SPA WORLD

The word "spa"

conjures up images of long days filled with mud baths and meditation classes, exquisitely prepared spa cuisine, and fragrant eucalyptus groves.
But spas, lately, seem to be popping up everywhere: office buildings, strip malls, village storefronts. Salons with one tiny massage table tout their spa services. Even nail places call themselves spa pedicures. How can they all be spas?

For one thing, there are several different types of spas. The first kind is a destination spa. At a day spa you just drop in for treatments like massage, facials and body treatments Often, day spas are an extension of a hair salon, which is fine as long as the spa is a separate wing that offers a quiet, serene, environment.

But no one is regulating use of the word spa. That's why some salons promote spa services when all they have is one massage table, or use names like "spa pedicure." If you have any doubt, check out the facilities yourself before booking an appointment. Just drop in and ask for a quick tour. At a minimum, a day spa should offer professionally administered massages, facials and body treatments in a quiet, serene atmosphere.

There's also a huge range of experiences at resort spas. Again, no one is regulating the use of the name, so it could be anything from one massage room next to the fitness center to a multi-million facility. You should do research on the facilities before you book.

There's even a difference with destination spas, ranging from small specialty inns to Canyon Ranch , which has a staff of physicians, psychologists, nutritionists and physical therapists. It offers so many classes, lectures and services that and so many things going on that you could spend months there and still not experience them all.
What does it mean? It's up to you, the spa-goer, to figure out what kind of service and experience you want, and find the place that suits you.

Types of spa
Club spa - A facility whose primary purpose is fitness and which offers a variety of professionally administered spa services on a day-use basis.
Cruise ship spa – A spa aboard a cruise ship providing professionally administered spa services, fitness and wellness components and spa cuisine menu choices.
Day spa – A spa offering a variety of professionally administered spa services to clients on a day-use basis.
Dental spa – A facility under the supervision of a licensed dentist that combines traditional dental treatment with the services of a spa.
Destination spa - A destination spa is a facility with the primary purpose of guiding individual spa-goers to develop healthy habits. Historically a seven-day stay, this lifestyle transformation can be accomplished by providing a comprehensive program that includes spa services, physical fitness activities, wellness education, healthful cuisine and special interest programming.
Medical spa - A facility that operates under the full-time, on-site supervision of a licensed health care professional whose primary purpose is to provide comprehensive medical and wellness care in an environment that integrates spa services, as well as traditional, complimentary and/or alternative therapies and treatments. The facility operates within the scope of practice of its staff, which can include both aesthetic/cosmetic and prevention/wellness procedures and services. These spas typically use balneotherapy, employing a variety of peloids.

"Balneotherapy treatments can have different purposes. In a spa setting, they can be used to treat conditions such as arthritis and backache, build up muscles after injury or illness or to stimulate the immune system, and they can be enjoyed as a relief from day-to-day stress."[16]
Mineral springs spa - A spa offering an on-site source of natural mineral, thermal or seawater used in hydrotherapy treatments.

Resort/hotel spa - A spa owned by and located within a resort or hotel providing professionally administered spa services, fitness and wellness components and spa cuisine menu choices.
Mobile spa - A spa which provides services at home, hotels, or wherever you are

ONE OF THE BEST TOURISM-LAND OF SMILE(THAILAND)

Tourist numbers have grown from 336,000 foreign visitors and 54,000 R&R soldiers in 1967[2] to over 14 million international guests visiting Thailand in 2007. The average duration of their stay in 2007 was 9.19 days, generating an estimated 547,782 million Thai baht, around 11 billion Euro.[4] In 2007, Thailand was the 18th most visited country in the World Tourism rankings with 14.5 million visitors. France, comparable to Thailand in land area and population, led the list with nearly 82 million foreign visitors.[5]
According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand,[6] 55% of the tourists in 2007 came from the Asia Pacific region, Japanese and Malaysians forming the two biggest groups. The largest groups of Western tourists come from the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, the United States and Scandinavia. The number of tourists arriving from the Middle East and Russia is on the rise.[7] Around 55% of Thailand's tourists are return visitors. The peak period is during the Christmas and New Year holidays when Western tourists flee the cold conditions back home.

