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Description of modern spa resort - characteristisc, requirements, etc.
The everyday stress and increased pace of life provokes the need for effective relaxation to manage with this daily pressure. People have less time for rest and regeneration but they keep on seeking the proper places to escape from the overwork and revitalize themselves. In the spas they can find the opportunity to treat their mind, body and soul in order to return their mental and emotional balance before coming back to their daily lives. With the evolution of the spa, spa resorts have become more modernized, the wellness services – more varied, the spa centres – more comfortable. In order to establish a spa centre and follow the new trends, there are some specific characteristics that should be taken into account.
Developing a spa resort is not an easy process, in order to bring the desired benefits it requires planning and consideration over various social, economic and environmental issues. To stay competitive on the market, the spa operators must continually keep the amenities up-to-date and add progressively the new facilities. In order keep the spa an attractive destination, it is important for the planners to take economic decisions according to the number and kind of visitors they target, the size of development and capitals for the investment, as well as regarding the social and environmental impacts on the area. The participants in the planning and development process typically include market and financial analysts, architects, engineers (also social engineers), lawyers and management consultants. Spa resort development requires huge investments that must cover the big costs in fixed assets (land, buildings and amenities), the low returns in the early years and a long payback period. Normally, each investor would like to maximize the profit on operations connected with the spa development and that is why the planning process should include the following steps:
- Location of the spa and the other amenities (tennis courts, golf course, ski slopes or other recreational activities);
- Provision for eventual expansion of the spa centre, hotel and the recreational activities;
- Architectural plan and design of the spa resort, as well as organization of the spa management, personnel and policies;
- Planning the types of equipment and production space needed;
- Elaborating preliminary concept about the spa products (types, design of the spa area, etc.), including marketing strategy.
Once established, the spa resort should follow the spa trends, market changes and demands. With the proper spa management, the developmental planning can control the pace and direction of this changes.
What includes a modern spa resort
Most of the spa resorts today are well-arranged and offer splendid facilities and wellness services for a complete sensation of well-being. There you can find various types of accommodation, ranging from comfortable apartments to luxurious hotels; restaurants and bars with local and international cuisine, as well as various leisure activities (ski arena, golf courses, tennis courts, etc.). The spa destinations feature also business centres especially for those that are looking to combine work with relaxation.
Although hydrotherapy is the main spa treatment, the advance of the technologies does not require anymore the new spa centres to be located near mineral or thermal waters, as it was in Roman times. The treatments offered at these spa resorts range from dry treatments (various massages, body wraps, etc.) and wet procedures (Vichy shower, hydrotherapy) to wellness therapies (various types of inhalations and healing therapies) and beauty treatments. The spa centre usually includes sauna, steam bath, herbal steam bath and spa pool with its different modifications (outdoor and indoor pool, therapeutic pool, whirlpool or intimate pool for balneotherapy). In the beauty salon you will be offered facials and beauty services, such as manicures and pedicures. Depending on the location of the spa resort and the abundance of natural resources, the list of spa services can include fangotherapy (mud baths and body scrubs) or thalassotherapy (treatments with sea water and marine extracts). The spa procedures are performed in the appropriate ambience, for complete relaxation many of them combined also with aromatherapy.
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