Planet Beach Contempo Spas (US) Franchise Opens in Egypt

26 Aug 2010 - Planet Beach Contempo Spas has opened its first of several automated day spa franchises in Cairo, Egypt, catering to increased demand for affordable day spa and relaxation services in Africa and the Middle East.

Cairo Franchise Owner Ibraham Fifhier has plans to open 14 additional Planet Beach locations in Egypt over the next three years.

SpaFinder.com, a global directory, currently lists only 22 day spas in Africa and 24 in the Middle East. Changing economies have given rise to a larger middle and upper class populations in both regions with more disposable income. This has generated more demand for day spa services, creating potentially lucrative markets.

The Contempo Spa is designed specifically for customers juggling family, work, and social obligations who also desire a convenient and affordable way to relax. A Planet Beach Contempo Spa is a franchised twist on a traditional day spa; members have unlimited access to automated day spa services in private rooms and treatments for a modest monthly membership fee.

"Stress affects everyone in the world and the need for relaxation is global," said Shannel Abadie, Planet Beach's Director of International Spa Performance. "The Planet Beach Contempo Spa concept is especially attractive to customers, allowing them unlimited massages, facials, teeth whitening treatments and sauna visits for a low monthly fee. Specifically, in this region, more and more Egyptian women are now working outside the home and have a greater desire for spa and relaxation services."

Treatments are offered in private rooms and are automated services, allowing women to enjoy relaxation and rejuvenation in solitude and without the need of a "hands on" attendant. This also provides the Cairo Planet Beach Franchise with a competitive advantage over traditional day spas in the region by offering spa treatments at a fraction of the cost and with greater convenience.

The franchise is in the New Cairo area, and several local celebrities attended an invitation-only pre-grand opening event. Egypt's first Contempo Spa opened for business on July 15.

Expansion to Egypt and other countries in the region shows the strength and global appeal of the Planet Beach Contempo Spa brand. "It is hugely important," Abadie says. "Getting our concept out there in up and coming markets builds momentum. More people in more cultures learn about what we do. "Stress is global and everyone has the same desire for relaxation," she says.