SERVICES / HEALTH CARE AND SPAS

Minor affiliate opens training facility to meet high demand

PITSINEE JITPLEECHEEP

The spa division of the Minor Group will open a training academy in 2008 to support its expansion plans and the continued growth of spa demand worldwide. MSpa International, the operator of the Mandara and Anantara spa brands, yesterday opened its first training centre on the sixth floor of the White Group building on Sukhumvit Soi 42.

The company initially aims to train people to support its own plans to expand from 22 spas to 80 by the end of 2008, according to Prin Prakittiphoom, the marketing manager of MSpa International. Later on, it aims to offer training to spa personnel from other companies.

Chief operating officer Steven Conquy said the company would enter deals to manage 16 new spas this year in Abu Dhabi, China, India and Egypt, with more spa projects to come throughout Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.

Currently, MSpa provides management for 22 spas, 13 of which are located in Thailand and the rest in China, the Maldives, Jordan and Tanzania.

Tipaphan Saengsuwanwow, the company's business development administration manager, said MSpa typically made a 100% investment in the spas it operated, or formed joint ventures under which profits were shared with hotel owners.

To reduce business risk, the company will focus more on providing spa management to others and collecting management fees.

Ms Tipaphan said that 70-80% of the company's services could be categorised as ''pampering'' 15% holistic treatments where demand is growing fastest, and the remainder medical services.

Mr Conquy said the company had invested 10 million baht in the MSpa training centre. It plans to produce about 400 spa receptionists, managers and therapists to support its future expansion plan and expects sales of 40 million baht this year.

The 550-square-metre training facility has four training rooms that can accommodate 12 students each. Comprehensive programmes have been designed for all levels. Fees start at 100,000 baht per student, compared to 300,000 baht or more for similar training overseas.

There are five major spa brands in Thailand: Banyan Tree, Six Senses, MSpa, The Oriental and Devarana Spa.

Mr Conquy said spa visits in Bangkok this year were down 10-20% because of continuing economic uncertainty and political tensions, but visits were up in tourist locations including Hua Hin.

General News
Bangkok Post
Thursday January 25, 2007