Spa Ceylon to enter lucrative UAE, Chinese markets next month

Spa Ceylon, the world’s largest luxury ayurveda wellness chain, is poised for a significant international expansion with plans to enter the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and China in July.
The move marks a strategic push into two of the world’s most lucrative consumer markets, with five additional markets on the near horizon.
The entry into China will be spearheaded by a digital-first strategy, with the company having previously announced plans to debut on the country’s premier e-commerce platform T-Mall. This aligns with the company’s omnichannel approach to reach a broad consumer base in the digitally-savvy Chinese market.
“We are launching in the UAE next month. We also have our Chinese operation launching next month and we have five other markets lined up,” Spa Ceylon Co-Founder and Group Director Shalin Balasuriya confirmed to Mirror Business.
The foray into these markets is well-timed. The luxury wellness sector in both the UAE and China is experiencing robust growth. In the UAE, the complementary and alternative medicine market is projected to reach billions of dollars in the coming years, driven by a growing expatriate population and a strong government focus on wellness tourism. Spa Ceylon’s authentic ayurveda-based products are expected to resonate with the UAE’s diverse and health-conscious consumer base.
The Chinese market presents an even larger opportunity. The wellness market in China is the second-largest in the world, with a burgeoning middle class increasingly prioritising health and well-being. The luxury spa market in China alone is anticipated to grow significantly, with a compound annual growth rate of over 7 percent. Spa Ceylon’s unique blend of traditional Ceylonese rituals and modern luxury is well-positioned to capture the interest of Chinese consumers seeking premium, natural wellness solutions.
Founded in May 2009 by brothers Shiwantha Dias and Shalin Balasuriya, Spa Ceylon has successfully blended the ancient wisdom of ayurveda with the romance of old Ceylon, creating a globally recognised brand. The homegrown wellness giant currently has a global footprint of over 140 stores across 33 countries.
The company’s commitment to ethical sourcing and cruelty-free products remains a cornerstone of its philosophy. This commitment is exemplified by its community-centric approach to sourcing ingredients. Balasuriya highlighted a key initiative in Kalpitiya, where the company has fostered a sustainable supply chain for aloe vera.
“We started aloe vera farming in Kalpitiya. We got the families; we started growing aloe vera in their backyards. And we started buying aloe vera from them at a great price,” Balasuriya explained. 
“Even now, we buy about one and a half tonnes of aloe vera a month from those families. It brought the families together. It gave them income. It gave a lot of dignity of labour to the females. It was a lovely project.”