SUNBIZ

Fiji Wins Bid to Host Global Beauty Therapy Congress

Fiji has won the bid to host the annual CI­DESCO Congress at the Sheraton Fiji Re­sort and Spa in September 2020. This was confirmed by Essence of Fiji Group Director
15 Sep 2018 11:26
Fiji Wins Bid to Host Global Beauty Therapy Congress
From left: Essence of Fiji sales and marketing executive Jessy Mocelutu, president of CIDESCO international Anna-cari Gund and Essence of Fiji Group Director Debra Sadranu at this year’s CIDESCO congress in Stockholm, Sweden. SPA TOURISM Fiji Wins Bid to Host Global Beauty Therapy Congress Cartoon by Paul Dorin

Fiji has won the bid to host the annual CI­DESCO Congress at the Sheraton Fiji Re­sort and Spa in September 2020.

This was confirmed by Essence of Fiji Group Director Debra Sadranu.

CIDESCO (Comité International d’Esthétique et de Cosmétology) is a major global beauty therapy association.

Ms Sadranu attended the CIDESCO 2018 con­gress with the company’s sales and marketing executive Jessy Mocelutu in Stockholm, Swe­den, last week.

It has been a dream come true for Ms Sadranu, she says.

She has been bidding to host the event since Essence of Fiji became affiliated with the inter­national body three years ago.

“Essence of Fiji Group is the leading body in the country along with our training academy – Spa Academy Fiji,” Ms Sadranu said.

“The academy became an accredited by CI­DESCO School in 2016, which was a huge achievement to have this recognition in our small Pacific nation.”

Ms Sadranu was asked to be a keynote speaker at CIDESCO’s world congress in Dublin that year (2016).

She spoke about how she has integrated train­ing with tourism and the impact it had on the livelihoods of women in Fiji.

Ms Sadranu said: “We then were approved at the world congress last year in Mumbai to es­tablish a CIDESCO section under the head body based in Switzerland, which we have estab­lished this year.”

In an interview, Ms Sadranu speaks about her plans leading up to 2020’s congress, which will be a first for Fiji.

Excerpts from the interview:

Why did you opt to take that chance?

I have been training and providing employ­ment opportunities for women in Fiji for over 20 years and operating our own Spa, Chain Seni­kai Spas.

However, the need to support industry was des­perately required.

Spa tourism is the second largest channel for foreign earnings outside of hotels.

CIDESCO branding puts Fiji on the global map for spa tourism, showcasing expertise and inter­national standards for visiting Spa enthusiasts.

This is very exciting for Fiji, with up to 500 del­egates of the most experienced and credible CI­DESCO representatives from around the world, we can showcase what our Island destination has to offer in spa tourism.

What have your aspirations been in recent years?

I reckon it has been one of our aspirations to bring the congress over.

My drive and passion is and has always been to develop the beauty and spa industry, create empowerment for women and provide interna­tional standards in spa tourism.

To achieve this, we must continue to elevate our standards and keep up with the ever-evolv­ing trends on a global level.

CIDESCO provides us with the appropriate quality assurance and industry updates to en­sure we are continuously maintaining Interna­tional standards.

How important is event to be brought forward to Fiji?

Very important. Fiji should be so proud to have an industry that makes such an impact on the livelihoods of our people.

Resorts should be eager to showcase the invest­ments made on their superb spa facilities.

Fiji, we know can facilitate a congress and holiday destination that will be a truly unique experience for CIDESCO delegates.

How will the congress boost Fijian tourism?

This Congress will give enormous value to us as a spa tourism destination, with marketing gain and connecting Fiji to CIDESCO sections and stakeholders globally.

Feedback: waisean@fijisun.com.fj

Subscribe-to-Newspaper