Dubai spas join global agency

A group of Dubai spas have been chosen as the Middle East chapter of the International SPA Asso-ciation (ISPA). The association's role is to inform the public about the spa experience and encourage them to try it.

The ISPA-Middle East will follow the aims of the internationally recognised professional association which represents more than 2,000 fitness facilities in 55 countries.

The ISPA regional chapter's founding members represent some of the region's premier beauty and fitness locations including Spa Resources; Dubai's first and biggest spa, the luxury Cleopatra's Spa Dubai; the Burj Al Arab; Dubai Ladies Club and all hotel spas in the UAE.

"The ISPA has worked consistently to improve the spa industry and at the same time, bring its benefits to the attention of the public," said Carina Billetun, the President and conference chair of the SPA Europe.

"As a regional hub, Dubai is the perfect place to begin to spread the ISPA message across the Middle East," she adds.

Daniella Russell, Director of the Health and Leisure division of the MKM Group, which owns and operates the Cleopatra's Spa brand, and the region's first ever ISPA board representative, has been elected president of the ISPA-Middle East.

Its members in Dubai will carry on the Association's mission with the help of committee members including Rebecca Chard, Burj Al Arab's spa manager, who is vice president and Executive Director of the Dubai Ladies Club, Ayesha Butti, who will be responsible for Government relations.

The Dubai Ladies Club, which will open its spa and fitness facilities in February next year, sees great potential for improving the quality of beauty and fitness treatments in Dubai and the broader region.