The Association québécoise des spas (AQS) was created in 2012 to engage and represent the spa industry throughout Québec.
The ministère du Tourisme du Québec recognizes the AQS as a sectoral tourism association (STA) representing the spa industry in Québec.
A spa is an establishment, a location; it is not a hot tub, whirlpool or jacuzzi.
The word “spa” comes from an ancient Roman acronym meaning “Sana Per Aquam”, “Sanitas Per Aquam” or “Sanare Per Aquam”, which translates to “health through water”.
Spa n: establishment or service included in an establishment, contributing to people’s wellness in an environment conducive to relaxation and in an ethical context, where the main activities are one or more forms of water therapy and one or several types of professional treatments, at least including massage therapy, offered in two or more treatment rooms and comprising a relaxation area dedicated to this purpose. French: spa.
*Definition according to the SPA BNQ 9700-040 standard of the Bureau de normalisation du Québec the (updated December 2014).
The AQS supports, represents, defends, and acts as a spokesperson for all members in the spa industry in Québec.
The AQS deals with issues that affect the spa industry:
