Best Spas and Wellness Centres in Malaysia announced

The Hong Kong-based Asia Spa & Wellness Promotion Council (ASWPC) have just announced the winners of the Malaysia Spa & Wellness Awards 2008. As I am the Chairman of the Council, I was asked by the committee to accompany Datin Seri Paduka Rosmah Mansor, wife of the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia and Datuk Dr Ong Hong Peng, Secretary General of the Ministry of Tourism to present the awards. It was tiring, but seeing the smiles on the faces of the recipients were worth the efforts.

Below, I append the Press Release:

--------------------

Best Spas and Wellness Centres in Malaysia Announced
30 Spas, Wellness Centres and Spa Product Brands Honoured in Oscar-styled Ceremony

KUALA LUMPUR - In a star-studded ceremony reminiscent of the Academy Awards, 30 spas, wellness centres and spa product brands were honoured with the Malaysia Spa & Wellness Awards 2008 at the Sime Darby Convention Centre.

As each Award was announced by master of ceremony Datuk Jalaluddin Hassan, the whole ballroom roared with applause from both winner and nominees alike.

The much awaited Awards, dubbed the most prestigious awards for spas and wellness centres in Malaysia are organised by the Malaysian spa community, led by the Asia Spa & Wellness Promotion Council. The Awards were presented by Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor, wife of the Deputy Prime Minister. Also present at the packed Awards ceremony were Datuk Dr Ong Hong Peng, secretary general of the Ministry of Tourism, Datuk Dr. Victor Wee, advisor in the Ministry of Finance, Datuk Ilyas Zainol Abidin, president of Malaysian Association of Hotels and William Ng, chairman of Asia Spa & Wellness Promotion Council and organising chairman of the Awards, and representatives from spa associations across Asia.

The winners were selected from a pool of 152 nominations, and were judged by a panel of independent judges comprising spa personalities, travel and lifestyle magazine editors and celebrities. The grueling nomination and adjudication process took over two months, and comprised of mystery visits and spa audits. In deciding the winner, the judges took into consideration both the ‘hardware’ component – ambience, design and equipment, and ‘software’ component – therapist skills and qualifications, treatment menus, and service quality.

Among the big winners of the night were YTL’s Spa Village group, which took home four awards and Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts’ CHI Spas with three awards. Local entrepreneur Mona Din, founder of the Serenity Spa group and Leesa Formula brand was named Spa Personality of the Year. Mariana Ibrahim of CHI Spa in Shangri-La's Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa, Penang, a spa industry veteran was named the Best Spa Therapist.

Awards Chairman, William Ng said that the Awards proved that Malaysian spas have come of age, and are now operating at an international level.

“The judges were impressed with the overall quality of nominations and submissions this year, and had a difficult time choosing the winners. The general consensus is that the winners have all displayed standards consistent with the best in the world”, Ng said.

He added, “Since the introduction of the Awards in 2006, the industry has rallied behind this momentous annual event, and the Awards have raised the bar for the spa and wellness industry. At the same time, we are seeing greater recognition locally and internationally for our spas, which bodes well for our quest to become a regional spa destination”.

# # #

About the Asia Spa & Wellness Promotion Council

The Asia Spa & Wellness Promotion Council, or ASWPC is the regional coordinating body for the promotion of spas and wellness centres. We assist national and regional organisation in promoting spas and wellness centres inter- and intra-regionally to an audience of wellness tourists, health practitioners and other stakeholders.

Our credo:
1. Uphold the professionalism of the spa & wellness industry at all times
2. Promote sustainability and respect for the environment in all we do
3. Treat all practitioners and stakeholders as equal

About the Malaysia Spa & Wellness Awards

The Malaysia Spa & Wellness Awards is an annual Awards ceremony organized collectively by and for the spa and wellness community in Malaysia. The Awards is endorsed and supported by Tourism Malaysia, Malaysian Association of Hotels and the Asia Spa & Wellness Promotion Council.

The Organising Committee comprises spa owners and directors, and travel, lifestyle and business media.

For more info, visit www.spawellnessawards.com