Government launches free mentoring scheme for spa professionals

January 26th, 2012

At Wahanda, we’ve always maintained that spas are important – and it looks as though the government agrees. A recently launched government initiative, called Get Mentoring, will allow spa and beauty professionals to access free business mentoring training – putting them in a good position to share their valuable knowledge and skills. That’s exactly the sort of thing we like to hear…

Led by the Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative (SFEDI), the scheme is set to receive £1.2m of grant funding to help it achieve its objectives. Once they’ve undergone the seven hours of training required, mentors will then be deployed across a variety of different mentoring organisations, providing services both in person and via distance learning. Looks like future generations of spa professionals are going to get the best start possible…

Alan Goldsbro, CEO of Habia, the government-approved standard setting body for the hair, beauty and spa industries, says: ‘Mentoring can be an extremely powerful and instructive tool for anyone running a business or thinking of running one. A good mentor can pass onto you their own knowledge and experience, giving you a vital head start.’

Want to become a mentor yourself? Mentors will receive a SFEDI Certificate of Recognition for completing the Introduction to Enterprise Mentoring Course, in addition to free membership of the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurship (IoEE) and a listing on www.mentorsme.co.uk. Not bad, if you ask us…

If you enjoy passing on your experience to others, why not visit our community page to answer the great questions our users are asking. Alternatively, email angharad@wahanda.com if you’re interested in sharing your professional advice through blogging – we’d love to hear from you!

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New spa opens at Grand Hotel de Bordeaux

January 18th, 2012

Francophiles rejoice – a brand new luxury spa has opened at the Grand Hotel de Bordeaux in France’s famous wine region. Named ‘Les Bains de Léa’, the spa is run by French organic beauty brand Nuxe – and is open to members of the public as well as to hotel guests. Bath robes at the ready…

Inspired by the architecture of Ancient Roman baths, the spa features an outdoor terrace complete with pool, rooftop bar and spectacular views across Bordeaux. For those able to tear themselves away from the scenery, there are ten treatment rooms, an indoor counter-current swimming pool, a sauna and a Turkish bath – everything you need to really relax on holiday.

All the treatments at Les Bains de Léa are supplied by Nuxe, and the signature treatment is a 90 minute Olympe massage, exclusively designed for the spa. We don’t know about you, but we think it sounds like the perfect pampering treat…

Fancy a weekend away but not sure what you’ve done with your passport? Why not have a browse of our UK spa breaks to see if anything tickles your fancy. Now if you’ll excuse us, we’ve got a Eurostar train to catch…

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Habia appointed as services provider for the beauty sector

January 12th, 2012

Congratulations to Habia, which has successfully bid to become the UK Commission for Employment and Skills’ (UKCES) preferred provider of services to the UK hair and beauty sector. The deal will cover a minimum three-year period, and is set to begin on 1st April. It certainly looks as though exciting times are ahead…

Amongst the services that Habia will be providing are apprenticeship frameworks, qualification-related activities and National Occupational Standards – all key to ensuring that new therapists are as well trained as possible.

Alan Goldsbro, chief executive officer of Habia, says: ‘This is great news for the hair and beauty sector as it shows that the development of qualifications and standards for our industries is of national importance.

‘It is particularly good news for hair and beauty employers, who need staff and new recruits with constantly updated skills to make an impact on the bottom line in these difficult times.’

We don’t know about you, but we think it seems as though the UK’s hair and beauty industry is set to become better than ever…

In need of a helping hand when it comes to your own hair and beauty? Check out our fantastic facial deals and offers, or browse hair treatments.

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Medium-sized spas suffer in recession

January 12th, 2012

Feeling the pinch? You’re not the only one. The Trends in the Hotel Spa Industry 2011 report by PKF Hopsitality Research has shown that people are thinking twice before splashing their cash – with hotel spa revenue experiencing, on average, a 10.5% decline in 2010. With mid-market and medium-sized spas feeling the squeeze the most, it looks like it could be time for businesses to consider different marketing tactics…

According to the report, urban hotel spas have been affected the least, with a drop in revenue of only 1.2 per cent – while the spas at resort hotels have been hit the hardest, experiencing a fall of 13.6%. One of the reasons for the overall decline could, the report suggests, be over saturation of the middle market:

‘A possible reason for the significant decline in the medium-size spa group is overbuilding.

‘Medium-sized spas are often found in hotels that likely should have a spa as a guest amenity, but the property is not specifically known for its spa facility or experience. Therefore, it is neither an intimate, boutique spa nor is it a grand showcase spa for the property’s marketing and reputation.

‘Additionally, the spa facilities may have been built as a ratio of spa treatment rooms to total guest rooms, rather than built to an actual projection of hotel spa demand and capture. Either individually or combined, these factors result in a greater potential negative impact on spa revenues during recession and early recovery periods.’ Hopefully the spas will soon be able to get back on an even keel…

Of course, treating yourself doesn’t have to break the bank. In need of some serious relaxation? Why not check out our deals and offers on spa breaks for savings that could save the day.

