Spa standards need upgrade | Bangkok Post: business

SERVICES

Despite being one of the most highly regulated spa industries in the world, Thai operations must be more proactive in developing better standards or else other countries could outstrip Thailand, warns the Thai Spa Association (TSPA).

"Competition is going to change radically in 2015. Thai spa operators must speed up improving their standards prior to the advent of the Asean Economic Community in order to secure the country's position as leader in the Asia-Pacific," said president Andrew Jacka.

Of the 75,000 spa businesses worldwide, 30% are in Asia Pacific. Thailand has 2% of the global market and is the seventh-largest employer of spa therapists.