ITC CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY WITH DR. MAY THEN

From a business and hospitality background, Dr. May Then Su Hui ventured into the beauty and wellness industry in 1996 in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, and went on to obtain a PhD in Aesthetic Medical Science. With her expertise within the field, she has opened multiple spas and clinics in Kota Kinabalu and Kuching. 

Her recent venture has been the launch of her renowned Borneo-branded spa – Attiya Spa in Kuching and Kota Kinabalu in 2019 and 2020 respectively. She is currently the President of SASPAR (Sarawak Association of Spa Reflexology & Wellness Operators) and aids government bodies in the implementation of Spa Industry SOPs (Standard Operating Procedure). 

For this International Women’s Day, Dr. May shares with us the challenges she faced during the pandemic, and how she adapted to the changing situation within the industry to emerge stronger.

The COVID-19 pandemic did not stop me, instead it made me stronger. The long haul of this pandemic has taught me to learn to slow down and appreciate life in many colours and aspects.

Praise God, I am healthy.

By the grace of God, I managed to successfully open another Attiya branch in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah in the midst of the pandemic, in August 2020.

Another achievement is the setting up of SASPAR ( Sarawak Association of Spa, Reflexology and Wellness Operators) with this we have brought our industry to another level and recognition in Sarawak.

It was not easy at all for us. Our industry is always the first to close and the last to be allowed to open. Throughout these past three years, unfortunately we were shut for 16 months in total. Meanwhile, we learned about the COVID situation, we helped our local community in cutting PPEs and were training our staff, practising high standards of SOP, and preparing ourselves for the reopening.

True enough, after the reopening on 1 October 2021, many customers returned to us and soon more and more people came to know about the “Attiya Strict SOP”.

That’s how we gained confidence from customers and in January, Attiya Spa Kuching expanded another new wing and was declared open by our YBhg Dato Sri Hj Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Sarawak together with YBhg. Datin Sri Hjh Zuraini Abdul Jabbar.

I am honoured to be working with Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC) as we journeyed together towards strengthening Islamic Tourism in Malaysia. I was invited by ITC to be one of the panel speakers during the “World Islamic Tourism Conference” in November 2021 to share about the needs and importance of spa and wellness industry at present and future. I’m also happy to be able to share my insights and experiences on the development of Muslim-Friendly standards for Malaysia.

Moving forward, I would love to continue working with ITC to strengthen the spa industry with a clean and helpful image and continue to grow the industry in other markets.

Wellness, spa and massage therapy play a very important role in our present society, no other ways of treatment can replace the human touch when a person needs to calm down and relax the mind, body and soul.

Wishing everyone continue to stay strong and healthy during this COVID era, there’s always a rainbow and sunshine after a stormy weather.