Latest spa research has identified spa numbers in Singapore have grown 63%, since 2003 with 173 spas currently open and operating.

The high response rate to the survey enabled spa benchmarks to be calculated by type of spa (day spas versus hotel spas), as well as by key locations such as the Orchard Road area, the Marina area and the Financial District. The report, entitled Spa Industry Profile Singapore 2003-2008, features over 800 quantitative statistics on the Singapore spa market as well as supporting qualitative trends and observations from spa owners and managers.

Some key industry totals and averages extracted from the report include:

• Intelligent Spas identified 173 spa facilities located in Singapore.
• 58% of spas are stand-alone day spas and 14% are hotel spas.
• The average indoor area of spa facilities was 603 square metres.
• 54% of the total spa space was allocated to treatment rooms.
• Spas contained 8.7 treatment rooms on average.
• 88% of spas provided a relaxation room.
• Aromatherapy was practised by 97% of spas.
• Baths with water and/or air jets were offered by 83% of respondents.
• One hour body wraps were priced from SGD108, on average.
• Herbal tea was the most common complimentary food or beverage item provided by spas, with 96% offering it to visitors.
• The main industry trend observed by spa managers and owners was the competitive and affordable treatment prices currently being offered at spas.

Julie Garrow, Managing Director of Intelligent Spas stated "although the Singapore spa industry is relatively mature, it is constantly changing and spa numbers are predicted to grow another 11% over the next two years. This report provides a valuable update for businesses competing in, or supporting Singapore's spa industry, and may be used to more accurately develop and plan spa-related products, services, campaigns and initiatives".

Some more specific survey findings included:

• Day spas were larger in terms of indoor space when compared to hotel spas.
• Hotel spas contained more treatment rooms than day spas.
• Steam rooms were more commonly found in hotel spas.
• Day spas were more likely to include tub soaks on their spa menus.
• Spas in the Marina area had the largest number of treatment rooms on average.
• A higher proportion of spas in the Orchard Road area offered weight loss programs compared to spas in other areas.

Source: Intelligent Spas, Spa Industry Profile Singapore 2003-2008

 About the Research

The research primarily aimed to establish updated and reliable industry benchmarks for key infrastructure and operations indicators, encourage businesses to better understand, service and support the spa industry, provide accurate data for the media to reference and generate greater awareness of the spa industry to promote growth in visitation numbers.

The comprehensive profile of the Singapore spa industry includes over 800 quantitative survey results relating to spa types, locations, business models, capture rates from primary facilities such as hotels and resorts, infrastructure, supporting facilities, therapies, treatments and programs offered, plus current industry trends. A selection of key survey findings are also broken down to identify benchmarks for day spas versus hotel spas, as well as key location. Qualitative observations from spa owners and managers are also summarised. Supporting sections provide a detailed description of the research methodology, an overview of the value of industry statistics and useful facts and information about Singapore.

The new Spa Industry Profile Singapore 2003-2008 report is available for purchase and immediate download from www.IntelligentSpas.com

How to Use Spa Industry Statistics as a Business Tool

Like any other small, medium or large business, it is imperative that analysis and planning activities be conducted to minimise the risk of failure. One of the first questions to ask yourself is "how is my business doing?" and this can easily be answered by comparing your spa's performance against industry averages. The overall industry average for your country is a useful guideline, however where the survey response rates are high enough, industry averages may be broken down further to enable more accurate analysis by calculating, for example, industry averages for your particular type of spa and industry averages for your spa's specific location.

Unique and common facilities and service offerings may also be measured and analysed to assist the planning for the business' future. Consider: At what point does a facility or service offering change from a consumer novelty to a consumer expectation? If for example, a high proportion of spas offer a relaxation room, one may assume as spa consumers become more experienced, they may come to expect a relaxing area within a spa and be disappointed if they do not have the opportunity to enjoy that type of facility before and/or after their spa treatment.