How Phum Baitang has put the ‘wow’ factor into wellness treatments for Chinese tourists
Spa manager at a Cambodian resort says these guests are most interested in treatments indigenous to the location
“Our Chinese guests are increasing each year and they have a high level of interest in spa wellness treatments,” says Mariano Lim Pefanco Jnr, spa manager at Phum Baitang, a resort in Siem Reap, Cambodia, and a member of Design Hotels. “They are interested in treatments they’re not familiar with. They are also looking for a ‘wow’ factor from the facility and they expect to try unique and authentic treatments indigenous to the location.” Pefanco says this emphasis on unique treatments with a local touch is evident among the resort’s millennial guests.
“Millennials are the fastest-growing market and more than half of them are spa-goers.
“Since Phum Baitang opened, I’ve observed that our millennial guests are most interested in unique and effective treatments from our Spa Temple menu, especially those focused on herbal and organic indigenous ingredients.”
Pefanco considers millennials the “core spa-going generation for years to come” and says that stress reduction is a primary reason for their well-being-related travel plans – one of the reasons yoga activities or retreats are so popular among this age group. Given this generation’s relationship with the internet and the instant gratification it provides, it’s no surprise that quickly visible effects are key when it comes to enticing them to stay.
“As a spa expert, my approach for millennial spa-goers focuses on trends, treatments and services that give immediate results. I always keep a close eye on this generation as they will be shaping spa trends for years to come.”
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