Tria looks for oversess spa ventures

The wellness centre is part of Piyavate Hospital's Bt10-billion business plan, which was expected to be completed in 2010.

"We are looking for two to three locations to expand TRIA to tap the overseas market in the Middle East, north Asia and central Europe," said Peter Lindner, general manager of TRIA Integrative Wellness.

He said the centre was interested in locations that are top-10 cities such as Shanghai or Beijing in north Asia and London or Frankfurt in central Europe.

TRIA, located behind Piyavate Hospital on Rama 9 Road in Bangkok, was set up with an investment of Bt500 million in 2007 by Dr Boon Vanasin, who is also a majority shareholder of Piyavate Hospital.

Nalin Vanasin, president of TRIA Integrative Wellness and also daughter of Boon, said that after offering its services last year, the centre was so successful in terms of quality of services that it won two awards from leading international spa magazines.

"The long-term growth strategy is to not confine TRIA only to Bangkok," she said, adding it would be expanded abroad as a franchising business.

TRIA was awarded the 'Best Spa Day' in Asia by Spa Asia magazine based in Singapore, and 'Medispa of the Year' by Asia Spa magazine based in Hong Kong. Asia Spa has an annual circulation of 120,000.

"This is a reflection of TRIA's quality of treatment and services as well as good philosophy and teamwork," said Nalin.

TRIA is considered an urban retreat that can provide a variety of treatment services combined with medical technology and traditional healing therapies as well as nutrition and fitness programmes, she added.

TRIA's customers comprise 10 per cent foreigners, 45 per cent Thais, and 45 per cent expatriates, said Nalin.

"Our wellness centre's customers overseas come from different countries. Therefore, we have been slightly impacted from the fall-out of the global economic crisis," she said.

Lindner, however, saw opportunity in the crisis. There are now many stressed people from the economic slowdown, he said.

"The bottom line here is how to change our daily lifestyles in a bid to live longer with better lives," he said.

Nalin said the centre could serve people who have risks from heart attack and diabetes as well as allergies.

She said TRIA's total revenue was expected to meet its target of Bt60 million and to grow by 100 per cent next year.