With stress levels progressively rising during the past few months as world economies shrink and jobs are lost in record numbers, spas have provided an oasis of comfort and relaxation for many throughout the world.
The situation has been no different in South Africa, as the continent’s largest economy bore the full brunt of the economic slowdown. But the spa industry in South Africa has remained strong and continues to show great growth potential as the nation draws closer to hosting the Fédération Internationale de Football Association’s (FIFA) World Cup for soccer in June and July of 2010.
“Sure, the economy has generally not performed well during the past few months. At first, people were hesitant to book appointments at a spa, considering it to be more of a luxury than a necessity, but then our clients realized that discovering a way to find peace and calm became a necessity. This, I guess, is what has been the determining factor that has helped the industry survive the economic downturn,” notes Katy Low, director of Zau Spa in the small township of Cullinan, sandwiched between Pretoria and Johannesburg.