1.

0 Introduction

Tourism is one of the factors that drives tourists to come to Malaysia. According to the
World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), national tourism is an activity where people
travel to and stay in places outside their normal environment for no more than one
consecutive year for recreational, business and other purposes. In fact, every year tourists
visit their destinations through various means such as air, land and sea. Indirectly
contributed revenue to each country through accommodation such as hotels and so on.
This is because, tourists need accommodation during their vacation (Inskeep, 1996). Both
industries are also very competitive, as there are many opportunities and specialized
fields and they both look to work together. According to sources obtained from the World
Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) (2010), the country's tourism and hospitality
industry created 1.3 million job opportunities in 2010, accounting for 11.9 percent of all
jobs nationwide. The increasing number of tourism and hotel sectors contributes to higher
employment opportunities and the selection of well-qualified workers to work.

Furthermore, Malaysia has also remained at the forefront as the most popular Islamic
tourism destination in the global Muslim tourism market. It is the eighth consecutive year
for Malaysia, according to the Mastercard-Crescent Rating Global Muslim Travel Index
(GMTI) 2018. Global Surveillance Survey 2018 (Berita Harian,2018). It is not surprising
that Malaysia has all the right ingredients for an ideal Islamic tourism destination. By
providing a variety of halal food, Islamic amenities and attractions, Malaysia has catered
to the needs of Muslim travellers from all over the world. So, this is the way that might
lead tourist especially for Muslim tourist to choose spa and wellness centre as vacation
place. This is because they need service from spa and wellness centres which is does not
violate shariah. Furthermore, the rich history and heritage of Islamic history in Malaysia
also led to the creation of an exciting layer of experiences just waiting to be discovered.
In addition, to further develop Islamic tourism products and services in Malaysia, the
Malaysian government established the Malaysian Islamic Tourism Centre in 2009 and
helped contribute to Malaysia's success in maintaining its position as the number one
destination of global Islamic tourism.
Nowadays, Muslim tourists are more inclined to choose the spa and wellness centres as
one of the places to spend their vacation time. This is because, the spa is a place for
relaxation, beauty centres and others. In fact, regular visits to get treatment, advice, health
care and motivation can help both tourists and customers become healthier and positive
individuals. This is because every spa and wellness centres have trained specialists which
is can provide the best service and health advice to customers. There are a few treatments
available in the spa and wellness centres such as services, facial treatments, pedicures,
and more. In addition, there are several types of methods that are modern and traditional.
Indirectly, tourists can choose methods that suit with their interests. According to
Tourism Malaysia (2010), one of the spa and wellness centres that received the Malaysia
Spa & Wellness Awards 2009 was YTL’s Spa Village Group. This is because the spa was
built on the concept of floating spa at Avillion Port Dickson and was also awarded the
Best New Spa and Traditional Treatment. So, this also leads to the factor of tourists
choosing the spa and wellness centre to spend their vacation time.

However, there are some differences for spa and wellness centres that a tourist might
consider before they decide to choose a spa and wellness centres as one of the places to
spend their vacation time. The wellness centres includes a variety of services based on
medical care, while the spa is an ideal place for relaxation or pampering. Meanwhile,
wellness centres offer services that are oriented to a wide range of massages, while spas
offer services focused on cosmetic and body care. This is because, spas are more likely to
be directed toward external care for an individual. Also, for some people, wellness centres
are defined as necessities while spa is defined as luxury. In terms of price difference
between spa and wellness centres, health services are generally lower than the price of
spa services. Basically, the wellness centre is focused on addressing and solving the
problem with the help of trained specialists. For example, specialist can guide customer
about healthy menu in daily routine and so on.
1.1 Difference between Muslim friendly spa and wellness centres and conventional spa and
wellness centres

Spa and wellness is a treatments that are a favourites component of travel amongst many
leisure traveller. In Malaysia, this industry has been gaining its popularity since 2002 with
the growth over 200% since 2002 as reported in the Intelligent Spa (Yaman et al., 2012).
Its popularity is gradually rising, and its growth becomes more expanding year by year,
while in 2014 wellness segment in Malaysia also shows a growth up to 10% (Oxford
Business Group, 2016). Because of this reason, the government had granted various plans
to kick off this industry to be one of the income generators in the national economy. Apart
from that, the government also segmented spa industry as one of tourism products to be
marketed through various prospect areas in the tourism industry such as spa and wellness
tourism, health tourism and medical tourism. It regards as a wise approach since travel and
tourism are highly important as a one of the largest contributors to the Malaysian
economy. This industry also makes Muslim traveller unable to have the experience in spa
and wellness because of majority of the spa and wellness centres don’t have Islamic values
and requirement. However, most hotel nowadays is changing their spa and wellness
centres treatment to Islamic requirement in order to attract the Muslim traveller.

