A study of the spatial composition of massage and spa business premises under the covid-19 crisis : A case study of day spa in Bangkok

Abstract

Massage and spa business is one of the main activities in tourism and wellness industry which is continually growing. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected massage and spa business. It is because Thai government has ordered the closure of massage and spa shops nationwide since the service needs physical touching and close contact between service providers and users for a long period of time. After the COVID-19 crisis, massage and spa establishments, therefore, must adjust the premises to create consumers’ confidence and pass the required standard of public health. The purposes of this research were to study the spatial composition of massage and spa premises, analyze the spatial composition affected by the COVID-19 crisis, and propose guidelines for managing function areas in massage and spa establishments to meet public health safety standards. In research procedures, data were examined and collected qualitatively by surveying, observing, and interviewing owners of massage and spa businesses. The results showed that the COVID-19 crisis affected the traditional function area management. From a designer’s perspective, the entrepreneurs should consider area management in three sections: 1) reception and waiting areas, 2) massage parlors, and 3) hygiene areas. The three main focuses should be on the principle of function area layout, circulation, and appropriate area size and distance with reference to public health practice guidelines.