22-24 Apr 2024
Galgorm Resort,
York,
|
23-25 Apr 2024
Phoenix Convention Center,
Phoenix,
United States
|
28-30 Apr 2024
Radisson Blu Hotel,
Glasgow,
|
08-08 May 2024
Hotel Melià ,
Milano ,
Italy
|
10-12 May 2024
China Import & Export Fair Complex,
Guangzhou,
China
|
13-16 May 2024
Conrad Chia Laguna Sardinia ,
Italy
|
14 May 2024
JPMorgan Chase Headquarters,
New York City,
United States
|
18-22 May 2024
The Ravenala Attitude Hotel,
Mauritius
|
|
|
|
Wellness industry urgently requires diversification of workforce, says Rianna Riego |
|
By Megan Whitby 16 Jul 2020 |
Riego has worked in the spa and wellness industry for over 20 years
|
Industry consultant and self-claimed 'wellness passionista', Rianna Riego, believes the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement has reawakened society to the reality of a system that still discriminates on the basis of colour, gender, age and religion – and the spa industry is no exception.
“Being a darker-skinned female and immigrant from a third world country, my career path in the US has been ‘coloured’ with many stories of bias and discrimination,” Riego told Spa Business.
“These experiences, unfortunately, at times included my beloved spa industry, which prides itself on being a diverse tribe of professionals. My personal experience of bias has tended to be subtle and part of the power dynamics within a company, but other incidents were more apparent.”
For example, after 20 years of experience opening, operating, designing and rebranding spas and wellness facilities, Riego had the opportunity to be the face and voice of a brand that she helped envision and develop.
“I was surprised to hear that some of the ownership weren’t comfortable with the idea of me representing the brand,” she explained, “I knew this wasn’t related to my levels of qualification but instead was due to the fact I was older and not white.”
At another facility, Riego shared that she was astonished when a co-owner scolded her for hiring a black male director for fear of ‘scaring’ the predominantly Jewish guests who may find his presence intimidating.
She also went on to say that she has extensive firsthand experience of guests indicating a preference to not have black, Hispanic, gay or older therapists, either verbally or by changing or cancelling their appointments.
“The spa experience is very personal and there are levels of comfort we should respect, but is the discomfort from a white woman being touched by a male African American therapist a cultural issue or privacy right? What should the ideals of our industry be and where do we draw the line?”
Riego feels these complex problems are exacerbated by sexism in the industry.
“Even in a female-dominated workforce, women aren’t fully represented in the corporate decision-making process or hierarchy in the industry in general,” she said.
Looking ahead towards solutions, Riego feels the demand for wellness services is growing but the experienced workforce is shrinking.
“Our industry has not been able to attract a proper representation of the millennial workforce which is now closer to 50 per cent non-white.
She believes it’s now crucial that the next-generation workforce sees more diversity at the helm currently, in order to attract them in future.
“As an industry that started out wanting to heal the world, we need to rediscover and articulate its commitment to humanity and that service is noble – this is our strength and we should champion it.
“Our industry was borne out of a passion to care for others and now has an opportunity to help heal the world while redefining how the world views wellness – as a lifestyle choice that embraces diversity as its norm.
“Make no mistake, my business success is due not only to my hard work but from people of all backgrounds believing in and supporting me. We can choose to reflect the good and tolerant in society and in doing so, set an example and attract a larger diverse workforce and customer.”
|
|
News |
1 to 12 of 8697 news stories |
|
|
18 Apr 2024
The Global Wellness Institute (GWI) has released new data on the US’ wellness economy, valuing it at US$1.8 trillion. According to the organisation's recent report – called The Global Wellness Economy: United States – the ... More
|
|
|
|
19 Apr 2024
UK sauna enthusiasts will converge at Galgorm Resort in Northern Ireland next week for the highly anticipated second annual UK Aufguss Championships. Hosted from 22-24, the event will see competitors from across the UK showcasing ... More
|
|
|
|
17 Apr 2024
Remedy Place, a US-based social wellness club brand, is poised for steady expansion in the coming years, with plans to open two new clubs annually moving forward Remedy Place is the brainchild of Dr Jonathan ... More
|
|
|
|
16 Apr 2024
Swiss longevity brand Clinique La Prairie (CLP) has inked a deal with Montara Hospitality Group to operate a resort at Tri Vananda – a purpose-built wellness community in Phuket, Thailand. Tri Vananda, envisioned as a ... More
|
|
|
|
15 Apr 2024
Six Senses has announced the grand opening of its first-ever property and spa in the Caribbean, called Six Senses La Sagesse. With a picturesque beachfront setting and surrounded by verdant hills, Six Senses La Sagesse ... More
|
|
|
|
12 Apr 2024
A brand new desert hot springs oasis, called Zion Canyon Hot Springs, is set to open in Southern Utah in Q3 of 2025. Situated 30 minutes from the majestic Zion National Park, the US$60 million ... More
|
|
|
|
11 Apr 2024
Recovery, social wellness and longevity were talking points at PerformX recently, tipped by many speakers as upcoming trends, while the exhibition halls featured infrared saunas, compression therapy and ice baths. The UK is currently lagging ... More
|
|
|
|
11 Apr 2024
A new study by UCLA Health found Kundalini yoga provided several benefits to cognition and memory for older women at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Benefits included restoring neural pathways, preventing brain matter decline and ... More
|
|
|
|
10 Apr 2024
Luxury lakeside retreat The Ritz-Carlton-Reynolds, Lake Oconee in Georgia, US, is gearing up to unveil its new-look destination spa this May following a comprehensive makeover. Spanning 27,000sq ft, the newly renovated spa will feature entirely ... More
|
|
|
|
09 Apr 2024
Europe’s first Evian Spa has opened at the five-star Hôtel Royal in Evian-les-Bains, France – the birthplace of the Danone-owned mineral water brand Evian. The spa has been realised following a comprehensive 12-month renovation of ... More
|
|
|
|
08 Apr 2024
A boutique safari and wellness escape will open in Botswana’s wildlife-rich Okavango Delta this May, marking the latest venture from Ibiza's Atzaró Group. The Atzaró Okavango Camp will be a 12-suite property, situated by the ... More
|
|
|
|
05 Apr 2024
Global publishing outfit, Leisure Media, has announced details of its new annual conference for decision-makers across the health, fitness and wellness markets. The event – the HCM Summit – will be held at the QEII ... More
|
|
|
|
|
|