Khulood Al Thani, Marketing Manager of DSF Office said, 'The Spa Packages is into its third year in 2008 and during this DSS we aim to replicate the previous successes and also in the process, introduce new initiatives to promote Dubai as a growing global destination for spa tourism.'

'Dubai is renowned for the facilities it offers tourists, and with the burgeoning number of international spa resorts in Dubai, we are witnessing a steady increase in the number of spa tourists to the emirate. Dubai is unique for the fact that almost every spa treatment found around the world can now be enjoyed here,'

added Khulood.

The modern-day spa is not just a relaxation centre but a well-being concept as many Spa managers will tell you. Spas offer a wide variety of techniques and services to meet the diverse needs of their clients: Swedish, Japanese Shiatsu, and Thai massage, European facials, acupuncture, Dead Sea salt scrubs, aromatherapy, reflexology, endermologie, reiki, rasul, hypnotherapy, classes in nutrition, meditation, yoga and Tai Chi, state-of-the-art fitness centres with personal trainers, and much more.

The participating spas of DSS Spa Packages offer a majority of these treatments, while dealing with every spa visitor on an individual basis. The International Spa Association (ISPA) has defined the 'ten domains of SPA' or segments of the industry as the Waters; Food, Nourishment, Diet and Nutrition; Movement, Exercise and Fitness; Touch, Massage, and Bodywork; Mind/Body/Spirit; Aesthetics, Skin Care, Natural Beauty Agents; Physical Space, Climatology, Global Ecology; Social/Cultural Arts and Values; Spa Culture Management, Marketing, and Operations; and time, Rhythm, and Cycles.

Today's spas are not much different from those in the Roman times as regards to the basic methods involved. The first step, cleaning, is a visit to the shower to purify the body. The second step is to heat the body. Many spas offer heated whirlpools, saunas, and steam rooms. The third step is the treatment such as a body scrub and massage. The last and equally important step is rest.

There are as many types of spas as there are treatments and although it may look confusing for a first time visitor, the experience is nevertheless something to remember and different every other visit. There are general treatments focused on relieving stress and more specialized therapies for illnesses. It is up to each visitor to decide what treatment is suitable for them.

The health industry in UAE has been witnessing tremendous growth in the past couple of years as dedicated health and wellness ventures attract a seemingly high number of people seeking specialised medical treatment and investors alike. The spa industry is a small but growing segment in the burgeoning health industry and in the coming years, specialized wellness programmes like the ones in spas are set to lure a niche group of health tourists.