Abstract:
This is a qualitative research. The purposes of this research were to study the present condition of spa services in Phuket Province. The sample subjects consisted of administrators and managers of spas in Phuket. An in-depth interview was used to collect the data for this study. The results of the analysis were as follows: Strategies: Most of the spa administrators employed the marketing mix strategy of 7 areas: product, price, distribution channel, promotion, personnel, process and physical environment.
Spa Structure: Most of the respondents had divided the spa business into two types: department oriented for big sized day spas; job oriented for small and resort spas. Personnel: Administrators or managers of the health spas must have obtained certificates for spa operation from the Ministry of Public Health, where as the staff must have been trained properly based on the standard of the Ministry of Public Health. Skills: Administrators or managers of the health spas must have knowledge about spa services for health, and possess skills in languages, personnel management, marketing and administration. Core Value: Administrators or managers of the health spas had to establish the identity of their spas based on the Thainess, good attitudes towards the spa business for the quality of services. Administrative Style: Administrators or managers of the health spas should have good relationship skills, provide opportunity for the staff to give opinions and treat all staff equally. Working Style: Most of the administrators or managers of the health spas in Phuket operated and controlled the spas based on the plan of their organizations. Regarding the standard of the spas for health, it was revealed that most of the spas in Phuket had successfully operated their business based on the standards of the Ministry of Public Health. Most of the spas were clean and hygienic; their products, locations as well as their atmosphere were good. The staff were found to be polite and professional. The price was reasonable. There was a variety of products, and all of the products were safe. The duration and quality of services were found to be appropriate.