Balinese Thai Spa VS Aruyah Spa

Back in 2016, I stayed at Aleenta Hua Hin Resort and Spa in Bangkok and experienced one of the best resort spas I have ever encountered. The name of the Spa in that resort is Ayurah Spa and it was awarded World Luxury Spa Award Winner 2016. The Ayurah Spa was definitely different from Balinese Thai Spa as it offers a full range of Treatments designed to relax and heal. 


Resort Spa
Aside from the location of residing within a resort. Ayurah Spa offers treatment such as Mind Balance, Body Rejuvenation, and Holistic Wellness. A full range of wellness-oriented to general massage therapy available with normal duration hours at a Spa. However, it is also worth noting that Aruyah Spa is not a destination spa as the Spa Company has a separate outlet called Ayurah Spa & Wellness Centre. The center offers an entire rejuvenating journey of well-being and balance of body and mind. The sanctuary takes a more medical and results-oriented approach to wellness, with rejuvenating spa treatments and spa therapies.

Day Spa

In contrary to the Resort Spa I have experienced in Thailand, Balinese Thai Spa is a deep-rooted traditional Day Spa located in the middle of other shophouses. Balinese Thai offers a wide array of massages, including the ever-popular authentic Balinese, Javanese and traditional Thai massages. With their highly trained and experienced masseuses from the Indonesian island of Bali, they are able to provide both health benefits and relaxation during treatments. Similar to other Day/City Spas, tourist would not be the ideal audience, as they are usually Singapore Citizens living around the area. It is also worth mentioning that the Guest Return Rate of Balinese Thai would definitely be higher compared to Aruyah Spa as the main channel of customers depends on the tourist staying at Aleenta Hua Hin Resort and Spa.

Spa Treatments available at Aruyah Spa in Aleenta's Luxury Beach Resorts & Villas in Thailand

Ayurah Spa & Wellness Centre in Phuket, Thailand

Day Spa
In contrary to the Resort Spa I have experienced in Thailand, Balinese Thai Spa is a deep-rooted traditional Day Spa located in the middle of other shophouses. Balinese Thai offers a wide array of massages, including the ever-popular authentic Balinese, Javanese , and traditional Thai massages. With their highly trained and experienced masseuses from the Indonesian island of Bali, they are able to provide both health benefits and relaxation during treatments. Similar to other Day/City Spas, tourist would not be the ideal audience, as they are usually Singapore Citizens living around the area. It is also worth mentioning that the Guest Return Rate of Balinese Thai would definitely be higher compared to Aruyah Spa as the main channel of customers depends on the tourist staying at Aleenta Hua Hin Resort and Spa. 

Spa Experience
Personally, I believe that both Spas were on the similar level in terms of the massage therapy I had received. I noticed that many Spas adopt the customs of serving teas to guests before and after the treatment was done, as well as the consultation forms to be signed before service. However for the preparation of guest was poorly executed in Balinese Thai where the therapist failed to inform me the standard protocol to undress into a towel and so on. While I believe that it was a simple and honest mistake, it is worth noting that all procedures should be standardized and uniform. Despite that, I have learned many things from Balinese Thai that no Lectures or Tutorials would ever be able to teach me, and I am truly grateful for the experienced to have an in-depth understanding of the Spa Industry in Singapore. Balinese Thai pride themselves to be Honest, Transparent and Service-Oriented, all of which I absolutely agree. The 10-hour attachment has been the most interesting segment throughout my course of study, and I was really glad to have met so many wonderful Therapists and Managers who have taken their time for the attachment. 

Photo of my attachment with Miss Lily in Balinese Thai

Global Wellness Economy

Before writing the report, I always thought that the Global Wellness Economy is affected by the economic recession, employment rates, and average spending powers. However, after conducting research and investigations, The Global Wellness Institute report shows that the Wellness Economy encompasses many factors that enable consumers to incorporate wellness into their lives—how they live, work, play, and travel. To which I fully agree as I believe that the spending powers of the citizen play a great part in the wellness economy as Spa and Wellness is not a necessity but a luxury. According to lecture 2, Wellness Tourism is associated with the pursuit of maintaining and enhancing one's well-being. Unlike Medical Tourism where the purpose of travel is to seek medical treatment in another country.

Some of the factors contributing to Global Wellness Economy includes Beauty and Anti-Aging, Healthy Eating and Nutrition and Weight Loss, Fitness and Mind-Body, and lastly Preventive and Personalized Medicine and Public Health.

Beauty and Anti-Aging

Aging is the body deteriorating over a time frame, affecting the physical appearance and health of an aging person. Anti-aging involves procedures and medication intentional to delay, stop or retard the aging process. Anti-ageing market is considered to be one of the rising markets in today’s world. New technologies and equipment have been introduced to the market claiming the ability to "Turn back time". I think that Anti Ageing and Beauty is popular due to the vanity of women who fear being old and witnessing wrinkles on their once smooth skin.  In Korea, there has been an explosion trend of Plastic Surgery due to the over popularized false beauty for every girl to look like an idol. With the constant chase to be beautiful and to restore time, it is no wonder that Beauty and Anti-Ageing is ranked the highest market in Global Wellness Economy with an overall $999 Billion revenue. 

Healthy Eating, Nutrition and Weight Loss.
I would like to also mention that I believe the reason why Singapore Wellness Economy is on a high rise, is due to the new set of Generation which is widely known as the Millenials. A recent Food Marketing Analysis shows that Millennials are poised to reshape the economy which in other words - "changing the game". In addition to being environmentally and socially conscious, the purchasing decisions on food have been raised sustainably and ethically by agri-food businesses that are open and transparent about their operations. This is because Millennials value local and organic food. Therefore it explains the rise of Vegan Lifestyle and Environmental friendly acts. To which, I believe that it has also increased more organic and health Wellness tourism to the recent market for Healthy Eating, Nutrition and Weight Loss. 

