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Thai Spa Association Honours 18 of Its Best at Inaugural Awards
Eighteen of Thailand’s best products and services
in the health and wellness sector scored top honours at the inaugural
Thailand Spa and Wellbeing Awards held on September 20.
A mix
of large and established spa businesses as well as newcomers and
innovators were conferred the awards in a night of celebration organised
by the Thai Spa Association at the Grand Diamond Ballroom, IMPACT
Exhibition and Convention Center.
Tourism
Authority of Thailand Governor Suraphon Svetasreni hailed the awards for
“recognising the outstanding contribution organisations and individuals
make to their profession whilst further promoting Thai spa industry
standards, creativity and innovation.”
He said,
“The TAT congratulates all the winners and compliments them for their
dedication and commitment to excellence. We shall ensure maximum possible
marketing exposure for the winners at international trade shows, in line
with our policy to reward best practises and boost the competitive
advantage of our well-recognised Thai products and services."
Big
winners included the Banyan Tree line of spas based in Phuket, Samui and
Bangkok taking four of the top honors — Innovative Spa Treatment, Spa
Product, Amazing Hotel Spa and Amazing Resort Spa. The Hua Hin-based spa,
Chiva-Som also won the three awards for innovative Spa Cuisine,
Environmental Conscience and Spa Educator.
The
most prestigious award — The Hall of Fame award — was presented to a
lifelong advocate of the Thai spa industry, Mrs Naphalai Areesorn,
founder and the first president of the Thai Spa Association, and
presently the Editor-in-chief of Thailand Tatler.
All
winners were voted by event exhibitors at the Thai Spa Convention, spa
operators, consumers and the Thai Spa Association Board. To ensure voting
transparency, all votes were tallied by KPMG Thailand. (See full list of
the winners below).
The
awards ceremony was the highlight of the inaugural “World Spa and
Well-Being Convention”, the first global event of its kind to be held in
Thailand between 19-21 September.
It has
been exactly 20 years ago since the opening of Chiva-Som, Thailand’s
first dedicated spa, health and wellness centre. Since then, the industry
has come a long way and diversified into one of the most lucrative
niche-market components of the Thai tourism industry.
It has
also played a major role in changing the image of Thailand, creating jobs
and distributing income nationwide.
According
to Mr. Andrew Jacka, President of the Thai Spa Association, now that a
firm foundation has been laid, Thailand has to invest in upgrading
educational and training standards, and boosting innovation and
creativity.
He said
that Thailand current has the largest spa industry in the Asia-Pacific
region, but will face strong future competition from Indonesia, Australia
and Malaysia, with Vietnam and Cambodia also expected to take market
share, and the Chinese and Indian markets growing rapidly.
“Local
entrepreneurs need to keep abreast of the changing industry landscape,
make the most of all educational opportunities, further increase
operating standards and promote greater innovation, if Thailand is to
maintain its status as Asia’s spa service hub,” he said.
The
World Spa & Well-being Convention 2012 was held with sponsorship
support from the TAT, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau
(TCEB), the Department of Skill Development and the Department of
Tourism, as well as the Office of the Consumer Protection Board.
It was
attended by hundreds of investors, trade visitors from around the world,
and the general public. The convention component was organised under the
concept of ‘Education, Standards and Innovation,’ and featured a wide
selection of seminars and conferences plus the demonstration of
innovative technologies, products and services in the activity zone.
More
than 180 companies exhibited a comprehensive range of business resources
for the spa and health industries.
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Copyright Tourism Authority of Thailand. All
Rights Reserved.
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HOT ON THE HEELS OF THE RECENTLY CONCLUDED INAUGURAL MEDICAL & WELLNESS TRADE FAIR FROM 10 TO 15 SEPTEMBER CAME THE THAILAND SPA & WELL-BEING AWARDS ON 20 SEPTEMBER.
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