Kenya’s Spa And Wellness Sector Hit Kshs 5Bn in 2017 #TheMoneySeries

Sub-Saharan spas employ 28,911 people.On wellness, about 5.4million wellness trips were taken in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2015 with their expenditure hitting Kshs 400 billion.

Kenya’s Spa and Wellness sector hit Sh5Bn in 2017

Kenya’s Spa and Wellness sector has hit Sh5 billion in 2017 according to Spa and Wellness Association of Africa (SWAA) Kenyan Chapter.

Winnie Taylor, whose wellness centre is part of the Spa and Wellness Association says the sector is growing at 10 percent year on year attributable to increase of the middle class.

“The influence of wellness has become a new reality due to long or unprecedented working hours and upward trend of nonstandard work schedules e.g. in the evenings at night or weekend. Add the spread of a more globalized 24/7 economy, and you have the perfect recipe for a considerably strained workforce and their families,” Taylor told Journalists in a press conference.

Kenya’s Spa and Wellness sector hit Sh5Bn in 2017

However the sector continues to grapple with a need for skilled workforce who can raise the wellness industry to the next level.

Taylor who is also the founder of Body Evolution raised concerns over rogue workforce working as wellness professionals as well as increase of sub-standard Spa and Wellness centres.

“We need regulations in the sector to drive its growth, rogue workforce is could hurt consumers and hamper its growth,” she added.

According to market research and analytics firm, Euromonitor International, Health and Wellness Tourism in Kenya recorded a value growth of 9 percent in 2013 to reach sales of Sh2.5 billion.

“Kenya is waking up to wellness, and the diaspora has created a demand not only on the continent, but also internationally. But spas in Kenya need to raise their standards to cater to the demand from well-travelled wellness tourists seeking international and indigenous treatments. We can’t continue with sub-par standards and expect to compete globally,” she said.

On her part, SWAA Kenyan Chapter Executive Committee Chair, Jasnil Danjal says Kenya needs more skilled people, citing that the country is far from the target.

“We need collaborations from governments and businesses to further develop these skills if we want to grow, “She noted.

The sector is seeking new regulations and is set to propose a bill in parliament that will see the sector well handled.

“We are currently collecting data, and soon we are going to put up a bill in parliament, that will bring an end to rogue professionals and raise the standards,” Hair Beauty and Barbers Association Vice Chairperson Lucy Mitambo.

According to Global Wellness Institute there are about there are about 2,317 Spas in sub Saharan Africa as of 2015 with total revenues of Sh100 billion.

Sub-Saharan spas employ 28,911 people.

On wellness, about 5.4million wellness trips were taken in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2015 with their expenditure hitting Sh400 billion.

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