In this industry shows that it has difference between of the Muslim friendly wellness and
spa and the conventional wellness and spa centres. The conventional wellness and spa is
the place where the traveller can go and relaxing and do their treatment to maintain the
health of their body. Mostly conventional wellness and spa in Malaysia in not based on
Islamic requirement, because of the past 10 years majority hotels is only focused on to
attract tourists that come travel and stayed at their hotel, so they don’t really care about the
important to have Muslim friendly wellness and spa while in conventional wellness and
spa, the design of their spa may didn’t separate the room to different gender. Meaning that,
at the same place, they are freely can massage and have their treatment. This give
problems to the Muslim traveller to get their session. They will not have a gap to enjoy
their treatment.
From the products served also, the conventional wellness and spa may provide Non-Halal
food if they have provided the food service. So, this give hesitation to the Muslim traveller
to have their meal when relaxing at the spa centres. The ingredient of the treatment also
may have the alcohol ingredient, so this also will be caused hesitation to Muslim
customers to enjoy their treatment. Because of that problem they only have limit to enjoy
certain.

Compared to Muslim friendly wellness and spa, It is one of the spa that offers professional
spa services in accordance with Islamic or Syariah Law in terms of services, management
and products (Halim & Mohd Hatta, 2017). In order to get the approval for the spa to
match to Islamic requirement, they need to follow criteria that show it is Muslim friendly
wellness and spa, which is the main factor is the facility providing by the spa to male and
to female guest. This one is the most important factors to deciding the suitability as the
Muslim friendly wellness and spa. The design of space planning also must close and
hidden from non-muhram view. So, they can have their own privacy to do any treatment
they want without too aware about their aurah.

Next, the other factor of the Muslim friendly wellness and spa is the centres will be
providing a staff members with professional qualification. The staffs will separately by
gender to handle they customers, so only female staff in the female section and the male
staff in the male sections. They also must provide the prayer area for the Muslim
customers to fulfill their “Solat”. Besides that, other determining factors is the products
used at the spa, whether the Halal food is provided if the spa serving the food. The
products used for treatment also need to have Halal-certificated, with no alcohol served.
The product must no contamination with haram materials during storage, transportation
and application of the spa product, such as using bristle from pig to apply a mask or
essential oil from haram sources. Further, the staff spa needs to dress in attire that is
compliant with Islamic requirements. They must wear attire that cover their aurah when
provide service to their customers. This is to prevent from any cases boost to offend
syariah law.
 In conclusion, both two types have a similar service which is provide treatment and
relaxing to customer, but they still have the different based on their ways of treatment,
design of the place and the ingredients provided. which is all of that have fulfil the
Syariah law or free. So, this also depends to the management of the hotels itself, if they
want to increase their profit, they need to provide or changing their wellness and spa
centres to both types of wellness and spa. So that, the traveller will be interested to come
and stay at their hotel.

2.0 Advantages Muslim tourist choose spa and wellness centres for vacation

2.1 For customers

Among the advantages of both Muslim and non-Muslim tourists choosing a spa
and health centre for their vacation is to have a healthier lifestyle. Furthermore, it
allows them to better their daily lives after receiving services from spas and
health centre. In addition, by choosing a spa and health centre during the
holidays, customers can also learn something new by learning new health and
fitness ideas from experts. This, in turn, helps customers improve their way of life
in the right direction. In addition, experienced experts can teach techniques that
are easier and more effective in the customer's endurance to improve and
maintain good health. In fact, spas and wellness centre also offer a variety of
fitness and classroom activities that allow customers to do what they love or learn
something new while improving their health and fitness. The advantage of
tourists choosing a spa and health centre as a tourist destination or vacation is to
help them live a healthier lifestyle.

In addition, being a place to spend time with loved ones or friends is also one of
the advantages for tourists choosing a spa and health centre as a vacation spot.
This is because, spas and health centre are a great place to relive family
relationships like mother, daughter or sister. In addition, customers can do
activities together or get the same treatment package to relieve stress while
working, studying and so on. Choosing a spa and health centre as a vacation spot
also helps tourists to strengthen their family relationships so that they can share
the problems they are facing and seek appropriate treatment from experts.
Indirectly, they not only enhance family relationships but also help them to live
healthier lives. It has been proven that spas and wellness centre can help tourist
reconnect with their loved ones by choosing a spa and health centre as a tourist
spot.

