Benefits of Spa and Health Department - Chinese Hotel - Research Paper Example

Heading: Benefits of Spa and Health Department Your name: Course name: Professors’ name: Date Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Chapter 1 3 The introduction 3 Problem statement 3 Background 3 Rationale 4 Significance 5 Objectives 5 Chapter 2 6 Literature Review 6 Chapter 3 11 Methodology/Research design 11 Data collection 11 Informal discussion 12 In-depth interviews 12 Case studies 13 Data collection instruments 13 Procedure 15 Ethical concerns 15 Chapter 4 16 Research results 16 Chapter 5 17 Discussion and Data analysis 17 Conclusion 19 References 20 Chapter 1 The introduction Hospitality industry, like any other business, is striving to attract many customers in order to increase their services. In that case, the industry is always researching on appropriate ways of attaining its objectives. In such an industry, the ultimate goal is to meet its client’ needs in order to increase the percentage of the returning customers as well as attracting others. Some of the ways of realizing this is through creating healthy and spa departments in its facilities. Therefore, this paper seeks to illuminate on ways in which the spa and healthy services is beneficial to Chinese. In order to succeed, the paper uses a study that includes background information, problem statement, rationale, literature review, results, discussion and summary. Problem statement The problem of in the Chinese hotel is that there insufficient development of the health and spa departments. Background Chinese hotels are likely to benefit from the spa and health departments in many ways. Spa industry is currently facing a very fast development and, in turn, this has an effect on the industry’s human resources management. With the steady growth of the industry and the doubling spas doubling throughout the year, the industry is reaching out to numerous directions in order to meet all its demands. In the last ten years, the spa industry has experienced challenges in meeting the market demands for experts, training schools, and academic instructors. Currently many academic institutions have incorporated spa education in their system in order to emphasize the importance of the health and spa departments in the hospitality industry. Studies show that about 90% of the spa experts obtain their knowledge from their workmates, and have advanced their expertise from on-the-job training and work experience. Nevertheless, the spa industry’s fast growth and the manner in which it carries itself is unhealthy, it is likely to cause the industry adverse problems in the future. Due to a lot of government support and adequate marketing in the Asian, the health and spa industries have recently become popular. This popularity is instrumental in the increasing demand for the services both locally and internationally. Evidently, the spas and health services have become one of the major sources of income; hence, raising GDP all over Asia due to unique services worldwide. In Chinese hotels, spa and health services are gaining popularity as the people understand their benefits. There are many benefits of the spa and health industry in the Chinese hospitality industry. Some of them include enhancement of the spiritual awareness, improvement of body’s flexibility; reduction of the aging effects, stimulation of circulation, healing of emotional stress, soothing of the exhausted muscles, reduction of insomnia, fatigue and stress, and the increase in the body’s energy levels. Therefore, the research is structured in such a way that the background information of the study is provided, its rationale, significance or need of the research, objectives, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, summary and conclusion are addressed in the same order. Rationale The rationale of this study is to find ways in which the development of the spa and health departments is going to be beneficial to the Chinese hotels. In the recent past, the Chinese hotel as faced stiff competition from other Asian hotels, such as, those in Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea, Philippines, Cambodia, and Myanmar. Therefore, as one of the strategies of performing better than its competitors, there is a need for the Chinese hotels to adopt and develop the spa and health department. Significance This information is significant to the hospitality organizations because it will help them gain wider market share through the effective satisfaction of clients’ needs. The information does not only benefit the hoteliers, but is also helps the improvement of the clients’ health conditions. As a result, the research findings are beneficial in the improvement of the country’s economic activity through the increase in the GDP. Need for study The need for this study is help in development of spa and health department in Chinese hotels. Objectives This research is aimed at finding out ways in which the development of the health and spa services will be beneficial to the hospitality industry in China. The research also examines the level of level at which spa and health services are utilized in Chinese hospitality industry. Additionally, the study looks are benefits of the spa services to human health, and particularly the customers of the Chinese hotels. In additionally, through the literature review, examines the already existing information on the research question and compares it with the research findings in order to make conclusions. Research questions 1. What are the general benefits of spa services to human beings? 2. To what level is the Chinese hospitality industry employing spa and health services? 