BANYAN TREE SPA CONFERRED THE TRAVEL HALL OF FAME HONORARY TITLE AT THE 26TH ANNUAL TTG TRAVEL AWARDS 2015

Monday 05 October 2015 16:41
Banyan Tree Spa has been inducted into the coveted Travel Hall of Fame after clinching the Best Spa Operator title for 10 consecutive years at the annual Travel Trade Gazette (TTG) Travel Awards.

Reputed as the most influential awards in the region, the annual TTG Travel Awards celebrates the finest luminaries of the travel industry and serves as a benchmark for highest industry standards. Winners of the TTG Travel Awards are determined by 150,000 votes from professionals of the travel trade and readers of TTG print and online titles across Asia-Pacific, including TTG Asia, TTG China, TTG India, TTGmice, TTG-BTmice China and TTG Asia Luxury, to bestow the titles of industry's best.

The TTG Travel Hall of Fame was inaugurated in 2002, with the objective of establishing a permanent home in honour of our region's most exceptional organisations. Inductees into this elite group are conferred the title of Travel Hall of Fame honorary for the impressive record of winning the same prestigious award for 10 consecutive years. Attaining the travel industry's discerning votes and recognition for being the unsurpassed leader in its field for one whole decade is tantamount to achieving the coveted status of utmost excellence.

"We are deeply honoured to receive the Best Spa Operator Award for the past 10 consecutive years and be inducted into the prestigious TTG Travel Hall of Fame this year. We are grateful to our valuable guests for their unwavering support. Our spa therapists and staff members, professionally trained by our accredited Banyan Tree Spa Academy, strive to deliver the best holistic spa experience through continual innovation and maintaining focus on distinctive in-house training. This honorary is a testimony of the hard work and strong commitment to service excellence. This award is dedicated to all Banyan Tree Spa associates worldwide, and will spur us to achieve greater heights." says Ms Kanruethai Roongruang, Vice President/Executive Director – Global Operations of Banyan Tree Spa & Gallery.

Internationally Recognised

With its consistent efforts and pursuit for excellence, Banyan Tree Spa was recognised by the 2015 Hurun Best of the Best Awards as the Best Spa Brand for the ninth year, the DestinAsian Readers' Choice Awards 2015 as the Favourite Spa Chain in the World for the third year, and the China Hotel Starlight Award 2014 as Best Spa Operator for the seventh year. Banyan Tree Spa Academy was the winner of In-Spa Training of the Year in the renowned AsiaSpa Awards 2014, 2012 PATA Gold Award in Education and Training,and Best Spa Academy of the Year for the third year at SpaChina Awards 2012.

In addition, Banyan Tree Spa Phuket came in first in the Top 25 Spa Hotels & Resorts category in the SmartTravelAsia.com 2015 Best In Travel Poll, and was recognised as one of The Best Overseas Hotel Spas in the Conde Nast Traveller 18th Annual Readers' Travel Awards 2015. Banyan Tree Spa Sanctuary Phuket had also garnered Outstanding Performance Award for Health Tourism - Destination Spa (Nationwide) by Thailand Tourism Awards 2015.

Sanctuary for the Senses

When Banyan Tree Spa opened in Phuket, Thailand in 1994, it pioneered the tropical garden spa concept with its Asian therapies and holistic focus on spiritual, mental and physical harmony. As one of the pioneer Oriental spas in Asia, it reintroduced an exotic blend of ancient health and beauty practices which have been passed down from generation to generation.

Banyan Tree Spa Philosophy

Like the tropical and sacred tree from which it got its name, the Banyan Tree Spa offers guests a sanctuary for the senses – a place for physical, mental and spiritual renewal. To achieve this, the spa focuses on a non-clinical and holistic approach based on traditional Asian healing therapies. It emphasises on a 'high-touch, low-tech' approach that celebrates the human touch and the use of natural herbs and spices.

Banyan Tree Spa Academy

The first of its kind in Thailand, Banyan Tree Spa Academy in Phuket, Thailand, opened in May 2001 with the objectives of training competent therapists to meet the demands of the Banyan Tree Spa's rapid worldwide expansion and to enable Banyan Tree Spa to formalise its unique school of thought and maintain its leadership position in the spa industry.

The Banyan Tree Spa Academy trains a dedicated group of therapists for both Banyan Tree Spas and Angsana Spas worldwide. The Spa Academy is renowned for its distinctive in-house training and development programmes for its spa therapists as well as development of its unique signature techniques and treatment recipes. Banyan Tree Spa Academy enters its 14th year of operation as an educational institute and has trained over 1,900 dedicated therapists.

Spa therapists are formally trained in the art of touch based on the stringent curriculum of the accredited Banyan Tree Spa Academies and they undergo at least 350 hours of rigorous theoretical and practical training.

Following the opening of Banyan Tree Spa Academy Phuket, Banyan Tree Spa Academy Bintan in Indonesia was established to support the global expansion of Banyan Tree Spas and Angsana Spas.

In 2003, Banyan Tree Spa extended its reach into China to train dedicated Chinese spa therapists, well versed to deliver the high service standards of the Banyan Tree Spa and Angsana Spa experience in China. Master trainers provide intensive in-spa training at individual spa outlets worldwide including Greater China to coach therapists in all areas of Banyan Tree Spa and Angsana Spa service delivery.

Banyan Tree Spa continues to raise the bar in the evolving spa and wellness industry, strengthening its brand presence in the global spa scene and amongst global travellers. With over 450 spa awards and accolades, the intuitive art of touch is the key to its expansion and global footprints, growing from one Banyan Tree Spa in 1994 to become one of the largest spa operators in Asia today.