The Discussion on Key Successful Factors and Related Regulation of Taiwan Hot Spring Hotel Business

• Main Authors: Feng-Ping Hu, 胡峰賓
• Other Authors: 吳青松
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2010
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/41807382370738032598

碩士 === 臺灣大學 === 國際企業學研究所 === 98 === Taiwan is full of all kinds of springs - cold springs, hot springs, mud springs and seabed hot springs. There is a great reserve to be tapped. Since the living standard in Taiwan has become higher and the Taiwanese have spent more time in leisure activities, many hotels are adapting themselves to the changes in this competitive hotel industry. In the past, hotels were only about providing food and accommodation. Nowadays, quality leisure and Yang-Sheng (preserving one''s health) are newly added concepts in hotel management. Given the fact that springs provide many benefits, which perfectly suit peoples demand for health and Yang-Sheng, a spa has the image of relaxing someone and enhancing his or her health. Moreover, since springs are to be found in the mountain areas, staying in a spa hotel gives one the chance to enjoy the springs and nature, and to relax his or her body and mind. Therefore, spa hotels have become a very popular choice when it comes to choosing a place for leisure This research is to try to understand what a spa hotel should do to create a competitive edge. How should an existing spa hotel be managed to increase its edge. Before an owner invests a large amount in a new spa hotel, how should he or she map out the business plan in order to reduce any risk. Most of the literature on hotel management focuses on the quality of service, and not so much on the key successful factors. Therefore, it has become a very important topic for the management of a spa hotel to search for the key successful factors, to reinforce and apply them, and to make sure these factors ensure the competitive edge for the continuity of the business. In order to find out the key successful factors for the management of a spa hotel, this research gathers relevant research literature, and conducts in-depth interviews with a few experts. The research summaries the following five key successful factors: market positioning, expansion access, the use of Internet marketing, the focus on customer service, and establishing the brand. The research also pays attention to the impact of the Hot Spring Act, which was announced on 2 July 2003, came into effect on 1 July 2005 and is the legal basis in terms of regulating the spa hotel industry. When the act became valid, spa hotel owners were given 7 years to make sure that they abide by this new law. However, the deadline of 1 July 2011 is approaching, and so far only 20 spa hotels have received the Hot Spring Certificate. There are hundreds of spa hotels in Taiwan, but less than 10 % of the hotels are certified. How the spa hotels should continue their business profits within the legal boundary is another important topic covered in this thesis.