Pulse Legacy Archive January / February 2011 | Page 16

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ENERGY
DAY SPA:

Growing
Malaysia’s Spa
Scene
B Y M A E M A Ñ AC A P - J O H N S O N

14 PULSE

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January/February 2011

C

ompared to Bali, Indonesia or Bangkok, Thailand—two of
Southeast Asia’s long-reputed healing destinations and
among the region’s strongest spa industries—Malaysia is
relatively a new kid on the block in the global spa scene.
While the concept of natural healing is deeply supported by its diverse
culture, its spa industry is considered by many experts as still in its
infancy.
As a young industry with a potential to reach RM830 million
(about $267 million) by 2020 (Source: Malaysia’s Economic
Transformation Programme or ETP), pioneering spas like Energy Day
Spa are taking baby steps to help boost Malaysia’s spa industry through
its education-driven initiatives and involvement with the Association of
Malaysian Spas (AMSPA) in which Energy Day Spa owner Datin
Ramona Suleiman currently sits as founding and current president.