Global professionals and experts in spa management and the health and wellness sector will be meeting in Bangkok for the World Spa & Well-being Convention, Sept. 19 to 21. Organized by the Thai Spa Association, with sponsorship support from the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Thailand Exhibition and Convention Bureau, the event is being billed the “only gateway offering a myriad of opportunities to network, build business connections and be inspired with industry people across the region.” The spa, health and wellness sector is one of the fastest-growing niche-market segments of the Thai travel and tourism industry.

Including both prevention and curative sides, the health and wellness sector is attracting millions of visitors annually ranging from medical tourists seeking treatment for various kinds of ailments to stressed-out executives seeking relaxation therapies and industry practitioners seeking to learn the fine art of Thai massage. Last available research shows that in 2010 alone, Thailand was visited by an estimated 1.4 million medical tourists, up from 500,000 in 2001.

The research shows that average length of stay for medical tourists ranges from a brief three days for a routine check-up to three weeks or more for plastic surgery. The average expenditure of patients seeking plastic surgery is estimated at 130,000 baht ($4,075) per person (40 percent for treatment, 60 percent for travelling expenses).

In addition to the exhibition and congress, the event at the IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center will be highlighted by the Thailand Spa & Well-being Awards. Attendance is projected at 3,000 trade visitors at the exhibition, 400 congress delegates and 5,000 general public, including travel agents, spa consumers, hotel operators, spa operators, spa suppliers, spa therapists, developers and investors.

According to the organizers, “The event is designed to enhance the image of Thailand in the world spa market, upgrade quality standards and innovation of services and showcase the latest products, technology and methods to highly targeted key decision makers.”

Speakers at the congress will highlight Asian industry trends. One of the main topics of discussion will focus on helping Thai spa operators and manufacturers to prepare for the ASEAN Economic Community 2015. The Thai Spa Association was set up in 2003 and boasts roughly 450 spa businesses in Thailand and 15 countries around the globe.

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