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Wahanda, I love you

January 12th, 2012

Treat the one you love this Valentine’s Day with one of the many fantastic offers from Wahanda, Europe’s leading marketplace and online home for health, beauty and wellness. Wahanda can help you find the perfect gift – from luxury spa days for her to grooming gifts for him or, best of all, why not spoil the both of you, with a romantic spa break.

Valentine’s Day is the ideal time to relax and unwind together, indulge in a couples-treatment, chill-out with one night spa break for two or jet off for the weekend to one of the many luxurious European spa destinations.

Whatever you’re looking for, Wahanda has thousands of listings and offers available at any one time, including 2 for 1 treatments and spa breaks from as little as £49.00. And if you can’t decide what to spoil them with, choose one of the beautifully presented Wahanda Gift Vouchers, redeemable at over 1,000 outlets nationwide.

LOVE Wahanda, this Valentine’s Day.

www.wahanda.com

For more information, please contact Imagination PR: 020 3384 9750 / sophie@imaginationpr.co.uk.

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Wahanda launch new Expert Contributors forum

January 10th, 2012

Leading the way in offering consumer support, interaction and information, Wahanda is delighted to announce their new ‘Expert Contributors’ platform.

Offering unique insights and information from some of the UK’s most prevalent experts, the forum will be contributed to by top beauty & health Journalists, fitness authorities and professionals in all aspects of the beauty and wellness world.

Launching in January with an in-depth and insightful piece by Harpers Bazaar’s Deputy Health & Beauty Editor, Katy Young, the content will be educational, yet light-hearted, offering readers the opportunity to source information from leaders in their field.

Kicking off with ‘The Bootcamp Hot List’, Katy provides the ultimate read for anyone contemplating a fitness escape. Offering helpful, practical and eloquent advice on a host of alternatives, including beach bootcamps, park-based fitness, exotically located escapes, luxury French retreats and, a little more relaxing, a Cornish-based yoga camp. Alongside these options, she gives the ‘insider benefits’ to each variation, allowing readers to make the ultimate informed decision.

A fresh contributor will join the site each month, covering a multitude of subjects, including tanning, nail trends, cosmetic dentistry, anti-ageing and spa etiquette.

www.wahanda.com

For more information, please contact Imagination PR: 020 3384 9750 / sophie@imaginationpr.co.uk.

About Wahanda:

Wahanda is Europe’s leading marketplace and online home for health, beauty and wellness, with a comprehensive directory of over 250,000 businesses, practitioners and services. Offering a plethora of pampering possibilities, Wahanda provides the ideal platform to satisfy your every beauty need, from great offers in your area, reviews of local salons, recommended spa breaks and fitness bootcamps to the latest health and beauty news and advice. The first interactive beauty community of its kind, Wahanda allows customers to voice recommendations and write reviews, whilst also listing over 6,500 health, beauty and fitness offers at any one time. Spa enthusiasts can save on unique deals from the UK’s most premium spa brands, such as Stoke Park Club and Champneys, plus daily MobDeals and the beautifully presented Wahanda Gift Vouchers, redeemable at over 900 outlets nationwide. Beauty addict, fitness fanatic or yoga guru? Wahanda offers a whole world of wellbeing at your fingertips.

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Maldives spa ban overturned

January 10th, 2012

Earlier in January, we blogged about the Maldives government’s decision to close the islands’ massage parlours and spas – a major blow to the tourism industry and to spa lovers worldwide. Luckily, the ban has since been lifted – allowing hotels and resorts to continue operating as usual. We love it when a story has a happy ending…

Unfortunately, however, the ban has only been temporarily overturned. Fans of the Maldives will have to wait for the Supreme Court to officially adjudicate the matter and decide the fate of the nation’s spas – but until then, it looks as though honeymooners and holidaymakers will be able to enjoy massages and spa treatments to their hearts’ content. Best organise a break to the islands quickly, in case things are set to change forever…

Has all this talk of holidaying got you daydreaming? Browse our overseas spas or treat yourself to a spa break in the UK.

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Blue Harbour Spa reopens

January 5th, 2012

Looking for a bit of luxury to cheer you up this January? Fans of Wyndham Grand London Chelsea Harbour will be glad to know that the hotel has recently reopened its Blue Harbour Spa to guests and non-resident club members. Race you to the massage table…

Visitors to the refurbished spa will be able to enjoy use of the steam room, sauna and 17ft swimming pool (complete with waterfalls), as well as the fitness centre, hair salon and nail bar. However, it’s the brand new range of Voya treatments and rituals that’s got us really excited – and we think you’ll like the sound of it, too…

Ireland-based brand Voya joins Susan Molyneux and Aromatherapy Associates in offering products at the spa – adding a touch of the ocean to the mix with its nourishing seaweed extracts. With all Voya treatments inspired by the brand’s organic philosophy, you can ensure there’ll be no synthetic nasties lurking  here – only gentle, natural ingredients designed to relax, replenish and rejuvenate. What better way to kickstart a cleansing detox?

Fancy setting the tone for your New Year’s beauty and wellbeing regime with a Voya experience at the Blue Harbour Spa? Why not start as you mean to go on by visiting our dedicated Blue Harbour Spa page for more information.

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