Furthermore, being a more mindful individual is also an advantage for tourists

who have chosen the spa and wellness centre as one of their vacation destinations.
This is because, having been busy working especially in the city or studying has
put people under stress and the problem can be solved with some treatment at the
spa and wellness centre. At the spa and wellness centre there are trained
specialists who can guide and recommend treatments for relaxing the mind.
Indirectly, tourist who have chosen the spa and wellness centre as a destination
for vacation can help themselves become more mindful and positive. In fact, they
also get advice from experts on ways to practice mindfulness more effectively.

Besides, the spa and wellness centre also offer the benefit of the individual
visiting it such as maintaining beauty. Therefore, tourists choose the spa and
wellness centre as one of the places to spend their vacation time especially for
women. Occasionally the accommodation chosen by the tourists especially
provides spa services and wellness centre. In fact, every spa and wellness centre
now have a variety of treatments that will appeal to tourists. There is a spa and
wellness centre that utilizes a variety of modern or traditional treatments to suit
the interests and suitability of the tourist. This way, tourists can maintain their
beauty not only from the outside but from the inside as well as getting proper
nutrition tips from experts to maintain the beauty.
2.2 For Business

Spa and wellness industry nowadays growth very well. As the person who does
this type of business, this will give them chances in order to show to the world
that this kind of business can also be a successful business. In Malaysia, various
types of spa services are being establish, such as hotel and resorts spa, destination
spa, medical spa, mineral or thermal springs spa, and other spa therapies. This
shows that, the more spa and wellness centres provided the it can bring benefit
toward their business. This will increase the spa and wellness industry growth.

Next, when there are many types of spa are provided, there are many tourist
would interested to try the services. This will be one of the advantages for their
business, which is they can generate more income. Thus, when there are many
customers went to spa vacation, the management of the spa and wellness need
more workers for the spa business. This will occur many job opportunities and
many people would have chances to work. Community colleges and beauty
schools all over the country has provide the training that can give a person
become a certified spa professional. While completing the training, they work as
an assistant to gain valuable insight into everyday spa operations. There are many
job opportunities in spa and wellness industry such as massage therapist,
esthetician, spa attendant, spa receptionist, fitness instructor, spa manager, spa
director and corporate spa director. Even if the person does not have a higher
education, they also can be one the part in the business. Basically, the hours and
pay rate expected in a spa will vary greatly. New employment opportunities
provide chances for previously unemployed or under-employed workers to
increase take home pay and better their meet financial obligations. Increased
employee earnings lead to a higher rate of consumer spending, which benefits
other businesses who depend on consumer sales to stay open and pay vendors.
This will lead to a healthier overall local economy and allows more businesses to
thrive.

Besides that, spa and wellness services can attract more investor to in their
business. When the investors know that the business have many customers and
have very high income, they will want to invest in that business in order to
increase the size of business. The reason that they investors decided to invest in
the spa industry is because the high financial returns high. That may be high
income from the spa operating cash flow, especially if they have long-term
ownership intentions. On average, owners can achieve cashflow returns in every
year. Besides, the investors feel that with everybody leading such busy and
stress-filled lives these days, by starting a day spa business is an excellent choice
for a new business venture. The initial investment to get a day spa up and running
is substantial. However, the income potential is outstanding. Location is probably
the most important aspect of this new enterprise, so be sure to carefully research
the area where you intend to open for spa business. Providing day spa clients with
a wide variety of services such as manicures, seaweed wraps, aromatherapy and
massage options is guaranteed to make the business a popular destination for new
and repeat clients.

Marketing a day spa service would be through traditional advertising media. Be

sure to print and distribute two-for-one discount coupons for the initial grand
opening. You may have to sacrifice some revenue, but discount coupons are a
terrific way to gain interest from potential customers quickly. The income and
profit potential will greatly depend on a few factors, such as services offered,
customer volumes and business location. Once the income increases, the
investment will also increase. In conclusion, the increasing of choosing spa as
vacation can bring many benefits to the spa business, the trend of the spa industry
shows the global spa market is projected to grow at the rate of 5.7% during the
forecast period 2018 to 2023 as the people increasing the focus on health and
beauty and rising expenditure on luxuries is the major drivers of the market.
2.3 For country

