United Arab Emirates: Wednesday, August 15 - 2007 at 15:02

Green Globe, the international certification body that developed environmentally responsible benchmarking for resort construction, accommodation and operations is developing Sector Benchmarking Indicators (SBI) for spa operation using the independently verified EarthCheck benchmarking system.

These Sector Benchmarking Indicators for Spa Operations will be the first eco-label for the global spa industry.

Up until the introduction of this programme, spas have traditionally been benchmarked through the resorts and hotels in which they operate, rather than independently. As Six Senses Spas have been a driving force in environmentally friendly spa development and operations, it was a natural progression that Green Globe and Six senses should join resources to develop benchmarking for spa operations.

Comprehensive data from Six Senses Spas has been collected and compiled for analysis of spa performance in order to set baseline and best-practice standards, as endorsed by EarthCheck. The many benchmarking indicators, which include all aspects of water usage and energy efficiency, will become the integral part of the Green Globe Sector Benchmarking Indicators for spa operations.

With total commitment to this sponsored programme, every Six Senses Spa has enrolled for Green Globe Affiliation, with Benchmarked status scheduled before the end of 2007, and full Certification by 2008. As future Six Senses Spas are developed, they will also enrol for affiliation and benchmarking.

With this commitment, Six Senses Spas takes a leading role in the spa industry as an environmentally responsible spa operator.

Regarding its Six Senses operations in the Middle East, Bernhard Bohnenberger, Managing Director and Chief Business Development Officer of Six Senses Resorts & Spas, said "Six Senses Resorts and Spas is currently present in the Middle east with a Six Senses Spa at the Sharq Village (management of the hotel by Ritz Carlton) in Doha, Qatar. And we are developing a Six Senses Spa for the Trident in Dubai. We are also preparing for a November 2007 opening of our first resort in the Middle East, under our Evason Hideaway brand - the Evason Hideaway and Six Senses Spa at Zighy Bay, near Dibba, in Mussandam, only 70 - 80 minutes drive from Dubai."

He further mentioned, "Work has also started on the renovation of a hotel complex at Ma'in, in Jordan, which was to date known as the Janna Hot Springs. After extensive renovations and development of additional facilities, with an opening planned for third quarter 2008, this will be managed under our Evason Latitude brand, and named the Evason Latitude and Six Senses Spa at Ma'in. We strongly believe in the great potential for further Six Senses Resorts and Spas in the region, and are in active discussions with several other developments."

Six Senses Spas currently operate in the group's Soneva and Evason properties in Thailand, Vietnam and the Maldives. They are also hosted in resorts and hotels in Spain, Mauritius, Dominican Republic, Portugal, Greece, Turkey and Qatar. New developments include Europe, Asia, the Americas and Pacific regions.

Source AMEInfo