How can a hotel capitalize on the increased interest in medical services and spas?
The pandemic and the increased interest in health issues have prompted hotels to take a closer look at medical services and spas. Business travel has dramatically decreased, with far fewer events taking place, and many meetings now taking place online. The resultant drop in hotel stays by business customers is forcing them to look at new ways to fill their rooms.
Collaborations with nearby spas
Hotels with the resources are adding medical and spa facilities to their properties, whilst those who do not are collaborating with their local health centers to create a joint product, with a hotel stay for post-treatment recovery. Of course, this all depends on the hotel’s financial capabilities, design, location, and the effectiveness of their collaboration with these facilities.
By using this type of approach, hotel revenue can be greatly increased. After switching to medical services, a 3/4-star hotel that usually sells rooms at 4–6000 rubles per night, can, with just the addition of a massage course or a spa, easily sell a room for 8–10,000 rubles.
At sanatoriums, the prices can be even higher. The accommodation already includes 3–4 meals a day and on-site services such as massage, cryo-sauna, physical therapy, Sharko shower, and therapeutic mud. Whilst these packages do not add much to the cost, the room can be sold for 10–12 thousand rubles per person, and in some cases much more.
Increased lengths of stay
Over the past few years’ customer demands have changed. Hotels, which until 2019 relied heavily on the business market, realized that they had to change and refocus on domestic tourists and the holiday trade. Hoteliers became aware of how successful, sanatoriums, health resorts, and spas had become, so naturally, they took an interest.
Hotels have been converted to meet these health and wellness opportunities for guest stays of 2 or 3 nights, but some programs have treatments that can last up to two weeks. These longer stays result in increased income and reduced costs, since there is no need for the daily washing of bed linen, and maid service is only needed every 3-days.
Technology for efficiency
A consequence of supplying spa and medical services is the need to recruit the right staff, not only to provide massages or check-ups but to administer and prescribe treatments that are not included in the package. If a guest comes to a spa hotel that has special meals, physical therapy, and the salt room already included, then they will need additional motivation from their physician to purchase any additional services.
Spa and medical management systems are designed to ensure that the medical staff member knows that the additional services they have sold will be accurately reflected in the system. It will record the presales that a staff member has made and ensure that a report is generated to the medical centre management. This is a good incentive for the doctor or spa specialist to offer treatments that are not included in the standard package.
An intelligent system is one that records presales and offers the health centre or spa employee options that are compatible with the guest’s stay package. Staff will be credited for the results of their work, and the client is satisfied that everything possible has been done to restore their health and relaxation.
Resale and in-room shopping
HRS works closely with sanatoriums, spas, and medical centers, therefore we are constantly developing our TNG system to meet the requirements of the wellness industry. We also listen to spa employees who suggest additional functions that can be added.
The system can also account for any pre-sales and provide the guest with the opportunity to spend money in the spa and sanatorium without the need to carry cash or a card. TNG creates a deposit on the premises, this allows the guest to spend their virtual money freely.
HRS has worked with spas that have installed our system to develop a feature that considers a guest’s suitability for a specific treatment. For example, if a guest is not advised to have a massage after a Charcot shower, the medical receptionist will see this information when booking the appointment. All suggestions for treatments by the TNG system strictly follow professional medical guidelines.
Guests will continue to focus on health and wellness, consequently, hotels that have medical and spa treatments amongst their services will be able to significantly increase their revenue. Data automation and consolidation within a single system is an important tool to help health resorts and hotels to simplify the increased staff workload, as well as increase the level of comfort for their guests.
Author: Denis Lapyko
HRS Area Manager
This article has been originally published on hotel.report on February 17, 2022.
The TNG Medical Module is only available in select countries.
