PRODUCT OPINION FOCUS
Jean-Guy de Gabriac co-chair, GWI initiative: Supporting the UN’s 17 SDGs
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he SDGs present a fantastic opportunity to not only rethink operations, but to increase the value proposition of spas, moving away from the reputation of luxury and making them a valued resource in the community, promoting healthier lifestyles and wellness for all. Consumers want to see businesses taking action on the environment and those who don’t get on board will get left behind. A recent study at Yale and George Mason University found consumers want to know what businesses are doing to limit their carbon footprint, emissions, water usage and damage to the earth. A study by RSM found
Consumers want to see businesses taking action on the environment and those who don’t will get left behind
that 70 per cent of millennials – a consumer group projected to spend up to US¢1.4tn this year – indicated a willingness to spend more with brands which support causes or operate using business models which align and resonate with their own eco values. This is the time for spas and the industry to take a stand:
ban single-use plastic; reduce, re-use and recycle; be more inclusive regarding guests with disabilities; develop effective heat and water experiences, with a light footprint on the environment and a positive impact on the bottom line. Instead of focusing on selling treatments by the hour, we should be developing wellness programmes which encourage guests to invest in themselves and feel empowered to adopt healthy habits. There are a number of ways spa and wellness operators
can get started in working for the planet, such as allowing their therapists to work with disadvantaged communities as part of their contracted hours; taking the Green Spa Network’s Pledge for the Planet (and acting on it) and committing to adhering to the eight principles of environmental sustainability. ■■As well as his work on the GWI SDG initiative, De Gabriac is CEO of spa consultancy Tip Touch and founder of World Wellness Weekend
Sarah Livia Brightwood president, Rancho La Puerta
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ne of the key principles in nature is reciprocity. Life begets life and our existence is made possible by much greater circles and cycles of elegant reciprocity. Many of the SDGs recognise these interconnected, mutual, self-renewing cycles and this is also a founding principle of Rancho La Puerta. By caring for our family of employees and their children; the town they live in; the air they breathe; the food they eat and the water they drink, we have transformed their communities with their participation. In turn, they care for our guests with graciousness and dignity. Our guests know we have invested our resources, time and vision in preserving land,
46 spabusiness.com issue 1 2020
By caring for our family of employees and their children... In turn, they care for our guests with graciousness and dignity
recycling water, reducing waste, supporting a robust workplace wellness programme. We also provide continuing education and a multitude of training programmes to our staff in house and our non-profit arm, Fundación La Puerta, educates thousands of local school children every year. These programmes in
environmental education, nutrition, community gardens, social and emotional learning, fire prevention and meditation are our way of giving back to this community which has supported us for 80 years. Five years ago, we updated our mission, vision and values statement. Employees were asked about their personal values and what they understand the founding philosophy of the Ranch to be. The result made my heart sing: ‘To inspire leadership, the pursuit of health, and planetary wellbeing in our
guests, employees, and community’. The values and practices that they determined were needed to embody this vision are: health, respect, authenticity, innovation, honesty, commitment and altruism. Faithfully incorporated by any business, these values naturally encompass and affirm the 17 SDGs. l ■■Brightwood joined Rancho La Puerta in the 1980s. The famous retreat was created by her parents Edmond and Deborah Szekely in 1940