Mandara Spa
Introduction
The dynamic changes happening in the world today has brought about modifications in the lifestyle of many individuals. With the increase in the demand, production, and activities of the modern man, his or her lifestyle and perception of life has also been changed. The changes in lifestyle have contributed to stress factors of many individuals. With this, many are in their quest to find ways on how to relieve their stress, to invigorate, preserve and relax themselves, and be able to adapt to changes happening in the society.
The modern times have changed in so many ways, including the perceptions of humans on relaxation and rejuvenation. With this, many spas and massage centers were established to answer the needs of aching muscles and stressed bodies. The term “spa” has already been around for many centuries, but has given more emphasis in the modern times, due to the increase for its need and demand.
The modern spa is descended from the ancient practice of bathing in hot springs and mineral waters, and dates at least to the Babylonian and Greek times. Some say the origin of the word “spa” comes from the Belgian town of Spa, known since Roman times for its baths, and speculate that the town was so prominent, that the very word spa became synonymous in the English language with “a place to restored and pampered”. Others say that it may be an acronym for the Latin phrase “sanitas per aquas”, which means, “healing through water” (2006). With the healing and rejuvenating services rendered by spas, its importance now lies in the demand for its establishment in certain areas, and the attraction of certain individuals.
This paper intends to discuss the effectiveness of Mandara Spa through attracting British peoples to the leisure activities provided by the company. It will also assess if the company should be using British policies and management in the provision of its leisure activities. This will be done through a detailed analysis of the two cultures, namely the British culture and the Asian culture, particularly the Hinduism, where the origins of Mandara Spa was based upon.
Comparison of Two Cultures
Hinduism
Hinduism is a religion that originated on the Indian subcontinent, and encompasses many religious beliefs, traditions, practices, and denominations. It centers on a variety of practices that are meant to help one experience the Divinity that is everywhere and realize the true nature of the Self. It is being practiced in other countries, including Nepal, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia. This religion originated in India, and focuses on self-improvement with the ultimate aim of attaining personal spiritual experience (2006).
Sanskrit, meaning “cultured or refined”, the classical language of Hinduism, is the oldest and the most systematic language in the world. The vastness, the versatility, and the power of its expression can be appreciated by the fact that Sanskrit has 65 words to describe various forms of earth, 67 words for water, and over 250 words to describe rainfall. Sanskrit was a complete success and thus, became the language of all cultured people in India and in countries under Indian influence. All scientific, philosophical, and historical works were hereafter written in this language, and important texts existing in other languages were even translated and adapted into Sanskrit. For this reason, very few ancient literary, religious, or philosophical documents were being translated into other languages. Its complete volume of literature is immense, and remains largely unexplored (2006).
In relation to its rituals and practices, Hinduism greatly gives particular importance and attention to meditation, bathing and prayer. Spiritual practices are being commenced when the person has had his or her bath or washing the hands and the face before worshipping. Meditation begins with chanting and singing hymns. Silence is beneficial and essential for Hinduism rituals to increase one’s spiritual progress. In addition, meditation increases one’s vitality, strengthens one’s intelligence, enhances one’s beauty and promotes mental clarity and improvement of health. Through meditation, patience and fortitude is acquired to face the problems in life (2006)
British Culture
It has been reported that the culture of United Kingdom is rich and varied, and has been influential on culture on a worldwide scale ( 2006). It is a European state, with many cultural links with its former colonies, particularly those that use the English language or the Anglosphere. Considerable contributions to British culture have been made over the last half-century by immigrants from the Indian Subcontinent and the West Indies, and the origins of the United Kingdom as a political union of formerly independent states has resulted in the preservation of distinctive cultures in each of the home nations (’ 2006).
Today, United Kingdom is one of the most secularized states in the world, being traditionally a Christian country, with two of the Home nations having official faiths as Anglicanism, Presbytarianism, Anglican Church in Wales, and Anglican Church of Ireland. Other religions include Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Judaism, and Buddhism ( 2006). The United Kingdom’s main language is English and the de facto official language, spoken mono-lingually by an estimated 95% of the whole population (2006).
During their free or spare time, British people spend their weekends with their families. Saturdays are for shopping, and Sundays are for worship and rest. It has been reported that British people enjoy various indoor and outdoor activities, where statistics discovered that they spend about 45% of their free time watching television, 24% of their free time socializing, 22-23% on sports and hobbies, and 10% on other activities, and other popular leisure activities are listening to the radio, listening to pre-recorded music, reading, do-it-yourself, gardening, eating out and going to the cinema ( 2006).
