Banyan Tree Spa spanning the globe

Banyan Tree Spa spanning the globe

Strong tie-ins with hotel chains sought

Kanruethai Roongruang, vice-president and executive director for spa and gallery operations at Banyan Tree Spa, plans to expand into Vietnam, India and the Indian Ocean.
Kanruethai Roongruang, vice-president and executive director for spa and gallery operations at Banyan Tree Spa, plans to expand into Vietnam, India and the Indian Ocean.

Banyan Tree Spa plans to open more than 100 branches in Thailand and abroad in the coming years.

The Phuket-based company sees strong demand for spa treatments globally as tourism rises, said Kanruethai Roongruang, vice-president and executive director for spa and gallery operations.

"We've already made a foray into the fast-growing Chinese market, which has high demand," she said.

"Soon we'll enter new markets including Vietnam, India and the Indian Ocean."

Banyan Tree Spa will continue to increase its exposure in Europe and the Americas, where it has an established presence, in the coming years.

The Thai operator now runs 67 spas in 30 countries under the Banyan Tree Spa, Angsana Spa, Element Spa by Banyan Tree and Chill Chill brands.

Of the total, 27 spas are under Banyan Tree, 35 under Angsana Spa, three under Element Spa and two under Chill Chill (a city spa located outside hotels).

The group has more than 1,000 employees worldwide.

Next year will see the opening of four new spas in China and one in Morocco.

The 21-year-old company is also eyeing more spa brands to go with two new hotel brands under Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts.

The Cassia chain, whose owner is a Singaporean businessman, officially launched last week, with Cassia Phuket the first property.

The Dhawa chain will open in China next year.

Cassia offers stylish hotel residences for holiday and business travel, while Dhawa caters to the next generation of travellers who want to enjoy a contemporary holiday.

After hotels under the two new brands are opened, the company will introduce two new spa brands.

"Tourists around the world have been impressed by Thai tourism and culture," Ms Kanruethai said.

"When we open our spas in many countries, we blend local traditions with Thainess and Asian wisdom."

Thai tourism is recovering from the impact of the Aug 17 Erawan Shrine bombing.

International tourist arrivals are expected to reach 28.8 million this year and rise to 30 million next year.

Thais, like their international peers, have increasing purchasing power to pamper themselves and prefer spa treatments.

Apart from spas, Banyan Tree also has its own line of natural products and an academy to train therapists, who study for 350 hours and learn about human anatomy.

The company may provide therapist training for other spa operators in future, as the industry is facing a shortage of skilled staff.

The Banyan Tree Spa Bangkok won recognition for excellence at the Thailand Tourism Awards 2015, while the Banyan Tree Spa Phuket was voted one of the Best Overseas Hotel Spas by readers of Conde Nast Traveller magazine.

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