Export of spa products tipped to rise
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Amid shrinking shipments overseas from manufacturing, Thailand aims to generate more revenue from exporting services, particular spas and related products.
“Exports of Thai spa products are expected to grow 5-10 per cent this year to US$1.68 billion (Bt53.9 billion), thanks to rising awareness of healthcare and Thai spa services,” Duangkamol Jiambutr, deputy director-general of the International Trade Promotion Department, said last week.
People in many developed countries and emerging economies with higher income will worry more about their health. The greying of the population in Japan, continental Europe and Thailand will help spur demand for spa products and services.
Thailand, as one the world’s leading spa proponents, has high efficiency to be the centre of the world’s supply of spa services and products.
Thailand is one of the world’s top five in spa destinations and exports of spa products, along with Russia, Indonesia, India and China.
The department and the Thai Spa Association are organising the third edition of the World Spa and Well-being Convention from September 18-20.
This year’s event will be held in conjunction with Beyond Beauty Asean-Bangkok and is projected to draw about 15,000 local and international visitors and more than 400 regional and global exhibitors. Krod Rojanastien, president of the association, said the conference aims to establish Thailand as the ultimate centre for beauty, spa, wellness products and services in Asia.
It will bring overseas buyers to meet face-to-face with local operators and manufacturers from the spa and wellness industries.
To promote Thailand as a top centre of the spa industry, the government and private sector have worked on plans and systems to develop staff and enforce laws.
The Healthcare Business Bill is expected to be passed soon to regulate and monitor Thai spa services and related businesses.
“Several thousand Thai spa and massage shops are opening in Thailand.
“However, some of them have not been regulated by any government agency, so some have low standards,” he said.
To ensure a sufficient supply of labour to support industry growth, the association has collaborated with businesses and the Public Health Ministry to set educational standards that will improve training quality for professional spa therapists.