It is evident that the two cultures are very different from each other, in terms of language, religion, beliefs and practices. It can be seen that the practices and beliefs of Hinduism are more traditional compared to the British culture. In essence, the practices of Hinduism are more in-touched with nature and with “Divinity”, while British practices are more involved with technology and modernism. Although both cultures are based on the religious aspects and historical aspects of its development, both cultures have influenced its followers separately and differently. In this regard, it would be easier for Mandara Spa associates to introduce their products and services to the British public.
Features of Mandara Spa
It has been reported that the name Mandara comes from an ancient Sanskrit legend about the god’s quest to find the elixir of immortality and eternal youth, and with this, Mandara Spa has embraced the legend with unique and exotic spa treatments that reflect the beauty, spirit and traditions of those ancient times and the soul and ritual of Asian culture (2006). According to the legend, ten stages of destruction have been sent by the gods, and the means by which these can be overcome is through the magical elixir. The legend tells that the Mandara Giri or the sacred mountain from which the water of life flows, is the place where one can find the magical elixir, with the power to keep one young forever ( 2006). The treatments in Mandara Spa cannot promise immortality, but experiencing its treatments, one can feel radiant and revitalized, similar to the feeling of living forever (2006).
Mandara Spa offers 300 different treatments throughout the world, in which the menu at each spa is suited to that specific resort’s theme, design and clients. Its philosophy is to have a three-part menu, incorporating one-third Balinese treatments in keeping with the roots in which Mandara was found, one-third traditional and classic techniques stemming from Europe or Asia, and one-third indigenous or native to the land in which the specific spa is located. Although the menus may differ from location to location, what the spas all have in common is an emphasis on beauty, rejuvenation and a uniquely indulgent and exotic experience with and East-West flavor (2006).
Clients can choose from a variety of treatments including massages, facials, body treatments, ayurvedic treatments and salon services. If the client chooses to avail of Mandara Spa’s massage then he or she can choose from different kinds of massages, including the Mandara Massage, the Balinese Massage, the Thai Massage, the Swedish Massage, the Aromatherapy Massage, the Deep Tissue Massage, the Shiatsu Massage, the Mother-To-Be Massage and Body Treatment, and the In-Room Massages. Clients can also choose from a variety of facial treatments, namely, Anti-Aging Facials, Micro-Dermabrasion, Deep Cleansing Facials, Revitalizing Facials, Rejuvenating Facials, Aromatherapy Facials, Whitening Facials, Hydration Facials, Exfoliant Facials, Men’s Facials, and other facials including seaweed, collagen, and French caviar ( 2006).
Body treatments include Clay Body Mask, Thalasso Slimming, Dead Sea Salt Scrub, Tropical Body Polish, Javanese Lulur, Balinese Boreh, and other body treatments such as mud body masks, seaweed or marine masks, scrubs employing coconut or coffee, antioxidant green tea wraps, herbal wraps, masks designed to soothe sunburned skin, self-tanning treatments, paraffin treatments for hands and feet and hair wraps. In addition, ayurvedic treatments are also available, such as Ayurvedic Facials and Shirodhara Treatments. Mandara Spa also offers salon services, including hair, nail and makeup services, with herbal and mineral conditioning wraps for the hair, paraffin treatments for the hands and feet, and manicures and pedicures with massage (2006).
To Attract or not to Attract British People?
The country chosen is Indonesia because this is where the roots of Mandara Spa where found. As a country with enormous natural and cultural wealth, Indonesia offers a myriad of tourism spots to explore and enjoy. The primary choice for leisure travel destination site is Bali, a place of timeless beauty and rich culture and ceremonies. In addition, beaches in Bali also offer a wonderful scenery, with excellent hotels and restaurants available all over the island, being ideal for water sports, such as diving, snorkeling and surfing. Moreover, culture enthusiasts can visit museums in Bali or Jakarta or watch some of the numerous cultural performances. Bali also offers a variety of traditional shows, where Ubud is, which is the art center of the island. Moreover, all provinces of the archipelago have their own unique places of interest, such as Medan in North Sumatra, South Kalimantan, and Bunaken Island in North Sulawesi (2000).
