BISA History
BISA was started in the year 2000 by a team of spa professionals who felt that there was a need to set quality standards in this industry. The first President was Mrs Joan Thornycroft who has a lifetime of experience in the spa and beauty education field and felt that BISA could make a positive contribution to this sector. Robert Czik was also a founder member, who shared this vision and felt that BISA could play a role in preserving the European water culture by incorporating this topic into a wider educational programme. BISA stands for the British International Spa Association and, as the name implies, the mission includes the development of international relationships in order to promote better education and standards within the industry.
From humble beginnings the BISA group developed and new members were attracted to the association. The first BISA congress was held in 2002 at the Beardmore Hotel in Glasgow with Ian Wallace being the chair. The event was well-supported and generated enthusiasm and optimism for the future of this enterprise. Viscount Thurso, who is a Member of Parliament joined this event and opened the conference. Lord Thurso, who is now the President of BISA, shows a keen interest in its activities. The next landmark in developing an international outlook was the BISA conference in Bad Sulza in Germany. This event was held at the Toskana Thermae Spa and was hosted by its Director Mrs Marion Schneider. This event had an academic and cultural flavour and was well attended and helped BISA expand its influence.
Whilst the international membership was growing under the stewardship of Alan Jenner, the BISA education committee was developing a spa education system that will forge a new spa qualification. Several key educationalists such as Delvis Bona, Jo Wacket, Rita Sharkey and Mrs Joan Thornycroft were involved in the creation of the BISA education system. Another relevant development in the BISA history was the appointment of BISA as the representative of CIDESCO in the UK.
By now the BISA congress had became a focal point where members would meet and exchange ideas. In 2006 the BISA conference was hosted by Mr Michael Tabona at the Fortina Spa in Malta. The minister of tourism hailed the event as a “positive development for tourism development in Malta”. The 2008 event in Baden-Baden brought a diverse range of spa professionals together and the BISA accreditation system introduced by Dr Bruce Osborne several years ago was now relaunched under a new plan under the leadership of Berni Hawkins.
BISA has just announced its recent venture into the far east by launching the BISA Japan branch with Mr Matsumoto being the first President.