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the spa at talking stick prides itself on being an experience destination, taking cues from both the casino and the surrounding natural wonders.
reaching the locals
Even though the weather in Phoenix is beautiful year-round,
tourism tends to dry up in the summer. The summer months
tend to get so hot, that not many are willing to visit the desert.
“The heat in the summer is a challenge to all who work
and live in Arizona, but it is also a time for opportunity,”
enthuses Kramer. Every summer Talking Stick caters to locals
with a “Luxury for Locals” promotion, which includes deep
discounts on the spa’s most luxurious treatments. Says
Kramer of the promotion, “It is our way to say thank you to
our locals, plus it keeps our team busy and that’s always a
great thing!”
Because of the competition for local clientele, many spas
offer special rates for Arizona residents. Alvadora Spa at Royal
Palms Resort and Spa offers 20 percent off for Arizona
residents Monday through Thursday, year-round, and The
Running Water Spa at Scottsdale Camelback Resort maintains
a partnership with Groupon to keep top of mind to locals.
“We also maximize our booking software to reach our past
spa guests,” adds Battaglia. “Additionally, we are building a
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new incentive program for guests and offer ‘bounce back’
deals during the heat of the summer. Locals keep our business
going and they love a good summer deal.”
large talent Pool
Despite the competition for local and visiting customers, the
spas in the Phoenix area have the benefit of hiring from a
large talent pool of spa professionals.
“We are blessed with a great, experienced team, which is
one of the biggest benefits of being in one of the country’s
top spa towns,” notes Huddleson.
ISPA’s 2017 Spa Industry Study found that there are over
40,000 open positions in the American spa market. As the
industry grows, talented spa professionals are in high demand,
a trend that Phoenix-area spas are certainly feeling.
“Within the last two years, we have had to grow our
service provider list by more than double,” exclaims Battaglia.
“Fortunately,” she adds, “Arizona is a hub for spa personnel,
and we have been extremely successful in recruiting and
retaining the right people for our culture.” n