3. What are the benefits of spa and health departments on Chinese Hotels? Chapter 2 Literature Review To start with, it is vital to extensively explore the importance of spa services to human health. There are many studies that demonstrate benefits associated with the incorporation of spa and health services in the hospitality industry. In fact, over the past a thousand years, people have discovered the importance of spa industry nowadays, especially in the hospitality industry. As the primary concept of the spa concept, hydrotherapy forms both and relaxing experience through its three major ingredients, which include buoyancy, message and heat (Lindlof 2011, pp. 170-170). the warm water used in spa services has the potential of dilating blood vessels; and hence, increases blood flow to sore or damaged tissues and trigger the recovery process by permitting oxygen and different nutrients into the body (Palmer 2004, pp. 13-18). In addition, the process of soaking one’s body in a hot spa is instrumental in removing lactic acid, which has built up in the muscles in the exercise, and eradicates the stiffness after a physical activity. Therefore, warm spa has been useful in the rehabilitative therapies, and is many physiotherapists and physicians. Moreover, Harcup & Harrington (2004, pp. 54-60) say that spa has been found to be very instrumental in relieving numerous diseases, such as, arthritis and diabetes. According of various studies show that diabetic individuals that soak regularly in hot spa are likely to minimize their blood sugar levels and enhance their sleeping patterns (Palmer 2004, pp. 13-18). For the arthritis patients, hydrotherapy is beneficial in that it has positive effects when used regularly. It is instrumental in the restoration of joint flexibility as well as maintaining them, and protecting them for damage. Hence, individuals with such problems will manage to discomfort and pain while doing some physical activity. Since stress is part of everyday life that is causes the heart to overwork and thus slowing down the digestion. According to Harcup & Harrington (2004, pp. 54-60), 80% of the ailments are caused by stress since they have negative effects on the body. In addition, in spa, message is helpful in the stimulation of the discharge of endorphins. Consequently, one is able to get rid of the accumulated stress and feeling because he is feeling. Lindlof (2011, pp. 170-170) says spa services can be enjoyed during all seasons of the year, particular in winter since people’s skins get dry and cracked because of the cold service. Another benefit of having spa services is that it allows individuals to undergo fangotherapy. This is a curative process that involves a combination of peat, clay and mud that heals purpose of different disorders. These elements have ability to preserve heat and have a positive effect on detoxification, blood circulation, and it relieves injuries and pains. Additionally, there are fango that has inflammatory impact and is instrumental in preventing soft-tissue disorders. Moreover, the benefit of clay elements is that it leaves skin the gentle and smooth (Lindlof 2011, pp. 170-176). On the other hand, mud and peat is influential in the softening of the skin’s texture, normalizing its ph, and this explains why fangotherapy is appropriate for oily and dry skins. In the process, the procedure is unique because they include body covering with warm and thick mud, but the impact is great. Another therapy offered by spa services to human beings is the thalassotherapy that entails numerous treatments, which have positive effects on human skin, enhances general sense of well-being, and relieves stress (Harcup & Harrington 2004, pp. 54-60). The treatment is used in various ways, such as; warmed seawater showers, marine mud or algae paste application, and sea fog inhalation. Lindlof (2011, pp. 170-170) asserts that some of the sea water elements include calcium, sodium, magnesium and sulphates, and are believed to aid the skin pores. Others include seaweed help in the contribution of bacterialstatic, antiviral, and antibiotic properties. Consequently, the therapy can also help in the relaxing and fighting the aging symptoms and minimizes the cellulite and rejuvenates the body. Another importance of the therapy is that it aids with diseases like respiratory disorders (bronchitis and asthma), muscle atrophy and circulatory diseases. It also contains anti-inflammatory impact on arthritis and rheumatism (Harcup & Harrington 2004, pp. 54-60). Generally, seawater used in spa is beneficial in the improving immune system and enhancement of quality of sleep, such as, fangotherapy. Apart from its health benefits, spa and health services are beneficial in the hospitality industry in a variety of ways. In china, the use incorporation of health and spa departments in their operations is beneficial in that it attracts many customers (Harcup & Harrington 2004, pp. 54-60). This is because such services are instrumental in making such hotels the most preferred hospitality cities within a given region. For instance, in China, hotels that have spa and health departments have a larger volume of customers than others. Customers are drawn by luxurious, comfortable and curative facilities; hence, Chinese hotels use them to gain a larger market share than their competitors. Another benefit of spa and health department in Chinese hotels is that it acts as a competitive advantage to the hotels that offer the services. Creation of competitive advantage is essential in the overcoming of stiff competition by the firms as well as increasing their market share (Lindlof 2011, pp. 170-170). Increased market share in the hotels is influential in the making them market leaders, which, in turn, improves the hotels’ performances. This is because customers tend to get attracted to luxury, comfortable and cure. Therefore, studies show that