The Wellness Potential is a hospitality, wellness and culture of health Advisory headed up by Monica Barter specialising in luxury hospitality and wellness operations, concept development, key spa design briefs, sustainable business management, staff procurement and training.

In 2020, the unprecedented coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic further stimulated the global wellness hospitality movement and made the world rethink the way we live, consume, work, and travel. Interest in health and wellness is now at an all-time high. With more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality and wellness industry, Monica understands that the wellness-hospitality growth is not limited to destination spas or traditional hotels and resorts. There are significant developments evolving in standalone facilities, mixed-use, and residential real estate sectors of this market. For many hotel companies, an interest to differentiate their hotel product offerings with wellness-oriented facilities and amenities, or by incorporating new wellness-focused brands into their portfolio, is on the rise. Monica has been very successful in studying her client’s brief and mindfully curating bespoke experiences, wellness journeys and programmes for mind, body and soul because she has a comprehensive understanding of the operational nuances of the spa and wellness market. Many of her clients have also engaged her services with property repositioning and renovations, as well as infusing a touch of spa and wellness into all operating departments within the property.

Monica had a career in education with the Ministry of Education in Singapore, majoring in Physical Education and English Language and Literature and has always been an inspirational resource for health and wellness. She went on to major in the study of Health and Sport Science, Leisure & Recreation Business Management at the University of Loughborough in the UK. A logical progression into the spa and wellness community saw her forging a long and distinguished 18-year corporate career as the global spa operations director of COMO Shambhala, the award-winning wellness arm of COMO Hotels and Resorts, headquartered both in the UK and Singapore. Together with the owner of COMO, Mrs Christina Ong, Monica developed the COMO Shambhala wellness and sustainable lifestyle brand from its inception. COMO became the first hotel group in the world to focus on wellness as a complete experience with healthy COMO Shambhala Cuisine, results-driven treatments, expert practitioners and constantly evolving facilities. Under her stewardship and being the ambassador for health and wellbeing in the organisation, the COMO Hotels and Resorts group drew another first in the industry by launching a wellness-focused destination health retreat in Bali, Indonesia. As the global operations director for COMO Shambhala, Monica was based on-site at the wellness flagship and helmed the operations there.  Monica brings with her a wealth of spa, travel, hospitality and healthcare experience, having led award-winning teams for resorts and spas throughout the United States, the Caribbean, Asia and Australia. During her steady 18-years in a senior leadership position, Monica’s responsibilities grew organically to also oversee the global strategy of wellness-related products and services in the marketplace as well as the wellbeing of employees; and to constantly look into opportunities for the organisation to channel its highest purpose via the COMO Shambhala lifestyle brand and COMO Foundation. Monica remains true to her calling as an Educator and wellness advocate and is a true pioneer in global luxury spa operations and spa business development.

A graduate of Loughborough University in the UK (B Sc. Hons  PE, Sport Science and Leisure & Recreation Business Management) and the National Institute of Education in Singapore, Monica has always been fascinated with the human body and lives an inspired life and is knowledgeable in alternative forms of wellness therapy. A certified colon hydro-therapist (I-ACT), she is also trained in Esalen Massage® from the Eselan Institute in California and is a certified clinical aromatherapist (ISAMS). A dedicated Yoga practitioner (on and off the mat!), Monica is known for her unique self-expression and inspirational style of managing and developing the teams that she works with. Her years of experience in corporate hospitality and wellness operations and development engenders a wealth of knowledge on developing business units that are sustainable and profitable.