Domestic tourism has also grown significantly in the past decade. Revenues from domestic tourism have gone from 187,898 million baht in 1998 to 380,417 million baht (approximately 7.8 billion Euro) in 2007.[4]
Asian tourists primarily visit Thailand for Bangkok and the historical, natural and cultural sights in its vicinity. Western tourists not only visit Bangkok and surroundings but in addition many travel down to the southern beaches and islands. The North is the main region for trekking and adventure travel with its diverse ethnic minority groups and forested mountains. The region receiving less tourists is Isan in the north-east. To facilitate foreign visitors, the Thai government established a separate tourism police with offices in the major tourist areas and its own central emergency telephone number.[8]
It can't be denied that sex tourism also contributes to arrival numbers. Although officially illegal, prostitution in Thailand is monitored and regulated by the government to stem the spread of STD's and to prevent excesses. Prostitution catering to foreigners is believed to be around 20% of the total prostitution scene in Thailand, and is concentrated in a few major red-light districts such as Pattaya, Patpong and Patong Beach.[9]
Thailand has been receiving increased competition ever since Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam opened up to international tourism in the 1980s and 90s. Destinations like Angkor Wat, Luang Prabang and Halong Bay now contest Thailand's former monopoly in the Indochina region. To counter this, Thailand is actively targeting niche markets such as golf holidays, or holidays combined with medical treatment. Around 2 million foreigners visiting Thailand for medical treatment are expected in 2009, more than 3 times the amount of tourist visiting for that purpose in 2002.[10] According to Lonely Planet, Thailand ranks second of "Best-value destinations for 2010" after Iceland; the latter having been hit very hard by the subprime mortgage crisis.[11]
[edit] Positive trends forecast for 2010

The easing of the monetary crisis, the renewed vigorous growth of the Chinese economy, the relatively stable internal political situation following the 2008–2009 Thai political crisis and the 2009 flu pandemic having less of an impact as initially feared, have changed the tourism outlook for 2010. Thailand experienced a decrease of international visitors of 16% over the first six months of 2009 but the last four months of 2009 have seen a return of foreign tourists to Thailand with a marked increase in the months of November and December.

The provisional numbers for 2009 have now been revised upwards to close to 14 million international visitors, which is a decrease of only 4% compared to 2008. Initially, it was feared that 2009 would show a decrease of 38% for certain sectors of the tourism industry. The new marketing slogan which was adopted in mid 2009, Amazing Thailand, Amazing Value, and the government stimulation package, also seemed to have helped reversing the downward trend for the latter half of 2009 and for the present year. If no unforeseen circumstances arise in 2010, international tourist arrivals are expected to grow 7 to 10% and number between 15 and 15.5 million. Domestic tourism is also forecast to increase due to a stronger Thai economy which is expected to grow by 3 to 4% in 2010.]

HOSPITALITY MALDIVES

MALDIVES

Sun, sand and sea, a thousand ‘Robinson Crusoe’ islands, massive lagoons with different depths and infinite shades of blue and turquoise, dazzling underwater coral gardens; a perfect natural combination for the ideal tropical holiday destination. However there is more to the Maldives than just that.

Holidays in Maldives

Spend a relaxing spa holiday in sunny Maldives and be mesmerized with stretches of naturally formed atolls alive with marine activity. There are 26 natural atolls in Maldives islands that complement pristine pure beaches and aquamarine lagoons.Enjoy the treasures of Banana reef; see the markets and mosques of Male, maldives accommodation, Maldives islands, the capital of Maldives and enjoy the vistas at Addu atoll with Tourism in Maldives. The coral islands of enchanting Maldives are akin to glittering jewels afloat the turquoise Indian Ocean. Date sea birds and abundant marine treasures, maldive island resorts scuba dive, snorkel and swim while you celebrate tropical Maldives. maldives honeymoons in style on pure white beaches fringed generously with dancing palms and tropical island trees. Tourism in Maldives is developing on a very large scale. By virtue of being a quite paradise, Maldives islands attracts peace seekers and honeymooners to come and enjoy togetherness with its unmatched locales acting as the perfect chaperone for a perfect holiday in maldives.
1190 islands clustered like brilliant diamonds on the vast Indian Ocean form the grand Maldives. Enjoy water sports and be a part of the Maldives islands spirit marked by revelry and happy enthusiasm. Of the 1190, only 202 islands are inhabited. Find out more on tours to Maldives by visiting the web links mentioned below:

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