spa and health services in the hospitality industry are instrumental in the realization of huge profits by the hotels concerned. Furthermore, spa and health services in Chinese hotels are crucial in the meeting of clients’ needs. Notably, all clients of a business organization have a variety of needs that should be met in order for the business to succeed. Additionally, Lindlof (2011, pp. 170-170) asserts that every organization that intends to prosper in its activities ought to satisfy its customer needs adequately before embarking on other issues. Some of the customer needs that the Chinese hotels ought to meet in order to improve its performance include security, string health, comfort, luxury, and affordable charges. Impliedly, spa and health departments benefits the Chinese hotels because they will attract as many clients as possible; hence increasing the volume of sales and the number of customers that exist and the returning ones. Therefore, both services are highly indispensable in the hospitality industry. What is more, spa and health department is beneficial to Chinese hotels because it promotes their reputation (Lindlof 2011, pp. 170-170). This is because the service is highly indispensable in that it has health-related benefits to their clients. Some of them include enhancement of the spiritual awareness, improvement of body’s flexibility; reduction of the aging effects, stimulation of circulation, healing of emotional stress, soothing of the exhausted muscles, reduction of insomnia, fatigue and stress, and the increase in the body’s energy levels (Harcup & Harrington 2004, pp. 54-60). Because the service mostly takes care of individuals’ well-being, they tend to hold high opinions about the hotels that offer the services. High reputation is significant for a business enterprise in that it increases the customer flow, widens its market share, and thus, improves its performance. In addition, it increases the country’s GDP through increased revenues from foreign exchange and other local income (Palmer 2004, pp. 13-18). Therefore, with reference to the aforementioned facts and information, it is explicit that the Chinese hotels are beneficiaries of the application of spa and health services, that is, they are widely used all over the country. Chapter 3 Methodology/Research design This study employs various methods in the collection and analysis of data. The research seeks to find out ways in which the development of spa and health department is going to be beneficial to Chinese hotels. In order to gain adequate information, the study examines general benefits of spa and health service in a hospitality industry. It also examines the level in which spa and health departments are utilized in Chinese hospitality industry. In order to achieve the set objectives, the study should have a clear and appropriate design that facilitates easier and reliable ways of collecting and analyzing data. The study uses the exploratory research method because it is influential in efficiently finding answers to the set research questions. This method is also useful in the determination the most appropriate research design, collection of data, and subject selection. Since the problem of the research is unclearly defined, the research method chosen is quiet appropriate. It also depends on secondary study, such as, literature review, or qualitative ways like informal discussions with employees, consumers, competitors and the management. Moreover, the research method applies some formal approaches that include focus groups, in-depth interviews, case studies, or projective methods. Therefore, descriptive research method is vital for this study since it will help in the generation of effective solutions to the research questions. Data collection In this particular study, there are certain data collection methods that are influential in the proper gathering of information regarding the research questions. Apart from primary data, the researcher can collect secondary data from books, journals, articles, and periodicals. This information is influential in the comparison of both secondary and primary data; hence, drawing of well-informed conclusions. Some of the suitable methods to employ in this case include discussions with the management, employees and customers of various hotels in China. The research applies qualitative methods in order to obtain enough information of the study. Informal discussion This is an informal method that is significant in gathering first hand information from the hotel employees, customers and the management. Through these subjects, the researcher can collect as much information as possible as regards the research questions. It is also instrumental in the uncovering new facts and meanings of the concepts under study. Moreover, the interaction with the aforementioned subjects is critical in obtaining information from different perspectives; hence easy to make conclusions (McCarter & Caza 2009, pp. 10-16). Through this method, the researcher can get the clients’ opinions on the spa and health department is beneficial to them. Employees and the management are also crucial in sharing their views on the benefits of the department to the specific hotels since they were introduced. In the study, some of the clients, the hotel manager and some employees were interviewed on the views on the research questions. In-depth interviews According to McCarter & Caza (2009, pp. 10-16), this is a qualitative research method that entails a researcher conducting intensive separate interviews with a few respondents to examine their views on specific idea, situation or program. It questions staff, participants, and consumers related to the study on their expectation and experiences about the program, their thoughts on the services’ processes, operations and results, and changes they observe due to the introduction of the services in the firm. This method is appropriate for the research because it provides detailed data on the subjects’ behaviors and thoughts (Palmer 2004, pp. 13-18). It offers context to information, that is, provides a complete picture of what is happening to the new program and why. The method can be used instead of focus groups, especially when the possible participants are excluded or uncomfortable to openly discuss their thoughts and feelings about the service at hand. Nonetheless, the method is prone to bias, time-intensive, and that it requires that researcher to have adequate training on interviewing skills. Case studies This method allows the researchers to obtain solutions to the research questions in terms of why or how a service or program is performing in an institution. The research questions are directed to a little number if conditions or events and their interrelationships (McCarter & Caza 2009, pp. 10-16). In order succeed in question formulation; the researchers are required to carry out literature review on the topic under study. This method is suitable for this study in that it provides the research previous research findings; hence, leading to insightful and refined questions on the research problem. Since careful definitions of the research questions are provided at the beginning, there is a possibility to determine the analysis techniques used in the research. In addition, the definition of the study, literature review and early establishment of the possible audience provides guidance on how the research is designed, carried out, and publicly reported. In this study, various case studies on certain Chinese hotels are conducted by the researcher in order to obtain some information associated with the research questions. Data collection instruments In this study, some of the data collection instruments include interviews and questionnaires. In terms of interviews, the researcher can use semi-structured interviews, which is a suitable instrument of collecting data that is valid and reliable. Through this instrument, the interview formulates questions that are posed to the interviewee one after the other (McCarter & Caza 2009, pp. 10-16). This is vital in that it provides first hand and more reliable information rather than that obtained from a large group of people. Therefore, in this study, the instrument will be used to interact with the hotel managers, some employees and consumers in order to collect their views and thoughts on the benefits of spa and health department in various Chinese hotels. Secondly, the researcher can employ questionnaires as data collection instruments. According to McCarter & Caza (2009, pp. 10-16), questionnaires are suitable for a large number of people in the organization since it saves time on conducting individual interviews on every participant. Here, a researcher is required to formulate a number of close-ended questions for the participants related to the research problems, and the participants, in turn, respond to them. Since the questions have choices, it makes it easier for the participants to respond to them as well as saving a lot of time for both the researchers and the respondents. Neergaard & Ulhøi (2007, pp. 388-395) the aforementioned research methods and instruments have technological, economic, legal, operational and schedule feasibility. The research is also reliability and validity; hence making them the most appropriate. It is reliable in that if many studies are conducted by different research groups produce similar results. The kind of participants involved in the study consists of hotel employees, clients and the management. The data is the feelings, reactions, and views of the participants on the research questions (McCarter & Caza 2009, pp. 10-16). The dependent variable of the research is development of spa services while independent variable is the number of returning customers, performance of the Chinese hotel and health status of the clients. Procedure In the preparation for the study, there are some of the procedures that are necessary in order to have successfully to achieve the set objectives and aims. Firstly, the researcher will need to formulate possible hypotheses, which include general statement of the research aims and objectives of the study. The statements should precise, clear, concise, and be only utmost sentences long. The next step is writing down specific research questions that need to be answered. Nevertheless, the questions must be set in relation to all the stated objectives. The third step is literature review, which involves the studying what other people have done on the same topic. The fourth step will involve selection of the appropriate research methods, data collection techniques and instruments. The fifth step is to determine the suitable tools of data analysis and data presentation. The sixth step, the researcher uses collected and analyzed data to draw appropriate conclusions. Lastly, the researcher will then write down reports on the whole study (Neergaard & Ulhøi (2007, pp. 388-395). Ethical concerns In the study, there are certain issues that ought to be put under consideration. According to Neergaard & Ulhøi (2007, pp. 388-395), some of them include voluntary involvement of the respondents. This implies that any participant in the research should be willing to participate in it without being forced to do so. Additionally, it will be necessary to keep the all the respondents in the study anonymous. This implies that the researcher should not unnecessarily disclose their personal detail since that implies intruding and violation of their privacy. Further, the researcher is required to keeping the information keep any information