Telum Media caught up with Editor-in-Chief Tama Lung and Senior Editor Pearl Yan at AsiaSpa. Great to have you two! First of all, BIG congratulations on the relaunch of AsiaSpa in September! This is a big piece of good news for the local media market. Could you tell us more about the relaunch?
Tama: Thank you! We’re very excited, not only because this is the first complete relaunch for the brand but also because we’ve been working on it since February! Our original plan was to relaunch the print magazine in May and the website after that. But thanks to Covid-19 we had to flip the script and focus on digital until it made sense to bring back the print magazine. Everything is new for both formats, from the look and feel to the organisation and user experience. We’re also bringing back the AsiaSpa Awards with a host of new categories and an almost entirely new judging panel. Brands and individuals can enter now on AsiaSpa.com and we’ll announce the winners in December. Check out here for more details. 
 
What are your new content and editorial strategies? 
Tama: AsiaSpa was already well established as the region’s well-being bible, so there won’t be a radical change in terms of content. We’ll continue to focus on being the definitive resource for all things wellness, from retreats and beauty treatments to fitness and sustainability. But we’re enhancing our coverage of Asia and voices from the region, with columns from local personalities like Peggy Chan and Thierry Chow, profiles of wellness icons like Utah Lee and Resham Daswani, and more articles on new destinations and trending topics in Asia-Pacific. Asia has always been at the forefront of wellness and at AsiaSpa we're in a unique position to share what’s happening here with a global audience. 
 
We know that AsiaSpa is more than things about spa. Tell us more.
Pearl: Our new website, newly launched on 7^th September, covers everything from in-depth spa, resort and retreat reviews, health and fitness tips to the latest skincare and beauty trends. Currently, we have five main categories on the website menu: Spas, Travel, Wellness, Beauty and Trade Talk. The Trade Talk section features B2B events in the wellness, travel and beauty industries, while the editorial content is curated by a team of well-travelled editors and writers who deliver insightful, first-hand and high-quality content on the best and latest in spas, retreats and holistic wellness.

Tama: The print magazine covers much of the same, but with longer-form features and first-person essays. Our relaunch issue will highlight Asia’s urban wellness revolution, with in-depth looks at what’s trending in Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok. We’re also excited about our new column, The Journey, in which a well-known personality in the wellness space shares a particularly meaningful or transformative trip. Our first one is by Dervla Louli Musgrave, who talks about her visit earlier this year to her father’s homeland of Egypt. 
 
Wellness is all we need during this time. Any tips for our readers on how to relax and unwind? 
Pearl: Wellness encompasses a broad spectrum of topics, and now more than ever, people are starting to pay attention to their mental and physical health due to the pandemic. Keeping a daily routine is a great way to find certainty during uncertain times like these. Even if your lifestyle pre-Covid-19 wasn’t the healthiest, you can still start implementing some structure into your day to maintain your health, productivity and emotional well-being. Adding a run or workout to your morning routine before work, mindful breathing or meditating between Zoom calls, and switching off before bed can make a difference in helping you feel more in control and centred.  

Tama:I totally agree that the pandemic has given all of us an opportunity to establish new healthy habits. Whereas before I was travelling and eating out all the time, now I can plan my workouts and meals for the week and stick with them. I also recommend indulging in regular self-care, whether giving yourself a gua sha face massage, having a nightly bath or just putting on a face mask while you binge-watch Netflix.

Tips - How can they work with you efficiently? 
Pearl: Keep us updated on the latest in wellness, travel and beauty! We welcome all spa and product trials as well as events and press trip invites when international travel resumes. Always contact us via email, but we’re also active on social media. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook. 

Also, AsiaSpa Awards 2020 are now open for nominations! With a total of 30 categories and a refreshed judging panel, they're more accessible to wellness and travel brands than ever before. Deadline is 26^th October and winners will be announced during a virtual awards ceremony in December.