Zulal Wellness Resort to enhance wellbeing concept

Zulal Wellness Resort, Qatar’s upcoming health & wellness focus project by Msheireb Properties and Chiva-Som, is set to open its doors this year.

 

The resort will be the first one to feature Traditional Arabic and Islamic Medicine practices, and to incorporate family wellness part, and will be engaged in boosting sustainable approach to resort, contributing to local eco-systems  through a variety of projects.

 

Daniele Vastolo, Zulal Wellness Resort General Manager, speaks to TTN on the purpose of wellness, new wellness practices and Traditional Arabic and Islamic Medicine

 

1. Could you introduce Zulal Wellness Resort to our readers and explain the key concepts and ideas behind this project?

 

Managed by Chiva-Som, a pioneer in global wellness and a leading wellness destination in lifestyle transformation, Zulal Wellness Resort is Msheireb Properties’ latest sustainable development initiative and the first of its kind Wellness Resort in the Middle East region, exclusively in Qatar. 

 

A unique wellbeing haven, Zulal Wellness Resort is Qatar’s largest wellness resort, and the world’s first to blend Traditional Arabic and Islamic Medicine (TAIM) with a holistic approach. Thanks to its exclusive offering, Zulal is expected to be a major wellness tourism driver, bringing the world’s attention to Qatar and the region.

 

Located in Khasooma, a private coastal location to the north of Qatar, Zulal Wellness Resort brings visitors a ‘Luxeclusive’ experience, offering the highest international hospitality and wellness standards, inclusive of local cultures and traditions of the region. Zulal means ‘pure natural water’ in Arabic and is used to reflect the rejuvenating properties of the natural water found in the desert.

 

Spread across 280,000-sq-m, Zulal Wellness Resort offers two distinct yet interconnecting experiences; Zulal Serenity, dedicated to adult guests; and Zulal Discovery, dedicated for families. Adults seeking a private and immersive health and lifestyle reset can access a wide range of therapeutic and lifestyle enhancement treatments based upon traditional Arabic and Islamic wellness principles at Zulal Serenity boasting 60 adults-only suites and villas.

 

Featuring 120 elegant guestrooms and suites, Zulal Discovery enables families to enjoy positive wellness experiences together, inspiring young children and their parents with fun, interactive activities that help them learn more about adopting a healthy lifestyle.

 

Zulal Wellness Resort combines a multimodal approach including outdoor pools and a lagoon suitable for swimming; upscale restaurants and a Demo Kitchen; Health and Wellness Centres with Treatment Rooms, Fitness Pavilion, Pilates Studio, Physiotherapy Suite, Cooking Studio; an Aesthetic Centre; and a ballroom for private and corporate functions.

 

Zulal Wellness Resort offers guests unique services and treatments, which are based upon Islamic wellness principles and use indigenous ingredients to the region. The resort aims to inspire guests with positive and sustainable lifestyle changes, holding the sustainability mission in its DNA.

 

The resort was conceived and inspired by the integration of natural elements, land, sea, and shelter, whilst retaining an inextricable connection with the Qatari landscape. The beauty of Qatar’s heritage can be found throughout the resort, from materials and colour schemes to patterns and textures, all of which are interwoven into the resort.

 

Zulal’s architecture draws heavily from the principle of biophilic design, incorporating natural materials and elements of its coastal desert setting into indoor spaces, from the use of gravel and sand as well as textured concrete paving. The wellness-focused design aims to strengthen guests’ connection to nature and draw on the salubrious effects of the natural world; principles that are known to reduce stress, blood pressure levels and heart rates, whilst increasing creativity and overall wellbeing.

 

2. Zulal Wellness Resort is part of Msheireb Properties – a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation; does it play any part in Qatar Foundation-led projects aimed at implementing the 2030 Qatar National Vision, and how?

 

Zulal Wellness Resort aims to contribute to Qatar’s 2030 National Vision in diversifying the tourism economy, whilst serving as a pioneering wellness destination for guests from around the world. The concept, philosophy and offer of Zulal are designed to serve Qatar National Vision strategy that includes social development, environmental management, modernising the country and preserving its traditions. By improving health and wellness of the population, raising awareness around healthy lifestyle, sustainability, and wellbeing, as well as preserving biodiversity, Zulal will play a role in achieving these goals.

 

Furthermore, Zulal Wellness Resort is committed towards achieving a more sustainable environment in Qatar. Since its inception, the resort believes that personal wellness goes hand-in-hand with environmental wellness. Zulal recognises its responsibility in preserving its destination, as well as its contribution towards securing a greener future for the upcoming generations. Zulal’s commitment to the preservation and afforestation of mangrove environments, in addition to an array of other green initiatives, come as part of its sustainability mission, and in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030 in the Environmental Development pillar.

 

In addition, Zulal Wellness Resort is the first-of-its-kind to introduce the concept of family wellness to its offering, further expanding the holistic approach it adopted. In line with Qatar National Vision 2030 goal of modernizing the country while preserving its traditions, Zulal has taken on a mission of boosting the overall wellbeing by emphasizing the importance of family connections and strengthening them via a multitude of special activities, experts’ guidance and quality retreat time spent by all family members together in an idyllic environment. While a harmonious society can only be built if individual and family wellness are taken in account, Zulal aspires to play a significant role in contributing to the country’s human and social development.

 

3. Where do you place wellness resorts in the modern hospitality landscape, and what is your forecast for this specific sector in the post-pandemic world?

 

Wellness tourism has seen a significant growth in demand over the past few years, specifically in holistic wellness such as for yoga and meditation.

 

The pandemic has further highlighted the importance of wellness and wellbeing in people’s lives and its impact on helping ease its ramifications.

 

I believe that wellness tourism will enjoy a significant boost post the pandemic period with the Health and Wellness sector driving new venues of growth for hospitality destinations from across the globe.

 

4. What is the innovation behind Zulal wellness offer, and what distinguishes it from the already existing wellness resorts in the region?

 

Zulal Wellness Resort is the first holistic wellness-focused resort in Qatar and the region, offering exclusive wellness practices inspired by TAIM, catering for both men and women, and boosting a strong focus on family wellness, being pioneers of bringing this concept to the world.

 

A specially developed menu of Arabic and Mediterranean wellness cuisine, as well as beautiful architecture, and wellbeing services inspired by the local heritage, make it a true showcase of traditional and modern Qatari culture.

 

Zulal Wellness Resort is a sanctuary dedicated to the power of nature, harnessing its beauty, its strengths, and its resources to revive the human body, mind, and spirit, bringing back natural energy to where it belongs.

 

5. What is Traditional Arabic and Islamic Medicine offer and how does it reflect current health and wellness trends?

 

Traditional Arabic and Islamic Medicine reflects an enduring interconnectivity between Islamic medical and Prophetic influences, as well as regional healing practices emerging from specific geographical and cultural origins. The use of TAIM has been recognized and acclaimed around the world, comprising of medicinal herbs, dietary practices, mind-body practices, spiritual healing, and applied therapy.

 

6. Can you share with us some details of your TAIM-inspired wellness offer – how will your treatments, activities, and F&B offer incorporate TAIM?

 

Zulal Wellness Resort tackles TAIM from a holistic approach, offering a myriad of services that are interconnected including special focus on nutrition, fasting, detox, medicinal herbs, fitness, mental health, meditation, as well as women’s health, men’s health, and aging.

 

Through TAIM, Zulal Wellness Resort aspires to support treatment of chronic illnesses including Diabetes, Blood Pressure, Asthma, Obesity, Stress Management, and Fertility (through Hijama).

 

The TAIM offering at Zulal Wellness Resort is unique and inclusive of many areas including:

 

• The House of Wisdom - transporting guests into the ancient mythologies exploring health, philosophy, and science. The unique and relaxing atmosphere at the House of Wisdom, situated on the ground level of Zulal Serenity lobby, is where guests can infuse themselves in ancient healing wisdom, spend time with expert consultants whilst enjoying a TAIM inspired refreshing herbal tea, and reflect on their personal wellness goals.

 

• Holistic Therapies - a pioneering Wellness retreat, holistic services menu, and visiting consultants, as well as a serene environment catering to meditation, yoga, chanting, aromatherapy, sound and music therapy.

 

• Diet and Nutrition – the resort offers Arabic-inspired wellness cuisine; a cleansing retreat focused on fasting, cooking classes, nutrition and TAIM consultations, as well as prophetic and traditional medicinal foods including camel milk, and special herbal blends.

 

• Spiritual Healing - a range of spiritual healing services including connecting with nature, meditation, and family bonding activities. In addition to a dedicated Ramadan retreat, with visiting consultants, spiritual counselors, and prescribed prayers.

 

• Applied Therapies – Zulal guests can enjoy a range of services including physiotherapy, massage, fitness, colon hydrotherapy, spa treatments, Hammam ritual, acupuncture, cupping, as well as an optimal physio-fit retreat.

 

Furthermore, Zulal offers a TAIM inspired pharmacy and a range of retail products including camel milk, essential oils, medicinal herbs, tea blends, and much more, all available in a dedicated Retail Area at the resort.

 

7. Zulal will be a world pioneer in offering TAIM wellness practices. In your opinion, will this approach gain in popularity in the long run, or will remain distinctive to a handful of resorts and very ‘niche’, and only relevant to this region?

 

Traditional Arabic and Islamic Medicine (TAIM) follows a holistic path to wellness that embodies traditional healing practices and herbal remedies with lifestyle guidance in nutrition, movement, and rest. Zulal Wellness Resort is unique in bringing this beautiful ancient philosophy into a contemporary context and are proud to educate guests in the healing modalities of the region.

 

Traditional Arabic Medicine is not only limited to the Middle East region, but also in fact the culmination of Graeco-Roman, Chinese, Persian, and Ayurvedic theories and practices and continues to be practiced in parallel with modern medicine.

 

It is expected to become more widely integrated into the modern medical system. Despite the perception of modern medicine as more efficacious, traditional medicine continues and will continue to be practiced. - TradeArabia News Service