A feasibility study is important in gauging the viability of a spa development and its potential profitability. It’s also vital in determining whether or not to proceed with the project and in helping decide the appropriate size and scope of the facilities.
What exactly do clients get from a WTS feasibility study?
WTS undertakes all aspects of the study from assessing the potential market, to recommending the appropriate size and scope of the facility, and from doing the first preliminary space design to assessing the competition. Then, finally, we do a full five-year financial analysis.
The market and demographic analysis examines the number of people and businesses within a certain radius of the property and their income levels and other demographic and sociographic information. This knowledge is critical to the success of spas – for example – developments in urban areas, where the spa is in a hotel. The operator won’t always be able to count on attracting short-stay business guests to the spa, so they need to know the potential for attracting non-hotel guests and then to be advised how they can maintain that traffic to create a sustainable and profitable business.
How do you assess the competition?
We give a competitive set analysis which looks at local, regional and categorical competition to the spa and what they’re doing – their price points, menus, services, charges and so on. We give a thorough analysis so operators really thoroughly understand what the competition is, as opposed to what they think it might be based on preconceptions.
What about the scale of the investment?
As part of our initial space analysis, we tell the owner what the spa should look like based on its square footage. We don’t do a schematic design at this stage, but we look at the breakdown of the space, for example, we show how big the locker rooms should be and the size of the treatment rooms.
The financial analysis includes every assumption for revenue sources. On the costs side we break down every expense generated by a spa.
What do developers gain?
It will help them determine the costs of building and operating a spa. We give clients a real roadmap for understanding what it is they’re getting into, both from a build cost and an operating cost perspective.
Why do spa owners need a feasibility study if they haven’t previously had this as part of their development process?
Things have changed so much compared with six or seven years ago and today there’s no such thing as a risk-free development.
Economic conditions are tougher and there’s a lot more competition than there used to be. As a result, it’s very important to have an informed approach.
Who have you worked for?
Clients we’ve recently done feasibility studies for include the Wequassett Resort and Golf Club, The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg and numerous sites for Remington Hotels.
What are the downfalls of not undertaking a feasibility study?
If the spa is going to be above 300sq m (3000sq ft), then a feasibility study is needed and spending a few dollars at the outset can save big dollars later. Without it, the developer or owner risks going ahead without understanding the competition or knowing the true financial potential and operating or build costs and how large and sophisticated the spa should be.
If a developer or owner could have met their objectives building a 10,000sq ft spa but they end up building a 16,000sq ft spa, that extra 6,000sq ft has significant build costs associated with it which are completely unnecessary and will undermine the success of the project.
How can a study affect the spa vision?
We believe a feasibility study can save clients significant amounts of money. Because developers so often build what they want, not what they need.
We focus them on building what’s needed to accomplish their goals without compromising the look or the aesthetic appeal of the spa. Many multi-million dollar spas are overbuilt and have lots of wasted space at a cost to the owner. We try to save our clients from that.
Feasibility studies focus on what makes sense in their locale and with their clientele.
What’s the cost of a feasibility study?
The cost is based on flat fees which take into account geography and travel times and range from us$10,000 to us$18,000.
What advice would you give first-time developers?
We advise them not to leap off the diving platform without knowing whether there’s water in the pool. We would advise them do their homework and study if the decision makes sense, and what the appropriate size and complexity is. They may have a vision but it makes sense to have that vision validated to ensure it matches market potential.
WTS has recently acquired Blu Spas, the worldwide spa consultancy firm. How will this affect the feasibility services offered to clients?
The merger will have a very positive impact on the feasibility services we offer in that clients will be able to benefit from Blu Spas experience, capabilities and resources at the feasibility stage. We’re very excited about the opportunities this merger creates.
Contact WTS International
Tel +1 301 622 7800
Fax +1 301 622 3373
www.wtsinternational.com
