FOREIGN clients play an important role in the success of Slovak spas, and the industry hopes to attract even greater numbers. According to Ivana Labudová, a marketing professional at the Rajecké Teplice spa, foreign visitors significantly influence spas to increase the quality of accommodation and treatment procedures.
Demands of foreign visitors are higher because they are used to a higher standard of services in their country. Quality services are becoming increasingly important to Slovaks who are sometimes willing to pay more for them.
Spas want to increase their number of foreign visitors but at the same maintain Slovak clients, especially paying visitors, who are still considered an important target group.
"Slovak clients are starting to have greater demands because the price for the stay in a spa is gradually reaching the level of the price for a holiday spent abroad. We suppose that Slovak clients will continue to be our major clientele. During recent times, the stays of paying customers, both local and foreign, are playing a more important role. Focussing our efforts on this group seems to be the best option [for the future of spa]," Labudová said.
Labudová also thinks that clients from the Czech Republic, Ukraine and Russia will increase. She thinks that relaxation and reconditioning stays will prevail in this group of visitors.
Jana Obertová, a public relations specialist at Slovenské liečebné kúpele Piešťany, said: "We see an increase of interest among Slovak and Czech clients in relaxation and regeneration stays. We believe that this tendency will grow and we will adjust our offers according to this trend. We also see more and more companies expressing an interest in stays and treatments for their employees."
Foreign clients have long been visiting the Piešťany spa. Visitors from Germany, the Czech Republic, Israel, Arabic countries and Austria share 61 percent of the number of spent nights in the spa.
Slovak guests represent the remaining 39 percent. Piešťany spa is trying to develop marketing activities in some countries of the former Soviet Union and Scandinavian countries.
In the Smrdáky spa, Slovak clients prevail. If there are any foreign visitors, they come from the Czech Republic and Germany.
Rajecké Teplice spa has Slovak as well as foreign guests, especially from the Czech Republic, Poland, Germany and Austria.
