“ Even if somebody chooses to use a different product , but we ’ ve helped them build that confidence , we ’ ve increased that level of knowledge , we ’ ve still done our jobs .”
— NICOLE KENNY , President of Professional and Technical Services , Virox
to think about is making sure you ’ re really vetting who you ’ re getting your education through ,” says Anna Bralley .
Nicole Kenny also advises working , whenever possible , with organizations familiar with the spa industry because they ’ re more likely to be meaningfully invested in the industry ’ s success beyond the present moment .“ We just want to make certain that people are comfortable with their practices so they can share that with their guests and really elevate who they are . Even if somebody chooses to use a different product , but we ’ ve helped them build that confidence , we ’ ve increased that level of knowledge , we ’ ve still done our jobs .”
For Carol Rose Brown and the rest of the JCTI team , working with trusted partners made a huge difference as they carried out their massive training experiment , which has thus far proven successful . They have even partnered with the University of the West Indies to offer a course on tourism law and are in the process of expanding their facilities to become a kind of training hub , able to offer trainings more widely available throughout the region . All told , more than 5,000 people earned certifications through JCTI ’ s efforts . “ I have to be honest ; we didn ’ t think something like that could happen , but it did .” Brown adds that , as the industry continues to recover from the pandemic , spas have the chance to set themselves apart with the devotion to guest well-being that robust training programs illustrate .“ If you can present to a potential guest that your people are properly trained and certified , that ought to be a selling point .”
Anna Bralley couldn ’ t agree more .“ I don ’ t think we do enough to really tell our customers about the training we have . It sends a message : I ’ ve been preparing for you to come back , and I learned all these new skills , and together we ’ re going to accomplish your wellness goals .” n
Spa Director Mary Winter of the Westin Sarasota wants every guest to know about the certifications her employees have earned .
FEATURED SOURCES
CAROL ROSE BROWN Director JAMAICAN CENTRE OF TOURISM INNOVATION |
ANNA BRALLEY Director of Products and Training UNIVERSAL COMPANIES |
NICOLE KENNY President of Professional and Technical Services VIROX |
MARY WINTER Spa Director WESTIN SARASOTA |
22 PULSE ■ MARCH 2021 |
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