|
|
International SPA meeting boost for Kindom In a bid to strengthen the country's standing as a regional spa industry hub, Thailand will for the first time host next year's ISPA Asia-Pacific Conference and Exhibition, expected to attract 150 spa operators from 20 countries. The Industry Ministry, the Institute for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (ISMED), the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the Ministry of Commerce and the International Spa Association (ISPA) jointly announced plans for the conference yesterday. Chakkamon Phasukvanich, permanent secretary to the Ministry of Industry and ISMED chairman, said the theme of the 2006 confab, scheduled for May 3-5, will be "The Best of the East". The ISPA conference was held in Singapore in 2003 and 2005 and in Japan in last year. Thailand's reputation as spa haven in the Asia-Pacific region is due to the country's many advantages, Chakkamon said. The country's spa facilities and services, along with the Thai people's hospitality, are known around the world. "With its long tradition of using herbs as medicine and cosmetics and its expertise in providing Thai massage, it became very clear that Thailand should host this event." Chakkamon said. There are 512 spas in Thailand that meet or exceed international standards. In 2004, the spa business generated Bt7.2 billion in revenue and provided Bt3.2 million in services to customers, 80 percent of who are foreigners. The spa business has shown an average growth rate of 20-30 percent annually, said Thanet Norabhuoompipat, ISMED's president, adding that the conference could generate some Bt100 million in new revenues. Peerapong Oeusoonthornwattana, director-general of the convention and exhibition bureau, said the bureau would invite some 150 delegates from the tourism and spa sectors in 20 countries to attend the show to meet with local spa operators attending the event. The Ministry of Commerce supports activities that are related to exhibitions and provides assistance in promoting SMEs and One Tambon One Product exports overseas. ISMED plans to develop a curriculum for spa operators and their executives to further develop their management capabilities and international networking skills. ISPA was founded in 1999, after Vincenzo Marra, founder of Italian Beauty Innovations, donated US$30,000 (Bt1.2 million). Based in Lexington, Kentucky the organisation provides education and research for the spa industry.
|