Issue05 : 9 June 2014

The CEO and founder of GOCO Hospitality talks with Horizon Thailand. GOCO Hospitality is an international company in holistic industry. They aim to create hi-end spa and traveling experience. Operating in Bangkok and Germany, GOCO provides unforgettable 6 star spas and hotels in China, India, and other countries.

Your slogan is Where Wellness Meets Wanderlust, what lies behind this?
The company’s name GOCO combines two of the most important elements of the company – the acronym GO stands for travelling, movement and energy, whereas CO is based on the word community. Similarly, its tagline Wellness meets Wanderlust highlights the merging of travel with the wellness business. Focusing on this industry space, GOCO Hospitality develops unique projects that are wellness-centric, reflect local cultures and strive to make a social impact in their community.

Can you explain what is unique about GOCO Retreats and GOCO Spa?
Both brands are authentic and embrace the local heritage of each location. GOCO Spa is for individualists who seek personalised and authentic wellness experiences in a contemporary setting. The brand provides to its guests a calm sanctuary that inspires holistic well-being by offering internationally inspired therapies in a luxurious setting that embraces the local heritage of each location. GOCO Retreats are destination wellness resorts focused on creating healthy habits, encouraging personal development and embracing integrative wellness.

Your HQ is in Bangkok, why did you decide to establish yourself in Thailand?
GOCO Hospitality has established its corporate office in Bangkok in order to be close to two major markets China (Beijing, Shanghai) and India (Mumbai, New Delhi). Bangkok is only a few hours away from major cities such as Beijing, Hong Kong, Singapore, Mumbai or Kuala Lumpur. GOCO Hospitality has also recently opened a regional office in Berlin and soon in Shanghai.

What services do you provide from Bangkok?
GOCO Hospitality offers a broad range of services for our clients and partners from initial project inception, through development to ongoing operation and management property. Our scope of services are categorised into five work streams – market research and feasibility, brand concept and development, design and technical services, pre-opening and set-up, and management.

Are you planning to expand your presence within the country?
Yes, we are currently working on developing different hospitality wellness projects in Thailand such as in Khao Yai and Phuket.

Why do you feel that Thailand has such a good reputation for health and wellness?
Thailand offers a range of high standard wellness and spa services and the country is known for its hospitality, service, cleanliness and authenticity of the spa treatments. Besides that, spa designs in Thailand are also very varied and unique.

How will the health and wellness sector do in 2014?
As of 2010, SRI [independent research centre] valued the global wellness tourism industry at US$106 billion and three years later reported that its value had reached US$438.6 billion with a forecast to near US$680 billion by 2017, outpacing global tourism growth by nearly 50%. Thus, the foreseeable future for the global wellness industry is undoubtedly promising. The upcoming possibilities for wellness extend far beyond the traditional hotel spas and fitness facilities of the past. Today wellness has not only become the central inspiration for wellness-focused hotels but also wellness-focused homes. Euromonitor forecasts that Thailand’s health and wellness tourism will continue to grow, becoming a US$32 billion market by 2017, with its main contributions still coming from international consumers.

What projects do you have in the works?
GOCO is currently working on different projects around the world such as Sellin (Germany), Barcelona, Beijing and Shanghai, Ubud (Bali), Venice and Istanbul.

For latest information on GOCO’s projects, please visit http://www.goco.co