Dr Teresita de las Cagigas Reig. Head of the Department of Life Quality & Tourism Medical Services at Cubanacan Tourism & Health Company
<b> Q- What’s life quality actually all about in the first place? </b>
A- Life quality is a hard-to-define concept because it’s an abstract notion ingrained in each and every person that depends on the influence of the environment on that person, society, culture and values. Its basic dimensions, however, have to do with three aspects which are the physical, affective and social elements.
<b> Q- What does Cubanacan Tourism & Health offer to customers when it comes to life quality? </b>
A- What we really want to convey is the wellbeing of the human body, mind and soul. We try to keep a balance among those three elements that make up the so-called triangle of life. So, when tourists come to Cuba, they can not only reach out for leisure, fun and sun-and-sand, but also for relaxation and wellbeing.
<b> Q- What kind of spa has Cuba preferentially developed? </b>
A- The origin of the word spa comes from the Latin phrase Solus Per Aqua, that means health through water or health by means of water. The world’s first spa was built in Belgium and used to offer therapeutic treatments based on healing mineral waters. Little by little, the concept began to expand and an array of new services was added for the sake of customers’ relaxations and wellbeing. There are now different types of spas, like the ones using medicinal and mineral waters, sport spas, spa clubs, spa days and many others. Here in Cuba, we’re giving a mighty boost to the development of both spa days and spa clubs, as well as to those resorts that combine spa and beach. The Cubanacan Tourism & Health Company is interested in developing centers like these that must be up to par with world standards. As a matter of fact, it’s commonplace now to find hotels outfitted with this kind of spa service.
<b> Q- How many spas does your company have? </b>
A- The Commodore Spa Club and the Tarara Spa, both in Havana. There’re plans in the offing to build a third one in the Hemingway Marina.
<b> Q- What about Varadero? </b>
A- Well, in Varadero, we have the Plaza America Spa Club and there’s a project in the works to install one at the Bella Costa Hotel. We also provide some kind of spa service in other lodging facilities there.
<b> Q- What about the other tourist circuits, as well? </b>
A- Our plans comprise a first stage for the years 2005 and 2006, plus expansion plans for Cienfuegos and Trinidad, two cities that receive a good deal of visitors, as well as Guardalavaca in the eastern province of Holguin.
<b> Q- What kind of service do they offer? </b>
A- Oh, there’re varied services such as hydrating facial treatment, anti-aging and anti-cellulite treatments, weight loss procedures, hydrotherapy, digital puncture, reflexology, mud therapy and lymphatic drainage techniques, among others. We’re working on the basis of adding more services to that list to meet the needs of customers. This is a budding modality in Cuba that’s beginning to catch on among tourists.
<b> Q- What about the technological equipment? </b>
A- It’s all cutting-edge technology, the most advanced high-tech systems in the world. We’ve got equipment for facial treatments that make people look remarkably younger. But above all, we count on a team of top-notch, hardworking experts and employees.
<b> Q- What tells the service you offer from others? </b>
A- Customization is the name of game. In addition to routine checkups conducted in this center, we also offer tailor-made services to those customers who suffer from specific ailments or disorders. And those programs are adjusted to their needs and demands.
