90% of Asian travellers Look for a Spa

Focus on spas for travellers
By CHRISTINA LOW

RESEARCH shows that more than 90% of Asian travellers today look for a spa or a spa resort when travelling.

This has prompted Tourism Malaysia to host the inaugural Asia Spa and Wellness Festival 2006 and to place the country as a spa and wellness destination next month.

“This festival is relevant to the citizens as we are preparing to host Visit Malaysia Year 2007. Spa tourists are generally affluent visitors, who spend on higher grade of accommodation and other travel products compared to the average traveller,” said Ministry of Tourism secretary-general Datuk Dr Victor Wee during the media launch recently.

Themed “Celebrating Asia’s Spa and Wellness Heritage'', the festival from Dec 1 to 3 will feature a wide variety of spas ranging from day spas to destination spas and wellness centres specialising in traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda and Naturopathy.

(From left) Dr Wee launching the exhibition while Raja Ropiaah, AIC Events managing director and Asia Spa and Wellness Festival 2006 project director William Ng and Euromobil director Datuk Donald Choo look on.“The festival comprises of three different components, namely a trade exhibition, an industry summit and the inaugural Malaysian Spa and Wellness Awards 2006.

The festival is a strategic platform for networking and exchange of ideas among industry players as well as a venue for suppliers to the spa and wellness industry to showcase their products,” said Asia Spa and Wellness Festival 2006 chairman Raja Ropiaah Raja Abdullah.
Raja Ropiaah also added that the festival is a collective effort by the industry to gather the best spas and wellness centres in Asia as an answer to the need for a regional event to further propel the growth of the industry.

The event to be held at Mid Valley Exhibition Centre will feature over 80 exhibitors and 300 delegates from 12 countries including Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Germany and Hong Kong.
The exhibition is open for trade only on the first day and to the public on the next two days.
Designed as a spa village, the exhibition concept steers away from the mundane façade of the ordinary exhibitions, making visits a rejuvenating experience while creating a relaxing oasis in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.

Some of the speakers for the summit who will be speaking for the first time in Asia include Prof Dr Gerhard Huber from University of Heidelberg and WellConsult managing director Slyvia Gluckert.

Other speakers include Mehmann Wellness Consulting managing director Toni Mehmann, Martha Tilaar Group founder Dr Martha Tilaar, Australian Spa Association vice president Vanessa Gay and S Medical Spa president Dr Pakpilai Thavisin.

The festival is supported by the Thai Spa Association, Bali Spa Association and the Spa Association of Singapore. Euromobil Sdn Bhd is the official presenter for the festival.
For details on the event visit http://www.aswf2006.com/ or call the secretariat at 03-780 36637.



News Source : STAR

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