Spa and wellness centres are on trend around the world today. This is because it
can boost the national income especially in tourism sector. In fact, Asia Pacific is
the fastest growing region for travel in this sector. However. There have been
many spas attached to luxury hotels and resorts, and the country is facing fierce
competition from more established players such as Thailand and Indonesia, as it
seeks to expand its market share. Although the wellness segment in Malaysia
grew 10% in 2014, the government is still trying to develop the spa and wellness
centres industry to attract tourists with money and a tendency to spend their
vacation time here. Currently, Malaysia is also listed in the Top 10 health tourism
markets in Asia Pacific with spending of US $ 5 billion (RM20.5 billion), and 8.3
million trips. Tourism Malaysia reports that there has been a rapid increase in
tourism globally due to the rise of the middle class with increased spending
power, growing consumer desire to adopt a healthier lifestyle, and increased
interest in the travel experience. As the industry grows, the government is trying
to encourage more Malaysians to take careers in the spa and wellness centres,
which now rely on workers from Indonesia, Cambodia and Thailand. The goal is
to make the industry no longer dependent on therapies taken from outside
Malaysia. It is clear that spa and wellness centres can increase the national income
especially in tourism sector.

At the same time, the advantage of having tourists choose the spa and wellness
centres as a place for their vacation to the country is one of the factors of
attraction. This is because, health tourism in Malaysia is stimulated by signing a
memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Malaysian Tourism and
Tourism Association (MATTA) and the Malaysian Spa Association (Amspa). The
collaboration, to promote and strengthen health tourism in the country, involves
promotional programs and activities leading to the Visit Malaysia 2020 campaign
to attract 30 million international tourists and RM100billion in travel receipts and
beyond, information exchange, capacity building and development of this tourism
area. The potential for health tourism is immense and with the support of Tourism
Malaysia and the promotion of this sector, it will help to raise awareness of
various health packages for tourists. So, with all this cooperation in developing
this sector, especially spa and wellness centres has increased tourist interest in
choosing spa and wellness centres as one of their vacation spots. At the same time,
the advantage of having tourists choose the spa and wellness centres as a place for
their vacation to the country is one of the factors of tourism. This is because,
health tourism in Malaysia is stimulated by signing a memorandum of
understanding (MoU) between the Malaysian Tourism and Tourism Association
(MATTA) and the Malaysian Spa Association (Amspa). The collaboration, to
promote and strengthen health tourism in the country, involves promotional
programs and activities leading to the Visit Malaysia 2020 campaign to attract 30
million international tourists and RM100billion in travel receipts and beyond,
information exchange, capacity building and development of this tourism area. .
The potential for health tourism is immense and with the support of Tourism
Malaysia and the promotion of this sector, it will help to raise awareness of
various health packages for tourists. So, with all this cooperation in developing
this sector, especially spa and wellness centres has increased tourist interest in
choosing spa and wellness centres as one of their vacation spots.

Besides, Malaysia aims to create 3540 jobs with a gross national income of
RM374.1 million ($ 92.6 million) by 2020, under its plan to develop the industry
as one of the major economic areas of the country. It envisions the vibrant spa
industry to boost revenue from high-performing tourists. Founding Director of the
Academy of Excellence (ESA) Stella Matuya can serve as an example to help
reduce unemployment. The academy has produced over 300 spa therapists so far
to meet the demands of the Peninsula since its inception in 2008 after undergoing
six months of intensive "Spa Therapy" training. Three months is dedicated to
trainees learning the theory of spa therapy including body massages, reflexology,
facial treatments, manicures, pedicures, body treatments, basic English courses,
motivation classes and self-development to improve their self-esteem and
 confidence levels. Indirectly, it can help the country reduce the unemployment
rate among the people by follow the steps that have been done.

3.0

Motivational factor

We have chosen a spa and wellness centres in Kangar to be one of the examples to
complete this task. The spa and wellness centres is Wahyuni Spa and Wellness Centres.
Below is the logo of the spa:
 3.0 Logo of Wahyuni Spa and Wellness Centres

3.1 Background of the owner and spa

Wahyuni Spa and Welness centres is a wellness and beauty spa founded by Puan Azlina
binti Ibrahim in 2014. Puan Azlina, 39 years old who originated from Kuala Kangsar,
Perak started the spa business after moving to Perlis after her marriage. She was born to a
family with a business background in which her family running a restaurant in Kuala
Kangsar. She studied Diploma in Business Administration in private college in Kuala
Lumpur. Subsequently, started her career in the shipping company, MISC.

