Description
Thermalia Travel, the spa specialist operator, has seen a 25%-30% increase in business for preventative packages, beauty and sports programmes since launching its Web site in August 1999.
The site allows users to browse the operator’s destinations and hotels, find prices and packages, make a booking enquiry on-line as well as discover the benefits of treatments such as aromatherapy and homeopathy.
Home page
The home page really sets the scene for this Web site. The heading – Heath and Beauty Holidays – is set on an image featuring an inviting blue/ green sea calmly lapping on to the shore where a healthy looking woman stretches in the sun.
Other appealing images offer links to Beautiful Destinations, So Spa So Good and Sports Programme. Further subject links appear for Therapies/ Glossary, The Spa Club, Book Holiday, Special Offers, About Thermalia and Contact Us.
The home page also provides credibility for the operator by displaying ABTA, ARTAC, IATA and ATOL logos as well as a What the Papers Say section and the TV channels that have featured Thermalia Travel.
Searching and booking
Take a link through to Destinations/ Hotels and a comprehensive list of the operator’s hotels appears in country then resort order.
Simply select the hotel you are interested in to receive a page of information including pictures, a detailed description, facilities and key resort information.
From here you can then view the next or previous hotel or click the prices and packages button for more information.
Things become a little more complicated here with details of all the different types of packages offered at this hotel together with relevant prices for the time of year.
Once you’ve found what you like a booking enquiry can be made on-line – although it seems like a formidable amount of boxes to complete, the process is quite straightforward.
Of course you should read the terms and conditions section and check out their insurance offer before completing the enquiry form!
Alternatively you could simply telephone Thermalia to make a booking, as you are quite likely to have a few unanswered questions on such a specialised holiday, such as individual medical conditions.
Value of information
A concise description is given on each destination and resort plus practical information on passport/ visa requirements, vaccinations and the climate.
Descriptions on each hotel are also good with helpful pictures.
Holiday packages are detailed for each hotel to show the treatments included and prices for the time of year.
Add-on treatment packages are described together with the additional costs.
The history of spas is also explained together with how treatments can benefit people and provide preventative measures. This educational information further establishes Thermalia’s passion and expertise in health tourism.
One of the most interesting sections has to be the therapies and glossary section. Here is where you can find out exactly what fangotherapy is and where can you get it – a drop-down list displays the list of hotels which offer this treatment. This is a good searching tool if you want to ensure your destination offers your chosen treatment.
What a shame the sports section does not offer the same searching capabilities so you can make certain your destination provides tennis or golf facilities.
Site design
Navigation of the site is very good with effective and easy-to-use menus. In particular we liked the sub-headings that appeared when selecting certain main topics, for example, the Book Holiday option shows related sub-headings for terms and conditions, airlines and travel insurance.
Response times were also good with little waiting around. The site’s images and colours provide the desired relaxed and soothing feeling of what these types of holiday are about.
But, we did have one small criticism. The packages and prices could be laid out with more clarity to make for an easier read and quicker digestion of the amount of information contained in these pages.
Would you come back?
Yes – next time travel agents are asked about spa/ health holidays this site should be at the top of the list
Furthermore, if you’re just curious to find out about fangotherapy then a visit is a must.
The main difficulty with the site is finding the right destination or package as there is no comparative information – although the packages and pricing is complex a simple search form or even a basic chart to illustrate facilities, sports, treatments and price ranges would be helpful.