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 FUTURE DIRECTION FOR THAI SPAS
The initial wave of Thai spas was fuelled in part by the arrival of international operators and spa consultants who brought with them experience and expertise to establish and manage high-quality spa operations. This led to the emergence of several major players such as the Mandara and the Spa of Siam, and the six chain hotels with their own distinctive spa brands namely - the Banyan Tree, Angsana, Six Senses, Centara by the Central Hotels & Resorts, and Devarana by the Dusit Group.
It is forecasted that The Hotel/Resort Spa sector will be leading the future growth of the spa sector with an increasing number of hotel properties in Thailand expected to launch their own spa products in the coming year. Many more deluxe hotels will be adding spa facilities and offering their in-house line of spa products and services.
As for product development, I firmly believes that holistic healing is the best model for Thailand. As more and more new operators crowd the market, survival of the fittest will be decided by the ability to differentiate oneself. Those who make the effort to go beyond beauty salon-style pampering will most certainly find the venture into the spa business more economically rewarding and sustainable.
With the exponential growth of spas in recent years, Thailand's Ministry of Public Health recognises the importance of establishing internationally-accepted standards for the industry and wishes to ensure that future industry growth proceeds in the right direction with Thai spa operators aiming for higher standards and striving towards the achievement of global spa industry standards.
To achieve this, the Ministry is working closely with the Thai Spa Operator Association in identifying appropriate criteria for the accreditation and certification of Thailand's spa operators. The Thai Spa operator Association consists of 50 members representing the major players in the industry comprising spas, spa operators, product suppliers, training school, and government agencies.
The certification criteria being proposed for consideration are based on the generic guidelines of the International Spa Association (ISPA) but also taking it a step further by supplementing generic criteria with more tangible and measurable indicators of excellence.
The Thai Spa Operator Association welcomes the active interest and involvement of the Ministry of Public Health as government recognition is deemed to be an important seal of quality, credibility and recognition accorded to an establishment.
Offshore, word of the Thai spa sensation has spread rapidly.
There is growing international interest around the world in Thai spa expertise and "Made in Thailand" spa, health and beauty products, particularly herbal treatments. Savvy spa operators looking to add Thai touch to their spa menu have been in contact with DEP offices seeking help and advice in sourcing information and local contacts for Thai spa resources available - products and therapists included.
The growing demand for highly qualified and experienced spa personnel in the spa destinations, both in Thailand and overseas, drives new business opportunities in the recruitment, training and skills development of spa staff, particularly therapists. Long-recognised for world-class service and hospitality, international spa operators are looking to Thailand to lead the region in the training of spa personnel to address market need in a world where demand far outstrips supply. Although there are no formal spa training schools in Thailand, spas such as The Banyan Tree, Mandara and Chiva-Som operate their own schools. Originally established for the purpose of in-house training, Thai spas have recently diversified and are offering their spa training curriculum as an alternative product made available to international trade buyers and individual therapists seeking to acquire accreditation by a respected and well-recognised spa institution. The spa's tailor-made training curriculum is supplemented with ad hoc training conducted by international spa consultants and product-oriented training by the individual suppliers of spa products and equipment.
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 The key ingredients for a successful spa
 Beginning of Thailand's Spa
Aqua Culture
Massage
Thai Spa Cuisine
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