Global Wellness Economy Factors and the Revenue

Operation Framework of a Spa & Wellness Establishment

In my opinion, I believe that a successful Template for Spa and Wellness Establishment consist of 3 major points - Good Spa Treatments, Consistent Monitoring of Spa Environment as well as Marketing Strategies.

1. Good Spa Treatments
In order to achieve this point, Therapist should be well-trained at their job with adequate product knowledge. With the foundation being put into practice, an additional effort to recognize and identify every customer's needs should be instilled in order to apply the most suitable treatments. This way, it establishes a relationship with the consumers to trust the masseuse, as well as displaying the transparency of the Spa Company to truly care for the Guest and not the short-term revenue. With that, a loyalty can be developed towards longterm membership.

2. Consistent Monitoring of Spa Environment
Firstly, always ensure that the condition of spa equipment, treatment rooms, hygiene standards as well as relevant laws, regulations, and guidelines regarding water should be of high standard. Should any areas be lacking, it will be displeasing towards guest and damaging to the brand. The Regulation and Licensing for the Spa Company, including CaseTrust Accreditation, must be followed regimentally as it is very important. Areas such as Staff Employment, Age Limit, Mixed Gender/ Couple Spa Packages must be rigidly abided. Following manufacturer and maintenance of equipment is also crucial to keep everything in safe and top-condition. Lastly, Consumable Items such as massage oils, mask, serum, herbal teas, and candles must be regularly checked to prevent using expired goods.

3. Marketing Strategies

Marketing Strategies must be practiced in positive ways in order to build Brand Awareness. For a new Spa Company, it is essential to building Brand Awareness as product or service provided must be known to potential buyers in order to succeed. Without marketing, potential customers may never be aware of the business offerings which will lead to many years of deficit. Marketing builds Brand Recognition to stand on firmer ground. As reputation grows, the business expands and sales increase leading to a successful spa company. Lastly, marketing also fosters an environment in the marketplace for healthy completion. It helps to keep pricing competitive for a business to try to win over consumers before other competition does. Therefore I believe that Marketing Strategies is very significant to the success of the company as it prevents the Spa Company to suffer many years of deficit despite extensive efforts in Spa Treatments and Consistent Monitoring.

Spa and Wellness Trend

A recent article on Straits Time showed that Singapore still struggles with ultra-low fertility rates of below 1.4 - way below the replacement rate of 2.1 to maintain population levels. Due to that problem, the Government has been introducing new Baby Bonus to entice more young couples to settle down and get a baby. The Baby Bonus Scheme includes Cash Gift of $8,000 for 1st child, Start a Child Development Account to save Baby Bonus Cash, as well as many Maternity Leaves for the working parents to legally take time off for the family. With that, babies are viewed precious to an even greater extent as 2 kids in the family are considered abundant. Hence, there is a growing trend of pampering the child with top-quality facilities such as diapers, prams and even clothing. 

Therefore, it has led to a new trend of Baby Spas in Singapore for mothers to pamper their child to the ultimate level. According to TheAsianParent, advocates say that spa treatments offer a whole range of amazing benefits for baby. On its website, Baby Spa Perth claims that hydrotherapy can develop babies’ muscular and skeletal system, while baby massages stimulate their digestive systems to reduce constipation, and put them into a deep sleep for parents who struggle with babies irregular sleeping patterns. While exercising may not sound logical for newborn, swimming is great because not only do babies love bobbing up and down in the water, but the activity provides numerous physiological and psychological benefits for baby, like improved cardiovascular health and increased memory capacity. Swimming can also help develop baby’s personalities harmoniously and also offer them opportunities to adapt to unexpected situations early in life, thus improving their situational awareness. Some Spas even go to the extent of using pure essential oils that will help keep the baby's skin soft, moisturized and boost their immune systems. Other services available also includes Baby Massages to relieve colic, which is essentially a massage therapy to help ease the trapped gas in the stomach, to stimulate the digestive system to reduce pain for the little one.

Hence it has been a rising trend in Singapore for new parents to spoil and indulge their newborns to a Spa trip and watching them enjoy themselves bobbing in the water. Because every parent's dream is to watch their child grow up, happy and healthily.

Baby Spa 

References

https://www.aleenta.com

https://www.aleenta.com/files/7014/8118/7446/AHH-SPA_MENU-WO_LM.pub2.pdf

https://www.theluxuryspaedit.com/spa/aleenta-phuket/

https://www.balinesethai.com.sg

http://www.globalwellnesssummit.com/images/stories/gsws2014/pdf/GWI_Global_Spa_and_Wellness_Economy_Monitor_Full_Report_Final.pdf

http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/sis16165/$file/lledit39_ava_millenials_food_nov3_2016.pdf?OpenElement

https://training.gov.au/TrainingComponentFiles/SIB10/SIBBSPA501A_R2.pdf

http://smallbusiness.chron.com/importance-marketing-success-business-589.html

https://sg.theasianparent.com/baby-spa-treatment/

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/tackling-singapores-baby-shortage

https://www.babybonus.msf.gov.sg/parent/web/about?_afrLoop=10048091166248646&_afrWindowMode=0&_afrWindowId=dfwzxcw50_1#%40%3F_afrWindowId%3Ddfwzxcw50_1%26_afrLoop%3D10048091166248646%26_afrWindowMode%3D0%26_adf.ctrl-state%3Ddfwzxcw50_29

http://www.littlestepsasia.com/singapore/articles/play/baby-spas-sg
https://www.globalwellnessinstitute.org/ 
https://www.globalwellnessinstitute.org/press-room/statistics-and-facts/