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Donegal hotel spas to be
classified
27.03.07
Inishowen’s three hotel
spas are to categorised under a Failte Ireland
scheme to set down formal criteria in the growing
‘Health and Wellness’ tourism sector.
The Ballyliffin Lodge and Spa, the Inishowen Gateway
Hotel’s Seagrass Centre and the Carlton Redcastle
Hotel and Thalasso Spa, are among 140 spas in
Ireland earmarked for classification in four new
categories – health farm, destination spa, resort
spa or hotel spa. |
The move is part of
Failte Ireland’s €540m tourism strategy that
includes measures for regulation of the growing spa
industry.
The State tourism authority, concerned that
consumers don’t know what to expect from Irish spa
resorts, has appointed consultants Hospitality
Design Associates to conduct a full review of the
country’s‘Health and Wellness’ retreats. |
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A Failte Ireland
spokesperson told InishowenNews.com the new system
was being introduced because of the huge growth in
the number of spa resorts around Ireland in recent
years.
A tourism industry working group was formed last
year to work with Fáilte Ireland on a new brand
positioning for the ‘Health and Wellness’ sector and
the development of a new categorisation system.
The new system will help consumers differentiate
between what each resort is offering in terms of
facilities and treatments.
It will also create a foundation for defining ‘clear
standards’.
Every spa in the country will be assessed in the
coming months. When assessments are complete, a
brochure and website will be prepared, containing a
list of all spas by category. This will then be used
in all marketing and promotional activities at home
and abroad.
While the scheme is voluntary, it is expected that
most of the industry will sign up to it. In so
doing, they can avail of a special spa marketing
budget paid for under the Failte Ireland scheme.
A spokesperson for the luxury Carlton Redcastle
Hotel and Thalasso spa on the banks of Lough Foyle,
said: “We welcome the new spa categorisation
initiative as it will allow the customer to
differentiate the spa offering nationwide.” |
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