However, working with people did not satisfy her. Furthermore, the family requested her
to come back to Kuala Kangsar to help with the family business. She got married in 2010
and moved to Perlis. Being raised in a business family, Pn. Azlina just could not sit still.
Before starting the spa business, she starts a small business selling Muslimah clothing
(jubah) and various types of chips (kerepek). Her customers usually her friends and
contacts whom she met during her Islamic classes. She will set up a table or small stall to
sell her jubah and chips at various occasion and location of Islamic classes in Perlis.
 3.1 Picture of the owner of Wahyuni Spa
and Wellness Centres

3.2 Business nature

By putting ‘Teratak Spa’ as a role model, and with the background of diploma in business
management, Puan Azlina start-up spa business with the vision and mission to provide a
Syariah-compliant spa and at the same time to become a skill training centre to the
youngster in Perlis with collaboration with ‘Jabatan Pembangunan Kemahiran (JPK).
Wahyuni Spa open from 9 am to 6 pm, seven days a week and it offers beauty, relaxation,
treatment and postnatal services to Muslimah population especially for Perlis community.
Puan Azlina noticed the opportunity to set up a Shariah-compliant spa after social
involvement with women in Perlis who keen to get spa treatment but having difficulties as
there is no Muslimah Spa available in Perlis at the moment. Thus, apart from gaining
income, she has a sense of responsibility to help those women in taking care of their aurat.
The marketing strategies used to deliver all the information are mainly via social media
through Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to keep on updating their current and new
services to the clients. Personal Whatsapp being send to the regular customers or
customers that have been to Wahyuni Spa before and the update is done every month with
the aim of 10% of the customers will come back to Wahyuni Spa to get their services.
Furthermore, more information and news can be obtained in the business website at
http://wahyunispa.com.my/ whereby customers can explore the variety of services together
with the prices (refer to appendix). They have a booking system for every service
provided.

Apart from business in services, Wahyuni Spa does have its own customized product that
consists of facial foundation, traditional herbs and botanical beverage mix drink. The
products were produced in Selangor before distributed to Wahyuni’s franchisee, groceries
and traditional herb shops. Apart from that, the products available at Wahyuni’s stockist as
well.

Regarding the skill training centre, since 2016 Wahyuni Spa make a collaboration with
JPK under ‘Sistem Latihan Dual National’ (SLDN) to train new potential entrepreneur in
spa services. The main objective of this system is to produce K-Workers via industry-
driven with a basis of 3 main elements including technical, social and humanity and
teaching and methodology aspect. To be part of the training centre, Wahyuni Spa needs to
get the validation from JPK before proceeding with educational purposes. Generally,
under JPK, 10 students mainly from Vocational College will be allocated to the company
 with the guidance of 2 coaches. However, in Wahyuni Spa, only 5 students allocated in
each Arau and Kangar centre as Wahyuni Spa served mainly as a service centre and not
yet a full training centre. A contract has been signed together with the Vocational College
where there will be a new practical student that will be sent over for training. With this
collaboration, Wahyuni Spa gains additional income when becoming a facilitator apart
from the service business provided.

At the moment, Wahyuni Spa has 10 permanent staff including Puan Azlina herself with
additional practical students from Vocational College. To sustain the company's financial
requirements, each and every staff member has their own standard performance for their
key performance index where they need to get a minimum of RM3000 per month from
their services. For those who can exceed more of the standard, a bonus will be awarded to
them. Every staff will work for hand in hand and help each other to achieve this
performance as they have already become and treated like a big family.

3.3 Motivational factor

Every business that is run and related to tourism must have its own motivational factor that
will motivate the owner to improve the service and maintenance of its spa and wellness
centres. The goal is to attract customers not only from within the country but also from
abroad. In addition, today's tourist prefers spa and wellness centres as one of the places
where they spend their vacation. Indirectly, it will encourage the owners of spa and
wellness centres to provide better service to attract tourists. Among the motivational
factors that drive these spa owners and wellness centres to improve the quality of their
services is the support of their family members. This is because, family is the closest
person to an individual's life and even family is one of those who want to see us succeed in
the future. As such, he is motivated to continue to improve spa and wellness centres by
offering suggestions, exchanging opinions and so on.

Also, wanting to be a spa and wellness centres with the best Muslim friendly concept is
also a motivational factor. This is because, Wahyuni Spa and wellness centres offer
services specifically to Muslim women. The purpose is to offer services that are not in
conflict with religion. In addition, in modern times the demand for spa and wellness
centres has increased this concept as the number of Muslim tourists has increased daily.
Therefore, the owner wants to be the one who can provide the best service especially to
the Muslim tourist. Indirectly, this factor will be one of the attractions for Muslim tourists
not only from within the country but also from abroad.

