Letters 4 2014
GWI plans have just been revealed (left), but Bin Ali is calling for global representation
GLOBAL ACTION NEEDED TO PROMOTE WELLNESS: A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT Talal Bin Ali, founder and president, Enaya Care International
I’ve been in the spa and salon business for nine years, but my passion for holistic wellness was born in India in 2010. I spent a few weeks at a nature cure resort consuming healthy food, exercising and having massages. It was a life-changing experience as I got rid of my obesity, diabetic and high blood pressure problems. My understanding of wellness
matured. I realised that it’s about preventing sickness and that wellness should be embraced by every nation and delivered to everyone as a basic human right. I’ve just returned from the Global
Spa & Wellness Summit (GSWS) and I was happy to hear about the Global Wellness Institute (GWI) – the organisation that’s been set up to drive wellness tourism and the spa industry forward (see p94). It’s a great starting point, but more must be done to get the message out to the masses. I come from a background of working with global corporations
such as Unilever and have witnessed fi rst hand how changes can happen if a clear strategy and action plan is put in place. I successfully lobbied at G8 level to fi ght against counterfeit products and fruitful results came from aligning interests. The GWI needs to do the same – lobby at UN and G20 levels – and fast. I have off ered my assistance as it’s my true vision to take wellness and the awareness of it global. I admire the GSWS team for
creating an international community which has wellness as a common interest. Although I do think they lack true global representation, as there’s not much participation from the African nations or the GCC region either at the summit or on the board. This does leave me with doubts. But at the same time, I’m also hopeful that the GWI will be the light at the end of the tunnel.
Contact Talal Bin Ali Twitter: @TalalMBinali Email:
talal.binal@
enayacare.com
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RIGHT TO REPLY
Susie Ellis, chairman & CEO, Global Wellness Institute
Global representation is a top priority for the Global Spa & Wellness Summit and is core to its DNA, as evidenced by the 400 people from 45 countries that attended our recent conference in Morocco. As part of our new identity – the Global Wellness Institute™ – we expect even more opportunity to diversify our board as well as future executive functions and committees. Additionally, we’re exploring strategic
alliances and partnerships with organisa- tions such as the World Travel & Tourism Council, the UNWTO and the World Economic Forum, as well as several multi-national corporations that are eager to both get involved in the work that we do, as well as to access the research and information for which our organisation is now known. We’re grateful for the interest and generous support of forward-thinking companies like Enaya Care and are committed to expanding our global reach and public sector initiatives as we build our resources and necessary infrastructure.
Contact Susie Ellis Email:
susie.ellis@globalwellnessinstitute.com Tel: +1 212 716 1212
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