India-based spa training provider The Orient Spa Academy (OSA) has launched the country's first online spa management certificate programme for wellness professionals.

The OSA e-learn course is targeted at those already working in the spa industry and looking to increase their knowledge base of spa operations.

Modules include marketing, operations, human resources, leadership, customer management, accounting and strategy.

According to OSA, the e-learning course has been designed to alleviate a shortage of qualified spa staff for India's booming spa industry.

A spokesperson or OSA said: "The spa industry in India is growing at a rate of 20-30 per cent each year.

"This has led to a great demand for spa and wellness professionals such as spa therapists and spa managers in these centers.

"It is estimated that India will need around 20,000 trained therapists in the coming few years. Currently, there are just around 1,000 trained therapists to cater to the needs of more than 3,000 day spas and around 1,200 resort spas across the nation."