Mushrooming Ayurvedic spas and wellness clinics are attracting many people to Kerala but lack of

adequate trained manpower is a cause of worry to the industry, say sources.

Beauty and wellness treatments, weight reduction, stress management and specialised treatments are
among those offered at the spas and wellness clinics.

However, the Ayurvedic industry is facing a shortage of qualified and trained personnel.

India alone needs 20,000 trained therapists while the mushrooming Ayurvedic spas in the US, Germany,
Russia, Singapore and Malaysia and West Asian countries would need trained hands numbering several
lakhs, Confederation of Indian Industry sources in Kochi said.

For the next few years, the industry's annual requirement of trained therapists would exceed 20,000. The
problems is of lack of quality hands. There is a huge gap between the demand and supply," says S
Sajikumar, managing director, Dhathri Ayurveda Private Ltd.

Dhathri plans to recruit about 2000 personnel to meet its immediate expansion plans, he said.

The company, which would soon extend its clinics to various parts of India and West Asia, was hunting for
160 Ayurvedic physicians.

The spas and wellness clinics are mainly to attract the floating population, including tourists. Kerala
Ayurveda has wellness clinics at Bangalore, Delhi, Gurgaon, Coimbatore and Hyderabad, which is mainly
frequented by the IT crowd.

Globally the wellness industry is estimated at over $250 billion.

There are about 75,000 standard spas world over that provide direct employment to about 1.5 million
people, according to CII sources.

The spa industry has witnessed substantial growth in the last decade and the spa concept has become a
significant part of the dynamic hospitality and leisure industry, the sources said.

In India, there are over 2300 spas that have created direct and indirect employment for about 400,000
people.

In the next four years, 700 new spas, both homegrown and international brands, will open in India to meet
the growing demand, the sources said.

A hotel spa is another growing category where spas can contribute upto 15 per cent of a hotel's revenue.

At present, India has around 20-25 major spa centres, most of them spread in the southern states -Kerala,
Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Besides there are 3400 AYUSH hosptials in the country and 12 yoga hosptials
also, Saji Kumar said
The wellness services market here was expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 30-35
per cent for the next five years.

There was increased demand for qualified staff with supervisory and management skills relevant to the
management of spa facilities.

There were also international career prospects for students in resorts, spas, wellness centers, he said.

The demand for Ayruvedic doctors and Ayurvedic chemsits is skyrocketing. Presently, there are over
600,000 registered Ayurvedic practioners, he said.

But considering the growing popularity of the market, which comprises about 15,000 Ayurvedic and herbal
products worth Rs 6,000 crore (Rs 60 billion) and over 20,000 ayurvedic drugs manufacturing pharmacies,
there was acute requirement of trained manpower, he said.

Yash Birla group owned Birla Kerala Vaidhyashala also plans to open 200 new Ayurvedic treatment
centres within five years across cities in India with a Rs 50-crore (Rs 500-million) investment.

The group would have its spa centres across Kerala, Goa, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata and Chennai,
Harshajeet Kuroop, Managing Director, said.

The BKV specialises in offering treatments for lifestyle and chronic health disorders with herbal medicines
and oils prepared in-house.

Ayurvedic rejuvenation packages and day spa procedures will also be available.

Image: Ex-Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee (L) lights a lamp at an Ayurvedic conference.

The Indian spa industry, with over 2,300 spas, generates

revenues around US$ 400 million annually
The Spa industry has observed strong growth and is expected to grow dynamically. The
rise in annual disposable incomes among individuals, coupled with the growing level of
health awareness, has created strong opportunities for existing and new entrants in this
sector.

IMF recently released data that India and China represent the two fastest-growing world
economies. There’s no doubt that each country is developing at a breakneck pace,
unleashing new class mobility, and newly evolving markets. One economic sub-sector
experiencing significant growth and evolution is the spa industry in India, which,
according to the Research, represents one of the most interesting global spa economies to
watch in 2010 and beyond. With the extended global spa economy now estimated to be
worth $255 billion, there has never been a better time for the wellness industry in India.
India will also continue to be a hot spot for those that seek travel services that incorporate
diverse wellness packages, including people who couple medical procedures with spa
indulgences, Ayurvedic treatments or cultural immersion experiences. The Indian spa
industry is increasing every year, making the country one of the most popular spa
destinations across the world.

