Spas a potential billion ringgit business

Wow, a POTENTIAL billion ringgit worth of business. Show some statistics and financial return expected value. At least a ROI or IRR stuff. DOH.

O ya, what else Malaysia can rely on to make $$ beside Crude Oil and CPO? Have you heard of Brain Drain?

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Spas a potential billion ringgit business


THE spa industry can be the balm to heal the unemployment problem across the country but only if the unemployed are willing to work in this sector.

“The spa industry is an important contributor to the tourism industry and there is a strong demand for local spa products,” said Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Deputy Minister Datuk Khamsiah Yeop.

“The spa industry, being a service industry, requires a lot of workers.

Currently, we are employing foreign workers. Locals should get into the business as it has the potential to be a billion ringgit business.”

Speaking at the opening of the 2nd Asia Spa and Wellness Festival 2007, Khamsiah also told reporters that the government was looking into developing a spa school to train locals to master the field.

“The Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) is interested in developing a spa school. The ministry certainly encourages this as it will develop local talents in a very lucrative industry,” she said.

MAH president Datuk Mohd Ilyas Zainol Abidin said the festival could help the local industry players benchmark themselves against the best international players.

“We call on hotels and resorts to set up spas as part of their service for guests. If they do not have the expertise, they can always call for independent spas to operate within their premises.

“From our experience, the moment we have spas as part of our hotel attraction, our occupancy rates can increase up to 20 per cent,” said Mohd Ilyas. — Bernama