provided by the respondents to be private and confidential for the sake of privacy and security issues involved in the process. Lastly, the researcher must acknowledge all the sources of the previous studies used in the study. Chapter 4 Research results After data collection, the researcher will embark on comparisons of the previous research findings by various researchers with the current results. This is vital in that it aids the researcher in final step of the study, which involves drawing of conclusions. Research results that will be obtained from the data collection instruments used in the study, such as, interviews and questionnaires. Here, the responses and thoughts of the hotel managers, employees and consumers will be analyzed by the researcher. They will be put together in preparation for the next step of data analysis and presentation. Chapter 5 Discussion and Data analysis In this section of the study, the researcher will examine and categorize research data collected from the field by both qualitative and quantitative methods. In the qualitative research, the researchers will use statistical analysis through Microsoft Office Excel in describing and specifying the collected data into charts and graphs. Additionally, the words required in summary writing at the final part of the study. On the other hand, the qualitative analysis, the interviews conducted will be explained and summarized. Next, the researcher will compare qualitative and quantitative analysis in order to determine whether the research objectives have been adequately achieved. Moreover, it necessary to provide the analysis technique with literature so as to aid the study issue by obtaining real answers. Besides, the researcher will analyze the research results in order to determine whether all the questions and objectives of the study are addressed. Basing on the analysis, the researcher will draw appropriate conclusions on the study. Consequently, the researchers are required to present details about the research in form of a report. Table of analysis Customer questions Give your answer here Do you know what Spa is? A. Yes B. No If yes, do you use it? A. Yes B. No Is it beneficial to your health? A. Yes B. No Where do you have your spa service? How often do you have it? A. once a month B. every week C. once a year D. twice a year Do you have it in the same place? Is it beneficial to the Chinese hotels? Does it make you back to the same hotel? Analysis Number of response Positive responses Negative response 50 Assumed (34) Assumed (16) The analyzed chart Chapter 6 Conclusion This proposal seeks to examine the ways in which the hospitality industry, specifically the Chinese hotels benefits from spa and health department. Besides, the study aims at exploring general benefits of spa services to the human beings. In relation to the literature review of the study, there are numerous advantages of spa services that include enhancement of the spiritual awareness, improvement of body’s flexibility; reduction of the aging effects, stimulation of circulation, healing of emotional stress, soothing of the exhausted muscles, reduction of insomnia, fatigue and stress, and the increase in the body’s energy levels. Some of the appropriate methods and instruments of collecting data include interviews, discussions, case studies and questionnaires. In the analysis of results, researchers are required to compare and contrast reactions and thoughts of various participants in order to make valid conclusions. The in the presentation of data, graphs and charts will used. Therefore, the study proposal is appropriate in the achievement of the set objectives. References Harcup, J & Harrington, J 2004, The Spa Book, Thomson Learning. Stamford. pp. 54-60. Lindlof, T 2011, Qualitative communication research methods, SAGE, Thousand Oaks, Calif. pp. 170-176. McCarter, MW & Caza, A 2009, ‘Audience Response Systems as a Data Collection Method in Organizational Research’, Journal of Management and Organization, vol. 15, no.3, pp. 10-16. http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5037767279 Neergaard, H & Ulhøi, JP 2007, Handbook of qualitative research methods in entrepreneurship, Edward Elgar, Cheltenham, UK Northampton, MA. pp. 388-395. Palmer, S 2004, ‘Anne Takes the Cure: Persuasion and the Spa’, Persuasions: The Jane Austen Journal, vol. 26, no.6, pp. 13-18. http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5009609489 Williams, A2007, Spa Bodywork, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Hagerstwon. pp. 292-300. Appendix Customer Questionnaire Do you know what Spa is? A. Yes B. No If yes, do you use it? A. Yes B. No Is it beneficial to your health? A. Yes B. No Where do you have your spa service? How often do you have it? A. once a month B. every week C. once a year D. twice a year Do you have it in the same place? A. Yes B. No Is it beneficial to the Chinese hotels? A. Yes B. No Does it make you back to the same hotel? A. Yes B. No What are your needs in these hotels? How do you rate the hotel? Employee questionnaire What are spa services? How does it benefit the hotel? Do the customers enjoy the service? How much? Does u know the customers by name? How often do the customers use the service? What is the customer return rate? How do you rate the hotel? How the performance is since the service was introduced? Management questionnaire What do you understand by spa services? What are its benefits? How do the services affect the customer return rate? What is general performance of the firm since the introduction of the services? Do you recognize your customers by names? How often do they use the service? What is your market share? What challenges are faced in the implementation of the services? What risks are involved in spa services? Read More