Besides, the motivational factor for improving the business is also due to the
encouragement of its employees. This is because, in addition to wanting to provide a
Muslim friendly concept service to tourists, he also wants to help the community get a job
as the supply of jobs is very limited now. So, with the Wahyuni Spa and Welness Centers,
locals can work there. Indirectly, it can help countries reduce unemployment. So, this
motivational factor has greatly helped the owner in developing the business and expanding
this business opportunity to help more people in our country.

Other than that, the motivational factor that drove him to grow the business for spa and
wellness centres was the government. The government provided training and assistance to
the owners through the Giat Mara Program. The owner has acquired enough skills and
training to increase his knowledge in this area. In addition, through the program the owner
has received financing and assets related to this field to run business spa and wellness
centres. So, it has been a motivational factor for him to prove to the government that they
are not wrong in choosing and helping him become an entrepreneur of spa and wellness
centres.

In conclusion, it can be concluded that every success for an entrepreneur is due to

motivational factors as well. This is because, individuals need support and motivation to
continue their efforts in whatever they are trying to be. So, it is because of this motivating
factor that has driven the owner of Wahyuni Spa and Wellness Centres to improve the
service offered and create something new to meet the demands of the Muslim Tourist
community.
3.4 Critical factor for success

Puan Azlina would describe her most critical factor for success in her life as an
entrepreneur is a STRUGGLE, as it feels like a constant struggle until all hardworking and
dedication become fruitful. Most entrepreneurs have a story of long hours working for
success. “You are never quite satisfied, always trying to push the boundaries, and then
moving onto the next thing, which inevitably takes you back to starting over again”.
According to her, she is a person who enjoys work more and becomes more productive
comparing what she did while she is working with a shipping company. Sometimes, being
an entrepreneur requires determination and dedication to face all kinds of challenges
including failure. Maybe you have to tweak your plan, or sometimes you might have to
work from scratch again before you find your right track. Entrepreneurs need to be
realistic about the challenges of entrepreneurship and be willing to embrace them
regardless, then you are ready to move forward.

The next critical factor for success that she face are that potential customers often do not
want to be the first to try. They want to see that your business idea is proven and tested
before they try it. It can be very difficult to get that breakthrough, that first customer.
Luckily in her case, Puan Azlina manages to get her first customer by her good connection
with a group of friends in her Islamic Classes.

Other than that, finding a fund is also one of the biggest critical factor for success upon
starting a business. In many cases, there are a lot of people interested in doing business or
being an entrepreneur, but they did not continue with the ideas when it comes to money
matters; how to fund the endeavour. Not every business requires a large investment from
the get-go, but we want to be sure that we are in a position to keep the business running
for the long-term. Learned from her own experience, Puan Azlina said in the first place
you might find it is hard to get a business loan from various agencies that offered the loan
 or bank, but after you mastered paperwork on how to sell your ideas, you might easily get
a few grants from related agencies. The key ingredient is you must work hard.

3.5 The ways to overcome the critical factor for success

As to achieve her missions to provide a Muslim friendly spa and wellness centres, to
provide a skills training centre and to become a wholesaler and retailer of Muslim friendly
spa and wellness centres products and salons, Pn Azlina needs to overcome the critical
factor to success. With her perseverance, it seems that her decision is on the right pathway.

In dealing with the fund or capital issues, she started her business with the support of
MARA in which she received financial aid or grant of RM 6500 in the form of spa
equipment via an incubator program for entrepreneurs. To expand her venture, she
actively applied for various grants that being offered by the government or other bodies by
submitting a comprehensive plan for her applications. With her hard work, she managed to
open her second branches by using her own saving money supported by loans from
MARA and TEKUN.

Pn Azlina is also planning to expand her venture by franchising as a way to manage the
cost. Franchising can be cost-effective as she does not have to cover the cost of investing
in new premises or staff. Additional sales lead to additional profit. In term of costs, each
franchisee finances their own franchise outlet. While the franchisee meets all the costs and
collects the income, Wahyuni will receive franchise fees and royalties or a mark-up on
products sold by the franchisee.

In order to increase her spa income, she also finds various ways. As part of her mission to
be a training centre, the contract signed with the Vocational College will allow Wahyuni
spa to gain additional income as being a facilitator for the trained students.