From this information, the company can attract British tourists because based on the leisure activities of British peoples discussed previously, they focus on doing technology-related activities during their free time. If Mandara Spa will be able to introduce their products and services to the British peoples, then this offer can be grabbed by the British to implement changes in their lifestyles. Because British people work five days a week, relaxing in Mandara Spa can be beneficial to them. They can take the chance to have time for themselves, avail of the Spa’s services, and relax.
Moreover, they use their free time, or their weekends to travel to different places, such as to Indonesia. This would give them the chance to experience a new culture, which would help them become open to the unique and creative cultures in Asia. This opportunity would also enable them to become more cultural relative and sensitive, and lessen the tendency for discrimination and racism. In addition, through the Mandara Spa, interaction between two different cultures can happen, which would help each to recognize the uniqueness of each.
Furthermore, Mandara Spa can promote their excellent services and features that would give the company the chance to establish their brand identity and obtain the loyalty of their customers. With their efficient and excellent services, they can attract the British market because, like all consumers, they need pampering and care, in relation to the high demand of their work and professions. In addition, the company can attract a new market, which would help them establish their reputation internationally.
Knowing that United Kingdom is one of the most influential nations in the world, successfully attracting their market would be one great achievement for any company. If Mandara Spa will be able to achieve attracting the British market or even establish a new branch in United Kingdom, then it can be deduced that Mandara Spa has now attained its goal of expansion and establishing its reputation internationally. If this happens, then Mandara Spa can now be regarded as one of the most successful spas in the whole world.
These would not only give financial stability to all the employees of the company, but will also help the employees and the company be regarded and recognized as having a “world-class” service and talents.
To Use or Not to Use British Management?
In order to assess whether Mandara Spa should implement the use of British management in its company, it is best to assess first the British management itself. According to the recent survey, managers should focus more in developing their teams, and employees are more productive only because they are working longer hours ( 2005). It also suggests that employees achieve more than they used to because there is less hands-on-management to hold them back, management style is bureaucratic, hindering the natural enthusiasm of their workers (2005).
With these incapacities, it would not be necessary to implement British management to the Mandara Spa. This is because the nature of the services rendered by Mandara Spa in Asian countries is completely different from the nature of job positions in the United Kingdom. The type of management implemented in the United Kingdom is not applicable in the management of the spa.
Given the situation that Mandara Spa in Asian and South American countries will be aimed only at attracting British customers and tourists, it is very evident that British management is not relevant and needed. However, given the situation that Mandara Spa will establish its own branch in the United Kingdom, similarly, British management is also not applicable. This is because foreign individuals, including British citizens seek the services of the company for not only relaxation and rejuvenation itself, but also to experience the uniqueness of another culture. Through the facilities and services of Mandara Spa, British clients will be able to experience revitalization and rejuvenation, with a touch of the Hindu culture and belief. In addition, British citizens or any other citizens from other countries seek the services of Mandara Spa to experience the art of massage, the Asian way, and all the care and attention that goes with it, in contrast with the Western or European approach.
If ever, British management will be applied to the company, then the essence of the company, being named Mandara Spa will be gone. The aim for Mandara Spa is to retain its uniqueness and authenticity in its services and features, which is truly exudes its Asian influence. Aside from the products and services Mandara Spa offers, it also aims to promote its Asian influence and culture to many peoples around the world. If British management will be implemented in the company, then the tendency is of promoting the Asian culture in the United Kingdom will not be attained. Retaining the present management of Mandara Spa would enable the company to render its services, to attain loyalty from its clients and customers, and to promote the Asian culture.
Conclusion
The difference in the two cultures discussed is very evident, as being from both different places and each having different histories. The Eastern culture of Hinduism shows its influence being on more inclined to the quest for ‘divinity’ and tradition, while the Western culture of the United Kingdom is more inclined in modernity and technology. These differences enable the two culture to become unique from one another, so its fusion due to its interaction can result to the combination of both.
Through the Mandara Spa, the Asian culture can be introduced to the British market, if ever it pursues in doing so. It is beneficial for the company to attract the British market because considering the United Kingdom to be one of the greatest markets to participate in trade in, introducing the services rendered by Mandara Spa would be similar to saying introducing its services to the world. In addition, Mandara Spa can take this opportunity to display their culture to the British community. However, the company must still be able to preserve their internal management to make sure that the cultural touch and influence would always be present.
Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com
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