The Indian spa industry, with over 2,300 spas, generates revenues around US$ 400
million annually. At present, India has around 20-25 major spa centers, most of them in
the Southern states of Kerala and Karnataka. With over 700 spas predicted to open their
doors in the next 2-5 years, there’s no doubt that the spa industry in India is growing
fast. While the spa market in India is still a modest sliver of the overall $60-billion-plus
global spa economy, India is poised to attract significantly more western tourists
(particularly on the medical/wellness/travel front) as well as continue to develop its own
vibrant, indigenous spa market at a heady pace. Indian spas will also continue to expand
their Ayurvedic menus, for both their passionate overseas clientele who want to
experience authentic Ayurvedic therapies, as well as for local enthusiasts who are either
already familiar with the benefits, or who wish to adopt their own Indian healing
traditions for the first time. Also gradually growing on the western consumer’s radar is
Ayurvedic medicine, which is often introduced to consumers in other countries via the
spa industry. The size of India's Ayurvedic industry is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of
around 22% during 2009-2012 in view of rising demand for ayurvedic therapy and
products. Many of the newer Indian spas are fashionably designed around Indian history,
astrology and values, and offer incredible immersive spa experiences, dedicated to
indigenous culture, myth, materials and design.

Yoga and Ayurveda will continue to be classic examples of global cross-pollination.

Yoga, one of the most powerful and profitable wellness modalities in the world, is a
lifestyle for millions of people who are increasingly enthusiastic about traveling to the
spiritual and cultural source that is India. The growing level of competition identifies the
major domestic and foreign players in the Indian market including the geographical
presence, services offered and business outlook for each player.As state tourism
departments (particularly in Kerala) aggressively promote and package Ayurveda, India
should put in place new legislation mandating scientific methods and quality control,
trained therapists, Ayurvedic doctors and license certifications to reap the benefits of the
rising global demand for wellness

There are 2300 spas in India, $400 mn is Indian spa industry's annual revenue and 700
new spas will come up in the next 2-5 years. These figures may be an eye-opener for
many, but the fact of the matter is that the concept of spa treatment is gaining ground in
India.

In today's time and age when everyone's is running a rat race with the mantra being work
hard and party harder, massages and spa treatments are indeed the best ways to
rejuvenate ourselves so it is but natural that spa treatments has caught the eye of Indian
denizens in a big way.

Globally, the spa industry is going great guns and in fact over the years an inextricable
link has been established between spa and medical tourism industry. By global standards,
the Indian spa industry still has a long way to go as most spas here are just over a decade
or two old. Nevertheless it has started to expand now and has diversified into array of
categories: resort spas, day spas, destination spas and medical spas.

A quick look at the spa industry reveals its dynamic and diverse nature. In the near future,
experts are foreseeing new trends that will drive this industry. For instance, oxygen
treatment will in popular demand. Further, a higher degree of personalization, luxury as
well as innovation will probably on the cards of various spa set ups, going forward.
Moreover, nowadays, people are more skewed towards the product ingredients as well.
So, any spa with organic and natural products will have the guests hooked to them as
people prefer to keep away from chemical products.

With the industry growing phenomenally in the last couple of years, there is also a
growing realization for defining and uniting the spa industry as it will ensure consistency
and quality of spa experience for a customer. Bearing this in mind, spa industry leaders -
comprising registered health and skin care professionals, spa owners, spa facility
designers, and consultants- have come together to form the Spa Association of India. To
top it all, the Indian government is also intending to have an accreditation system which
will categorize the spas based on their facilities, quality products, trained manpower,
location, etc. This will enable a person to zero down on the right spa.

Today, India has around 20-25 major spa centres. Majority of them are located in Kerala
and Karnataka. And now with 700 more spas to be set up in the next couple of years,
there's no doubt that spa industry in India is gaining momentum. At the same time, Indian
spas will continue to concentrate on providing Ayurvedic therapies, for both passionate
foreign clientele'is who wish to experience authentic Ayurvedic treatments, as well as for
local fans that either are aware of the benefits or wish to explore Indian healing traditions
for the first time. In fact as per industry experts the growing demand for health and
wellness spas, has led to a spurt in spa management companies as well.

Nowadays the companies are focusing more on rejuvenation, and balancing the body
elements than on medical cure. A Balinese message is a more popular message technique
done with the help of palm and thumb and helps make the patient relaxed and calm
throughout. Furthermore, there are even spa treatments for muscle manipulation and
blood circulation, besides the treatment is also good for those having joint pains.

There is a lot that goes into making the spa experience a unique one, from the rooms,
facilities to the spa- a lot of detailing has to go into it to ensure holistic experience to the
clientele's and Indian companies are pulling out all stops to endow that experience to
them.