Getting new customers and maintaining her regular customers is another critical factor for
success. She used various social media platforms as marketing strategies such as through
Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp to keep on updating about their new services to their
clients. From her experiences, Personal Whatsapp does play its roles. She used this
method to customers that have been to Wahyuni Spa to update information every month. It
turns out that 10% of these customers will come back to Wahyuni spa to get their services.
To get new potential customers, networking and testimonies from other clients do help.
Puan Azlina manages to get her new customers by having good networking with a group
of friends in her Islamic Classes. However, social media also can be a challenge. She used
to experience a negative ‘viral’ which later give her positive impact in which customers
start looking for Wahyuni.

According to Pn Azlina, well-trained staff are assets and she needs to keep them with
Wahyuni Spa. In order to avoid them from leaving Wahyuni, she needs to ensure the
benefits that her staff will receive like giving them a bonus to those who can achieve the
sales targets, special allowances and taking care of their benefits. Employer contribution to
insurance and Perkeso are also an attractive plan for employee benefits. Perhaps, offering
franchise to loyal employees may be an attractive plan for a long term benefit.

Location is also critical factor for her venture. She did receive an offer to start her business
at Bukit Ayer Resort, Perlis under Tourism Perlis. However, she had to turned it down as
the location is quite far from public access. It is true as accessibility is a factor that
influences the number of customers. A visible location will help at least to reduce
advertising expenses. However, perhaps this could be overcome with the collaboration and
supports from the Tourism Body itself. The surrounding could be further developed to
increase numbers of visitors to go there on their vacation. With current advertising
modalities and the brand of Wahyuni itself, possibly customers will still go as they can get
two in one at one time, that is a family vacation and spa services.

Every business has its competitors. So does Wahyuni Spa. MamaCare, mobile spa and
other spas are her competitors. Studying other spas weakness and strength is the key to
success. As for Wahyuni, the potential hole for Perlis market is the unavailability for
Syariah compliance spa for Muslim women. She takes this opportunity. Furthermore, by
believing every business will have their own strength and gain profit if you do it in the
right way, she manages to create a niche for Wahyuni.
4.0 Suggestion

To improve the facility for spa and wellness centres for Muslim, it has some suggestion
must be improve so that the tourist especially Muslim will attract to come to the spa and
support the spa for tourism business. The suggestion listed below are divide by two
section which is for the business purpose and for the Muslim tourist.

4.1 Suggestion for the owner of spa and wellness centres to improve the business

The suggestion for business is the party for wellness tourism must give involvement
to the people who travel to many place to be proactively pursue activities that
maintain or strength their personal health and wellbeing, and who are seeking
unique, authentic or location-based experiences or therapies not available at home.
In this case, they can attract tourist especially for business people to join this to
increase their level for healthiness because they always busy to work. This is
because when they have to travel, they just go for business purpose only. They can
get this opportunity to involve because this activity is not available at their home.
Next, creating a clear and consistent health tourism without making any difference
to tourists coming in and out of the country by providing the same services to all of
them is appropriate for all women, whether younger or older. By doing this, it can
prevent biased attitudes towards tourists because they feel that the spa does not
distinguish them from where are they from or their age.

Encourage a cooperative spirit is also one of suggestion for business wellness

tourism and can build collaborative relationships with key players in this sector.
When all employees are taking cooperative for good responsible, for sure that they
can run their business smoothly. Besides that, they has to support the development
and expansion of national, regional and international spa associations that can serve
as platforms for communication, lobbying, information sharing, standards setting
and other efforts. In this way, the employee can support their employer to further
grow their spa business.

Next, by develop a strong and unique brand by emphasizing authentic, location-

based, and signature offerings that draw directly from unique local traditions and
natural assets. After that, capture the “borderline” wellness tourists by packaging spa
or wellness offerings with other kinds of experiences which is sports, nature, travel,
etc. Within the variety package of spa or wellness that has exist for one of the spa
agency, tourist can gain more experience to choose which is the good spa that they
can used for the services within most some of spa that they survey. Recognize that
there are opportunities for the spa industry in medical tourism, and pursue these
opportunities carefully and collaboratively. It means by people can join the business
spa as their purpose of job opportunities

Besides, spa business can market their offerings to domestic, intra-regional, and
international medical and wellness tourists, which is the key to look whereas all are
strong opportunities, but may have very different needs and interests. For business
purpose, domestic spa in Malaysia is encouraged to market their branding product of
their spa at international level so that people outside this country can know the
existing of their spa and they also were attract to buy and promote that product to
their family members at their country. Tourist outside will know which product is
best for their beautiful purpose or medical purpose suitable as their needed. As
example, they were buy our domestic product such as cosmetic or medicine that has
a good of quality ingredients. Other than that, company of spa has to consider
providing more eco-friendly, organic, natural and locally-sourced products, services,
treatments and facilities. They also must to embrace the growing interest in holistic
and lifestyle-oriented approaches to wellness within build integrated packages that
cater to tourists who want to ‘change their lives’ on holiday.

