Arch. Georgi Raychev and Anton Rusimov, managers of Medical Depot R&K LTD: SPA centers have to reflect the level of knowledge and quality of services.

There are still quite a number of lapses when it comes to designing and developing SPA centers in Bulgaria, the two managers say.

SPA is not only about massage, relaxation procedures, volcanic stone massage and white towels. SPA is a philosophy, lifestyle, culture, ability of both body and mind to relax. In order to design a truly quality and properly functioning center, you need a lot of experience, knowledge, contemporary technology and last but not least - a clear and focused concept. It is in fact a difficult task and if you wish this to become a profitable investment, you have to become familiar with a number of details and peculiarities about SPA projects that are present in all development stages- starting with the initial project, going through the construction and furnishing processes and reaching for the maintenance. One of the targets which are set by Medical depot R&K LTD is to have a clear vision about the successful completion of a SPA center is The latter has been doing business in Bulgaria for 20 years and the main activity of the company involves the import and maintenance of medical and dental products. In addition, the firm also deals with the entire process of design and construction of medical and dental clinics. Medical depot R&K LTD has recently began to import exclusive SPA products and technical equipment for SPA centers; it carries out complete project and consultant services. The managers - Anton Rusimov and Arch. Georgi Raychev- unveil the basic steps of the SPA center development process for Index Imoti Magazine. They point out the flaws in the constructed centers in Bulgaria and emphasize on the factors that investors should bear in mind when they plan to develop a SPA center.

In the capacity of a company which imports luxury technical equipment and SPA accessories, can you comment on this particular industry in Bulgaria?
Anton Rusimov: SPA in Bulgaria means trend. Bulgarians seem to like new, trendy things, they are foppish. The thermal water treatments have been popular since ancient times - Sanus Per Aquam is a Roman epigram. Nowadays, "SPA" integrates a number of different massages- Indian, Chinese etc - which were considered an art. Today these have become a real industry.
Our company has been importing medical equipment for more than 20 years. In the last 2-3 years we have been keeping track of the commercial exhibitions and trends in the SPA industry development. Our observations show that Bulgarians put a lot of money into this sector, but they don’t do preliminary researches and do not have a clear concept for the accomplishment of their projects. We provide design, furnishings and consultations throughout the entire SPA development process.

Which are the most important highlights that developers have to concentrate on?
Arch Raychev: Every project is unique and requires a different approach. Investors, however, should also have a clear idea and philosophy about the accomplishment process. SPA center developments start with the choice of strategic location. Next, you have to give the reasons why you have decided to develop this center on the particular plot you have chosen; you should know whether it will be part of a hotel or a single unit. Researches are quite essential as there are more than 40 types of SPA procedures and some regional specifications determine precisely the function of a SPA center.
This is what determines the efficiency of the site or the maximum profits that can be obtained. Some major factors which determine the economic fate of a scheme are choice of architect, must-have researches of clientele and definition of the target group. Another important detail is the division of spaces to two groups: asocial and social i.e. places where you relax on your own and where you do the same together with other people. Our concept is to consult investors through the whole investment process and clearly define all advantages and disadvantages of projects. Investing in SPA centers should be supported by precursory works- draft project, project, furnishings, design and even choice of suitable garments. This would minimize the risk of poor returns.
Anton Rusimov: I would like to make some things clearer: Investors often miss to distinctly define the use and the function of a project. What is more, people often decide that a project should become a SPA center once it is completed. This is wrong and sometimes the very project verifies this. For example, there are no particular rooms for special treatment procedures. Such disparities stand in the way of the proper operation of a future SPA center.

What are the major lapses in Bulgarian SPA centers?
A. Rusimov: As a result of our precursory researches we have found out that there are still quite a number of flaws with the development and equipment of SPA centres. Sometimes centers are developed in basements and the technical equipment, sanitation and the attitude of the staff may not be of proper quality. Sometimes investors put emphasis on expensive designer concepts, but they miss the functionality and convenience aspects. Quite often designer decisions are implemented by means of using materials of poor quality. This leads to wear and tear processes while design remains somehow out of touch with hygiene requirements.
Being a company with strong traditions we have chosen certain brands that have made good names throughout the world. PASTELLI (Italy) is one of them. Founded in 1929 the company is into producing special clothing for medicine and SPA. The clothing meets the respective functional and sanitation requirements. The design process and testing of every single fabric takes up at least one year. The processing of fabrics is done with the use of special chemical agents developed by DuPont.
We put the next emphasis on hygiene - extremely important for the successful operation of a SPA center. The mattresses should have exact shape, they have to be ergonomic and made of special leather which does not absorb liquids and is easy to clean and disinfect. The wooden work, too, has to have certain properties - not to swell and not to keep bacteria and humidity. We rely on bespoke furniture- Italian, German and Chinese. The Chinese products that we offer have high quality (not the quality we usually associate Chinese products with) like the Asian SPA culture and clients can really appreciate these things.
A quality SPA center should provide suitable literature to help clients really understand the SPA process.
Another important element of a properly functioning SPA center is that treatments have to be preceded by a medical examination, which, however, is done in Bulgaria on rare occasions. Everyone who will give SPA treatment should be informed about the physical condition of clients so that to avoid detrimental effects.
We believe that when we stand behind a product, it is really quality and highly beneficial. SPA centers should reflect the level of knowledge and quality of services.
Arch Raychev: We are one of the few Bulgarian companies which offer advice on price policy as well. For example, a solarium device uses lamps which remain effective for some time. The lamps are consumer goods so it is our job to define their life so that they are disbursable and profitable.
We have put all our efforts into providing a set of services. If the whole development process is managed well and investors strive to use services like those that our company offers then the risk is lower. Although investors might want to purchase second-hand appliances, they have to be consulted. Clients usually visit centers with poor equipment only once. Then, they search for better places to go to. Atmosphere, hygiene, discipline are all important factors which contribute for a perfect stay not only at a hotel, but at a SPA center as well.
The uniqueness of developing a SPA center lays in special commissions.