On Saturday morning at 6 o'clock, when I was already writing this article, just before the Global Wellness Day, I receive the newsletter from VAST&CURIOUS written by Andreea Rosca. 

This time, it was about a concept drawn from the works of Martin Seligman.

In short, the idea is that at the heart of progress not just resources or context. 

There the belief that we can influence the future - that what we do today matters.

This principle - called agency by psychologist Martin Seligman - has been shown to is the engine of any healthy developmentWhether we're talking about people, teams or industries.

At a time when it is easy to be passive, we, the Spa Community, have chosen to stay involved.

And everything we've built together is a clear expression of this principle set out by Martin Seligman: we imagined, we believed, we acted. 

That's why we have managed to implement programs and structures in Romanian Spas that contribute to a rapid but healthy development - which are generally found only in large corporations.

What have we concretely built for the Romanian spa market in the last year?

A year ago, I wrote this article about the 11 opportunities for spa centers in Romania. All written directions have taken shape. 

Once implemented, we focused on developing other instruments to be of real help to managers and owners in the Spa market.  

In a nutshell, here's what the Spa community has managed to build over the last 12 months - and can already be used by market professionals, but also what's coming this summer and fall. 

1. Education for excellence: the first SpaEdu program accredited by CIDESCO International

In November 2024, when the first cohort has finished SpaEdu - Level 3 Spa Management, some of the trainees have gone on and successfully obtained CIDESCO Certification in Beauty & Spa Management - recognized on all continents, number 1 internationally.

! 1001TPTP3T of those who took the exam passed it - which is very rare, even in countries that have had a spa market since when we were still under communism. 

This is a major step for Romania: SpaEdu trainees - who had no international experience at all - after the 12-month Spa Management course, have reached an internationally recognized level.

2. From fall 2024, we also started a new Level 3 Spa Management group 

which is in full swing. Here's what some of this year's trainees had to say ahead of the Spa Business Challenge:

Cristina Stanciu, Spa Manager Lotus Therm Spa & Luxury Resort Baile Felix:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3C6qnFAV2s

Narisa Miercan, Spa Manager Hotel Palace Băile Govora:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfVHVSNht4I 

Ileana Maiovschi, Spa Manager Country Spa:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7svpox-9_o0&t=1s

3. Challenge Spa Business Challenge a continued this year

Thus, Spa entrepreneurs and managers can receive 4 scholarships worth 50% from the price of the CIDESCO accredited Spa Management course. The scholarships are offered by Farmec - Gerovital Equilibrium, Diversey Romania, Multisoft and Manhae.

4. First Time Manager - a new course launched in the fall which had an immediate impact

designed specifically for colleagues taking on leadership roles in Spa teams for the first time - has produced immediate changes and results in the trainees who have taken part.

They learned:

• how to define measurable responsibilities for the various roles in the Spa
• how to think about and then implement checklists, procedures and SOPs so that the team actually follows them
• how to set SMART objectives for the teams they manage
• how to do job interviews
• when and how to give rewards as well as constructive warnings
• how and when to do performance appraisals
• how to handle cases of harassment

5. The 3 100% Mentoring programs - offered for free - through the voluntary contribution of Mentors

Since January, we have resumed our 2 mentoring programs and launched a new one (Spa Receptionists):

• Mentoring for Spa Managers
• Mentoring for Chief Receptionists 
• Mentoring for Head Therapists
  

In total there were 13 Mentor-Mentee teams with 7 1-on-1 appointments, every 2 weeks for 3 months, 100% for free - with great feedback. 

We continue in 2026 with all 3 Programs, obviously for free! 

6.Recruitment, onboarding and career structures

Through the 6-month work of a Working Group formed in the fall, we launched in April a Full Spa Recruitment:

6.1 Job platform dedicated to the Spa industry - attracting candidates from 2 directions:

• in response to recruitment notices posted by Spa Centers - https://desprespa.ro/oferte-de-munca-spa/ 
• Through the partnerships we have signed with faculties of physiotherapy and tourism - We are going to resume this broader process in the fall, because the testing with the faculties involved so far has yielded results - https://desprespa.ro/cariere-in-spa/
  

6.2. Gamified career structures

which include only measurable responsibilities and have a gamified structure ensuring transparency, predictability and continuous motivation for spa managers, therapists and receptionists

6.3 Internship and Induction & Onboarding Program Structures 

with contracts, guides and processes - all integrated into each partner Spa's account on despreSpa.ro.

Partners who have supported the development of this Recruitment, onboarding and career structures are:

Farmec - Gerovital Equilibrium, Diversey Romania, Multisoft and Manhae
We thank them for their trust, support and involvement!

7. Events, recognition and belonging

Both the Spa Conference and the Spa Tourism Congress give us the opportunity to share perspectives, build genuine relationships and initiate innovative partnerships.

And the Spa Romania Awards act as a spur for every wellness center in the country, pushing the team to surpass themselves compared to the previous year.

• Spa Tourism Congress 
• Spa Romania Conference and Spa Awards Gala
• Global Wellness Day - celebrated this year on June 8 and involving 19 spas from 14 counties - brought wellness into people's lives. Words are superfluous, I invite you to see the pictures and reels in the link - which capture so well the joy and well-being of the participants!

8. NEW: Bonus for despreSpa partners: Spa Reception Resources

In June 2025, we launched a exclusive bonus for despreSpa.ro partners - a practical kit for Spa receptions:

• Ready-to-send emails for common situations (appointments, feedback, offers, etc.)
  
• Texts for telephone and face-to-face interactions
  
• Procedures, guidelines and checklists for reception, reservation management, complaint handling
  

The materials are available in the partners' account and can be downloaded and edited (personalized).

What are we preparing for Spas in summer & fall 2025?

1. even this week launch a new instrument valuable that we are integrating into the recruitment platform - I'll be back with details very shortly
   
2. start new working groups to expand career structures
   
3. a new surprise with a new impetus for aboutSpa.ro partners... in the middle of summer
4. a further development of the recruitment platform to send you a self-assessment and self-matching of candidates - in line with the implemented career structures

• SpaEdu courses resume de:
  • Spa Management (Level 3) - 12 months - CIDESCO accredited - out of 8 October 2025
  • First Time Manager - from September 16, 2025
  • Sales & Spa Operations for receptionists and therapists - from November 4, 2025

• NOU: we start the 6-month program of Advanced Spa Management (Level 4) - for students who have completed Level 3 or have an International Diploma in Spa Management - from October 27, 2025
  

In conclusion

We know there are not easy times ahead.

But together we can build real solutions - and we can advance, step by step, to position Romania on the international Spa map. We are optimistic because despite all the pandemic and economic difficulties, the progress of the Spa market in recent years has been beyond expectations.

Thank you to everyone who gets involved, supports and trusts in the aboutSpa.ro mission.
Moving on. Together