma Team: What is the most important for SPA manager?
Hana Cathala: To be a multifunction person, to have a polyvalence. To educate his employees to take care perfectly about the clients. And him, to take care about the profitability of the centre.
Emre Kiris: To have a successful organization where the guests, the team and the investor is happy. In this case he will be happy also.
Sigma Team: And what are the most critical points in SPA?
Hana Cathala: To keep a professional staff and to manifeste the spirit of team work. Educated, motivated and responsible staff is the basis of succes.
Emre Kiris: Hygiene and professional service from the reception till the tiles of the pool. Honest, Smiley and friendly service, which can correct all possible mistakes.
Sigma Team: By the way Hana we added also your picture while you are practising Tai- Chi, is your regular hobby, how do you feel whilst practising?
Hana Cathala: Yes i really enjoy Tai - Chi, its a life style with my soul and body to move together. Keeps me fit, menthally also. I like travelling and learning different disciplines, meeting shamans from Mexico, Moldova, celebrating in Mongolia the Budhist new year. There are really a lot of experiences to discover for everybody in every geography.
Sigma Team: Sounds really nice and joyful, we wish you success and all the best, and thank you both for sharing your experiences and opinion, and we wish you a succesfull career. What would you like to add as a final?
Hana Cathala: I am keeping all my passion for the program, only one thing i could advise young people: '' Be positive, develope yourself and reach the success. Anyway for those who aim it, we will see each other in the program.
Emre Kiris: I would like to add here that we will be in NDK Sofia between the dates 26.02.'09 - 28.02.'09, the first 2 days are for corporate clients last day on saturday 28.February it will be open for public. We will welcome candidates in our stand, feel free for any question or information. The Training Program will be great, everybody who wants a future int his industry is welcome.
Click for the Sol Melia Bulgaria '' SPA Management Trainee'' Program
