Massage Therapy

missp · #1 06-09-2006, 05:52 PM

Hi everyone,

I'm going to be living in DR soon and will be looking for some part time work. Ive noticed a lot of Massage places on my previous visits and as qualified Masseuse I was thinking that this might be my best starting point. I currently have my own business working from home and visiting clients. However, a few discussions on this site have led me to the conclusion that a lot of these places might be - how can i put this - less than respectable? if you know what I'm saying.

So what I'm wondering is, is this assumption correct - or is it just odd places that attract 'those' kind of clients? In England these kind of places are illegal but is it the same in DR?

Is professional massage popular in DR? What kind of wages does it pay and are the best places to look for work the big hotel complexes? Or can i set up on my own as i do currently?

Any information and opinions would be gratefully received.

Miss P

rellosk · #2 06-09-2006, 06:00 PM

Most of the MP's in the DR are as you say, "less than respectable". However, most of the mid to upscale hotels provide "more respectable" massages. I'm not sure the wages they pay, or if they hire part time workers.

carina · #3 06-09-2006, 07:54 PM

There are several places ( local ) that are respectable as well, apart from the ones that Rellosk refer to. Usually it is people, one or two, that runs their own business, and work themselves. Local prices, if that is your target group, is around 250-300 RDS/hr here in Puerto Plata.
I know of none that have employees though, exept a private rehab office, that has one.

Very few hotels hire foreigners, in Puerto Plata ( i.e Playa Dorada/Costa Dorada ) it is only in executive positions, and sometimes at Kids Clubs.
Otherwise the staff is local, as the salaries.

I don´t know where on the island you´re moving. Here in Puerto Plata several foreigners have tried to open businesses in massage, but they all close after some time, due to lack of activity.

missp · #4 06-10-2006, 05:00 AM

Thanks for the info, I'll bear those comments in mind. I'm going to be living on the South coast - initially the La Romana Area. Anyone have experiences or information from this area?

pol73 · #5 06-10-2006, 05:38 AM

In am also relocating from the Uk to La Romana- I'll pay you!! (above board of course- i am female!) Casa de Campo has spa facilities- i take on board what Carina says hotels about hiring locals but it might be worth a look? Also there are a lot of Uk teachers are housed nearby: English Education stress levels? I'm hoping not, but you never know! ;-)

Chris · #6 06-10-2006, 08:46 AM

When you have a look at the hotels, it may be worth pitching those without massage therapists for a space for you to work in their complex for a percentage earnings. Good for them and good for you, and you could perhaps work with a few hotels. You need to have some contacts for this though.

carina · #7 06-10-2006, 09:28 AM

The idea is splendid, but the hotels don´t rent out spaces on that manner. The rent at the hotels that do rent out, as well as in the plazas, are beyond realistic terms. A small boot in the Plaza for instance is around 40.000 RDS/month, not even a room, just a boot.

Frank the Tank · #8 06-11-2006, 01:43 AM

Hopefully this thread will have a happy ending.

Chris · #9 06-11-2006, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carina

The idea is splendid, but the hotels don´t rent out spaces on that manner. The rent at the hotels that do rent out, as well as in the plazas, are beyond realistic terms. A small boot in the Plaza for instance is around 40.000 RDS/month, not even a room, just a boot.

You're confused. I am not talking about rentals, I am talking about a business arrangement between a massage therapist and a hotel. I can take you to two hotels on the North Coast that I know of, that have a massage therapist come in periodically. I am positive there are more. Some smaller boutique hotels are interested in providing a better service to their customers and may not necessarily have the ability to have a full time therapist attached to their operation. I have also seen this work very well on another island. It is called providing an additional service to your guests and subcontracting that service. The hotel usually takes bookings through their reservations desk and the massage therapist and the hotel come to a financial agreement.

I do not know how widespread this practice may be in the DR besides the two that I know of, but if it is not, it is a market opportunity for a good therapist.

carina · #10 06-11-2006, 09:53 AM

I am not confused. The rent was an example of what kind of money the association expects for nothing. I know what you wrote about, and I replied as PD and CD are concerned, not the rest of the island, that they don´t do these kind of business arrangements you suggested unfortunately, but expects very high rentals for anyone wanting to provide services to their clientel. That´s the way the mind works there.

Edited to include:
The OP hasn´t said where she planned to move, so the hotels you know of might be a start then.