Wellness is nothing new to Morocco or to the Moroccan people. It is part of a heritage left to them by the Romans during the 3rd century. Romans have imported the comfort of wellness into the heart of modern-day Morocco.
Set and implanted in Volubilis, over 42 hectares not far from the city of Meknès some 300 km from the port of Tanger, this somewhat battered yet glorious monument gives witness to the existence of a time where a magnificent site of well-being stood.
This monument held marvelous pools, steam baths, patios paved with beautiful polychromatic mosaics, and curious types of showers with spouts that projected water from high above, equipped with seats arranged in such a way so as to respect the intimacy of the bather. All this gives us the image of a sun-bathed, well-ventilated and healthy city inhabited by the rich and the cultivated. These images could serve as a current description for the spa of the 21st century.
Not far from the most beautiful ruins in Morocco is the immortal thermal station of Moulay Yacoub, situated 22 km from the city of Fès. It is known and renowned for the beneficial properties of its thermal and mineral springs. The springs’ temperatures and flow make them important and rather attractive waters for their therapeutic virtues.
These high temperature springs are true sulfuric waters. They naturally surface at a temperature of 54º C at their place of origin and emerge from a depth of 1500m. The pH of the waters is of 6.2, going up to 7.2 after one minute in the air. This thermal station already well known in the 1930s, used to welcome famous writers, such as André Gide and Henry de Montherlant.
Ancestral treatments are found at the heart of the Moroccan tradition, such as Henna, Ghassoul clay, Black Soap, essential oils, the highly valued argan oil, and many others. These treatments reflect current philosophy, a global approach towards beauty based on balance and nature, all in order to find the perfect harmony between the body and the mind. These precious treatments marry together the wisdom of Moroccan ancestral tradition with the knowledge of the modern notions of aromatherapy and phytotherapy.
Morocco is the first African country to provide thalassotherapy in Casablanca. Since the 1970s, Morocco has promoted its wellness and fitness industry with the hopes of developing its preferential tourism. In 2005, six fully operational thalassotherapy centers, lining 3,600 km of the Moroccan shoreline, opened its doors to those seeking health and advanced well-being. In 2006, the first spas appeared.
Indeed, we have followed the evolution of thalassotherapy, which has given way to spas with a penchant for wellness. It was in response to the demands of an international clientele, as well as for purely economic reasons, that the “thalasso” has been abandoned in favor of recreational and exotic spas.
In 2007, close to 14 spa centers opened in Casablanca alone, not to mention numerous luxury hotels in Marrakech, Agadir, Essaouira, Fès, Meknès, Tanger, Essaidia and other cities, which will in turn see the emergence of spa centers. In 2008, all hotels, the Riads, boutique hotels and even business hotels jump at the spa trend. The future is being written as we speak and it is leaning towards spas centered on service and wellness.
The Moroccan Spa is going to distinguish itself by its oriental ambiance, its superb service and its own unique identity. In order to face this challenge, Morocco has created a spa academy in Casablanca to cater to this growing industry that is in need of a qualified workforce. The existing schools in Morocco do not provide qualified spa training.
Morocco is petitioning international experts to provide the hotel and tourism developers the guidance necessary for the realization of the 21st century spas that the country needs in order to satisfy its clientele. Moroccan clientele in 2010 is predicted to reach 10 million tourists.
Recently, an association created under the name “A-SPA & Wellness – Maroc” is going to provide structure to this sector, with the objective of improving its existence. Periodical seminars will be scheduled and predetermined with the collaboration of international experts in order to properly inform and train personnel. Annual events have also been programmed to inform and to train industry professionals. Some of these events include an event in February at the Hotel Spa Congress in Morocco, the Festival of Beauty and Well-being in May, and other events focusing on anti-aging and medical tourism.
Majda Berrada is founder of the Moroccan Spa Association and specializes in the sector of the well-being after studying Communication and Management with the Academy of higher management training. She is president of Maguy Work, a corporate communication and organizer of events in Casablanca, Morocco. Berrada is also a researcher and expert in the field of spa, beauty and wellness. In addition, she is also the president of A-Spa-Morocco and vice president of the International Academy Spa Hotels, Morocco. For any additional information, please contact Mrs. Majda Berrada at +212 6 66 35 36 42
