In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on inclusivity in all aspects of society, and the spa industry is no exception. An inclusive spa is one that is designed to be accessible and welcoming to people of all backgrounds, regardless of their age, gender, race, ability, or sexual orientation. In this blog post, we will discuss what an inclusive spa is and why it is important.
What is an inclusive spa?
An inclusive spa is one that is designed to provide a comfortable and welcoming environment for all guests, regardless of their background. This means that the spa must be accessible to people with disabilities, provide a safe space for Queer individuals, and be culturally sensitive to the needs of people from diverse backgrounds.
An inclusive spa will typically have a range of treatments and services that are tailored to the needs of different guests. For example, an inclusive spa might would offer treatments for everybody, despite their abilities, sex or gender, and skin colour.
This may sound like a normal thing that should be happening in all spas, however this is actually a radical concept within the beauty industry; one of the only industries that we can be openly denying people based on skin colour, hair texture, and sex and gender without criticism or kickback by the community or society.
Why are inclusive spas important?
Inclusive spas are important because they provide a safe and welcoming environment for all guests. They allow people from diverse backgrounds to feel comfortable and valued, which can have a positive impact on their mental and physical well-being.
Inclusive spas also help to promote diversity and equality in the spa industry. By catering to a wide range of guests, inclusive spas can help to break down stereotypes and promote a more inclusive and accepting society.
In addition, inclusive spas can be good for business. By catering to a diverse range of guests, spas can tap into new markets and increase their customer base. They can also build a strong reputation as a spa that values diversity and inclusivity, which can attract new guests and help to retain existing ones.
How can spas become more inclusive?
To become more inclusive, spas can take a number of steps. Firstly, they can ensure that their facilities are accessible to disabled people, both physically and mentally. Prioritizing furthering education and a commitment to be expanding and making changes to include disabled people is important which may include hiring a disability business consultant such as Open Floor Consulting in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Spas can also train their staff to be more culturally sensitive and aware of the needs of guests from diverse backgrounds. This might involve providing diversity and inclusion training, or ensuring that staff members are aware of cultural practices and customs that might be important to guests. Other things would be to ensure staff members are skilled and educated to be able to offer services to everybody, despite their hair texture or needs. Additionally, policies and procedures to protect and assist your employees that are Black, Indiginious, and people of colour.
Finally, spas can tailor their treatments and services to the needs of different guests. This might involve offering treatments specifically designed or having alternative treatments that will be better for disabled people if they can't go on a pedicure stand or need silence, Black people that need curly hair treatments, People of colour that need someone with specialized education to help them with specific skin concerns, or having educated staff to perform genital waxes on all sexes of people.
In conclusion, inclusive spas are important because they provide a safe and welcoming environment for all guests. By promoting diversity and equality in the spa industry, inclusive spas can help to break down stereotypes and promote a more inclusive and accepting society.
To become more inclusive, spas can take a range of steps, from ensuring that their facilities are accessible to training staff to be more culturally sensitive. By embracing inclusivity, spas can create a better experience for all guests and build a strong reputation as a spa that values diversity and inclusivity.
For more information and to take action steps towards a more inclusive beauty practice you can contact Tori Yeomans at tori@pridebeautylounge.com or Open Floor Consulting @openfloorconsulting