Czech spas branching out into pampering weekends

Ever feel like a relaxing massage? Well, you’re not the only one; the number of people visiting Czech spas has risen in the first six months of this year by 5.5 percent. And according to the Czech Association of Travel Agents, more visitors than ever are going for a weekend of pampering, instead of a longer, curative stay. To find out more, I spoke to Klára Nydlová, a manager at the Richmond Hotel in one of the country’s largest spa towns, Karlovy Vary. I started by asking whether guest numbers at her hotel reflected the new statistics:

Photo: CzechTourism

“Yes, we have noticed that more clients are coming, because we are really overbooked all year round. And in the last two years, the demand has really been huge for this spa.”

And where are the majority of these clients coming from?

“The majority of our clients are coming from Germany, because we are really close to the German border. Then there’s Austria, Russia, Isreal, a few come from the Untied Sates and Canada, and then there is Denmark.”

Have you been adapting your product in recent years to fit your clients? How?

Photo: CzechTourism

“Yes, we have changed the offering a bit – we now have ‘wellness treatments’ which means that customers can come for shorter stays. Because usually, a normal comprehensive treatment in Karlovy Vary lasts 14 or 21 days. And so we have made some reconditioning packages, some slimming programmes, and some seniors’ programmes, which last only seven nights. And then there are winter relaxing days, which are just an overnight. So these are the new services we are offering.”

And how many people are coming for these shorter stays?

“It is only maybe five percent of the overall amount of our clients. The majority of our clients are coming for these comprehensive treatments, which is a full package with full board. There is a dietary regime, with medical examinations, laboratory tests, and procedures which are prescribed by the doctor. There is a drinking cure which is typical for Karlovy Vary. The spa town is specialized in treating gastro-entorological disorders and metabolic diseases like diabetes. Karlovy Vary is a specialist in the treatment of these diseases.”