Tag Archives: Dubai

Special Request for Your Thoughts and Prayers

I have received this email from Nancy Griffin http://www.spatrade.com/ and also Julie Register http://www.discoverspas.com/ and would like to pass the message further to any who have not yet received it. It is good to know that at a time like this there is a spa family who can pull together. Since Peter had a motorcycle “mishap” just a few weeks ago, it is even more jolting and sobering to hear about this serious accident. Thanks for adding your thoughts and prayers.

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Dear Susie,
I received an email from Gina Molinari this morning informing me that Linda Troeller’s husband, Lothar, was in a very serious accident over the weekend. If you don’t know Linda personally, you are familiar with her photographic art that I have been featuring in the DiscoverSpas.com newsletter over the past few months. I know you will want to include Lothar and Linda in your thoughts and prayers. Gina’s email follows.

Kind Regards,
Julie

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Sun, 7 Oct 2007 22:19:05 -0700 (PDT)

Dear Friends,

This past weekend Linda’s husband, Lothar, was in a serious accident. Eye witnesses say that while driving his motorcycle, Lothar went over the road divider and into an oncoming car head on at approximately 55 miles an hour. The other driver was not hurt but unfortunately Lothar has sustained extensive injuries, initially not even expected to make it through the night.

He has a broken right leg, multiple broken ribs, a punctured lung, 2 broken bones in his left hand and I believe a broken bone in the right arm as well as damage to his pelvis. He is on a respirator but breathing on his own as well. To control his pain he was sedated and remains unconscious BUT is not in a coma.

We are informed by one of my clients who is a former trauma surgeon that he is in excellent care at the University Hospital in Newark New Jersey and has the potential to make a full recovery. I spent a small portion of this afternoon with them in the hospital talking to, and touching Lothar so that he knows how much we love him, Linda is remaining positive while I tried to remain supportive.

Over the years Linda has given of herself and her talent to the industry and has graced and inspired each and every one of us with her signature images. At this time however perhaps in our own way with our respective talents we can each give back to this iconic friend something special by virtue of our prayers, love and support.

I know I can speak for each and every one of you when I say that we are all with Linda and Lothar in spirit.

Sincerely,

Gina Molinari

Mayflower Sets a New Spa Standard

spa facilities 778972 Mayflower Sets a New Spa StandardThe Mayflower Inn and Spa in Washington, CT, is readying for opening. I was invited to be a part of one of the property’s “soft opening” groups this past week. My reaction? Words like stunning, gorgeous, exquisite, tasteful, thoughtful, and amazing come to mind. Without giving away some of the surprising details that will unfold for all of us in the next few months (hint: the destination program includes unlimited spa treatments), I did want to be among the first to spread the word that the Mayflower Spa will likely set a new standard in luxury for spas around the world. Welcome, welcome, welcome. treatments soaks 709319 Mayflower Sets a New Spa Standard

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If you wish to be put on a list that automatically sends my blog posts to your email, just let dulcy.gregory@spafinder.com know and she will add you to that list. Thanks so much!

Revenue Management Is Coming to the Spa Industry

patates uk 788217 Revenue Management Is Coming to the Spa IndustryEarlier this week Peter and I were in the “audience” during a presentation given by two Cornell University students who are getting their Masters of Management in Hospitality (MMH). They had chosen the topic of revenue management in the spa industry and used the two of us as resources. The students’ primary and secondary research showed that:

1) Very few spas are using revenue management as a tool
2) Doing so would likely increase their bottom line

We were impressed with their insights. Revenue management seems perfect for the spa industry.

But what exactly is it? I checked some definitions and liked this one from PROS:

“Revenue management is the application of science to maximize revenues and profits. Aspects can include forecasting demand, optimizing the allocation of inventory, providing dynamic packaging, and offering dynamic pricing.”

One of the most familiar examples is airlines raising ticket prices during the holidays, lowering them during the week, offering cheaper rates for advance bookings than for last-minute bookings, etc.

In the spa industry, revenue management will likely translate into lower prices for treatments during slower times (mornings and early in the week) and higher rates at peak periods (Saturdays). And that will just be the beginning, as product, hotel room, special service prices, etc. could also be adjusted to rise and fall according to demand. Value-add, packaging, and dynamic pricing will also be part of the mix.

Am I happy about this? Well, yes, if I like my massages on Monday morning.

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If you wish to be put on a list that automatically sends my blog posts to your email, just let dulcy.gregory@spafinder.com know and she will add you to that list. Thanks so much!

Sky’s the Limit on Spa Product Sales

skin care products 794873 Skys the Limit on Spa Product Sales“Women use an average of 12 products on their skin every morning just to get ready for work.” Dori Soukup shared that wisdom at last week’s panel on spa residential living when someone asked her whether enough products would be sold if a spa were not open to the general public but only to members and their guests. I thought that was an inflated number – until I examined my own morning regime. Dori, who has managed a variety of retail outlets in residential communities as executive vice-president of marketing for Pevonia Botanica, assured the questioner that not only do spas boost real estate sales but they also can be revenue producers.

This morning I counted the products I used: body wash, shampoo, hair fortifier, hair conditioner, body lotion, face cleanser, toner, moisturizer, eye cream, foundation, and hand cream. That doesn’t even count eye shadow, eye liner, mascara, blush, two kinds of lip liner, lipstick, lip gloss (ok, I have lip issues), and a moisture spray to “set” the makeup.

It’s becoming clearer to me how spas can have sales targets of 40% product revenue, improving the industry average of approximately 20%. I’m certainly helping some of their bottom lines.

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If you wish to be put on a list that automatically sends my blog posts to your email, just let dulcy.gregory@spafinder.com know and she will add you to that list. Thanks so much!

Living at the Spa, Literally

Picture1 788766 Living at the Spa, LiterallyOne of my dreams came true on Monday. Having been the “lone ranger” three years ago when predicting the popularity of spa lifestyle communities, it was heartening to have the privilege of moderating a panel at the American Spa Expo on Spa Residential Living. And it was even sweeter that my husband, Peter, was there. It hadn’t been easy selling him on the fact that this was really going to be a trend! (He did catch on sooner than most.)

Panelists included Gary Milner representing Canyon Ranch Living, Rick Hayduck from Cliff Communities, Steve Kass from American Leisure, and Dori Soukup from Pevonia. Each shared experiences and views on this burgeoning phenomenon: communities built around a spa/health/wellness lifestyle.

One of the most interesting comments came from Gary Milner, who disclosed that properties at Canyon Ranch Living sell at an almost 50% premium because of the Canyon Ranch life enhancement focus. And Rick shared data that convinced the Cliff Communities – which have primarily been known for golf – to put more resources and emphasis on their wellness-and-lifestyle component. After all, only 10% of consumers are interested in golf, but 75% are interested in health and wellness. So, if golf community real estate is a trillion-dollar industry, the opportunity in spa communities is going to be amazing.

Sigh….very sweet to have this confirmation three years later. And someday my husband and I will likely retire in such a setting. Where we can live at the spa – literally.

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If you wish to be put on a list that automatically sends my blog posts to your email, just let dulcy.gregory@spafinder.com know and she will add you to that list. Thanks so much!