Members of the Asia Pacific Spa and Wellness Coalition (APSWC) convened at the end of March for their annual Round Table event in Bangkok, Thailand for discussions dedicated to the ethical considerations and potential benefits of integrating AI into spa and wellness services, along with other issues of weight such as sustainability, an aging workforce and how wellness can combat digital pollutants in modern life.
Amid the dialogue, it became evident that while wellness providers approach AI integration with caution, they also recognise its potential for improving various aspects of their businesses.
APSWC members met for annual round table discussions in Bangkok, Thailand at the Salil Journey Riverside Hotel on March 21-22
“Managing AI integration within the spa and wellness industry requires a balanced approach prioritising human values, ethics, and sustainable practices while accepting that AI can provide the ‘what’ and ‘how’ but not the ‘why’ of business,” stated Cybille Barcebal, corporate wellness manager for Araw Hospitality Group.
Victoria Kruse, brand consultant wellness and spa at JA Resorts & Hotels – whose consultancy is currently exploring the use of AI to enhance screening solutions and create more tailored programmes for well-being – encouraged the evaluation of both marketing and operational needs during integration.
“AI has the potential to address many specific pain points. We must differentiate between back-end efficiency improvements and front-end customer experiences. There should also be an expert checking (results) on both ends, because AI is not always 100 per cent accurate,” she advised.
Regarding concerns about job displacement, Faheem Ebrahim, founder and managing director of Xin Performance and head of technology on the APSWC board, reassured attendees that AI should augment rather than replace human roles. He emphasised the importance of engaging with AI at different levels, and suggested hiring a data analyst as a springboard if unsure where to begin.
The APSWC 2024 white paper summarising all discussion results will be uploaded to the association’s website later this week.
“The paper is (created) to be a catalyst for action once the key issues and the steps to be taken are identified. Some issues can be resolved with a bit of hard work and commitment by individual operators or business owners, while others require the input or assistance of third parties. It is, naturally, up to us as stakeholders to proactively request that assistance,” said APSWC chairman Andrew Jacka.
He also shared that the association is in touch with the Department of Tourism Thailand about reviewing the ASEAN Spa Services Standard, which has not been updated since its release in 2016.
Members of the Asia Pacific Spa and Wellness Coalition (APSWC) convened at the end of March for their annual Round Table event in Bangkok, Thailand for discussions dedicated to the ethical considerations and potential benefits of integrating AI into spa and wellness services, along with other issues of weight such as sustainability, an aging workforce and how wellness can combat digital pollutants in modern life.
Amid the dialogue, it became evident that while wellness providers approach AI integration with caution, they also recognise its potential for improving various aspects of their businesses.
“Managing AI integration within the spa and wellness industry requires a balanced approach prioritising human values, ethics, and sustainable practices while accepting that AI can provide the ‘what’ and ‘how’ but not the ‘why’ of business,” stated Cybille Barcebal, corporate wellness manager for Araw Hospitality Group.
Victoria Kruse, brand consultant wellness and spa at JA Resorts & Hotels – whose consultancy is currently exploring the use of AI to enhance screening solutions and create more tailored programmes for well-being – encouraged the evaluation of both marketing and operational needs during integration.
“AI has the potential to address many specific pain points. We must differentiate between back-end efficiency improvements and front-end customer experiences. There should also be an expert checking (results) on both ends, because AI is not always 100 per cent accurate,” she advised.
Regarding concerns about job displacement, Faheem Ebrahim, founder and managing director of Xin Performance and head of technology on the APSWC board, reassured attendees that AI should augment rather than replace human roles. He emphasised the importance of engaging with AI at different levels, and suggested hiring a data analyst as a springboard if unsure where to begin.
The APSWC 2024 white paper summarising all discussion results will be uploaded to the association’s website later this week.
“The paper is (created) to be a catalyst for action once the key issues and the steps to be taken are identified. Some issues can be resolved with a bit of hard work and commitment by individual operators or business owners, while others require the input or assistance of third parties. It is, naturally, up to us as stakeholders to proactively request that assistance,” said APSWC chairman Andrew Jacka.
He also shared that the association is in touch with the Department of Tourism Thailand about reviewing the ASEAN Spa Services Standard, which has not been updated since its release in 2016.