Last suggestion for the business purpose of spa is improve and expand data
collection efforts for the spa industry, as well as for wellness tourism sectors.
Continue to support development of scientific evidence base for spa and wellness
 modalities. (research report:global spa summit, 2011). Ministry of health must
ensure that spa business opening is followed all the rules to exist their spa which is
they must prioritize their products are safe to use and it do not contain any harmful
chemicals for public use.

4.2 Suggestion for Muslim tourist to choose spa and wellness centres for vacation

First suggestion is, be flexible and variety open to emerging trends and product
developments. Consider changing your menu of offerings, your approach, or even
the name of your business for new markets. It can make Muslim tourists feel more
comfortable and want to avoid them feel bored when they use the same products.
Other than that, don’t just to promote a long media of generic services and products
only. Focus on promoting what are the suitable product ingredients for Muslim,
which is ingredients of pig’s gelatin are prohibited of the product spa used, hence
use the organic things only such as herbs and tea tree in their products.

The spa management should provide a more private place for women as women's
hair is genital in Islam. They must to isolate the spa, each part for women and each
part for man used. For Muslim men, it is best to let the male spa workers serve them,
not the female staff as they are not skin-to-skin or hair for people of different gender
in accordance with Islamic teachings. Wellness tourist generally seeking integrated
wellness for Muslim and prevention approaches improve their health or quality of
life. This can makes Muslim tourist to believe the spa business is prioritize the value
of religious that Islam teach us. Last but not least, the company of spa Muslim
tourist has to establish basic, flexible and good facility of spas that can be used and
applied for worldwide that most suitable for Muslim tourist to use besides the spa
area such as a prayer room.
5.0 Conclusion

In conclusion, the availability of spas and wellness centres has provided many benefits
and advantages to our country especially to the tourism sector. This is because, spas and
wellness centres have the potential to be a major attraction for tourists to visit our
country. At the same time, it can benefit our country especially in the tourism sector of
our country. Indirectly it helps in the exchange of foreign currencies which can assist the
country in improving the country's currency and improving the currency. Indirectly it
helps in the exchange of foreign currencies which can assist the country in improving the
country's currency and improving the currency.

Other than that, having a spa and wellness centres in our country can attract more tourists
to our country. This is because nowadays tourist has choose spa and wellness centres as
one the place for their vacation. This indirectly indicates that these two attractions have
the potential to benefit the tourism sector in our country. This clearly shows something
positive for the tourism sector in our country and it can indirectly help boost the
country's economy. This in turn reduces the country's dependence on industries such as
hotels and restaurants.

In addition, with the availability of health care facilities in our country such as spas and
wellness centres, this will indirectly provide a positive outlook for tourists traveling to
our country. We are aware that these spas and wellness centres are related to the health
sector. Therefore, if there are tourists seeking health care in our country, then it will not
be a problem for them as the facilities are already available in our country. This can also
be one of the attractions for tourists to travel to our country. In fact, there are many types
of spa and wellness centres in our country. For example, the spa and wellness centres
offer a Muslim friendly concept which is very attractive and suitable for Muslim tourists.
In fact, there are many types of spa and wellness centres in our country. For example, the
spa and wellness centres offer a Muslim friendly concept which is very attractive and
suitable for Muslim tourists.

In addition, these spas and wellness centres can be a major attraction for tourists to travel
to our country. This is because nowadays there are tourists traveling to a country with the
aim of getting good health care. This is because spas and wellness centres are also
associated with health tourism. For example, in ASEAN, Singapore is the preferred
country for tourists seeking health care. This is because of the sophisticated and
comprehensive health facilities available in the country. Our country Malaysia is also an
option for tourists who want to travel while seeking health care because of its good
facilities.
With all the benefits that come with the existence of these spas and wellness centres,
there is little hope for the government to help entrepreneurs and owners of these health
centres and spas. This is because, either the owner or the entrepreneur needs a great deal
of money to improve the facilities or services that they want to offer for tourists. If the
government does not help them both attractions will not be able to sustain. So, if the
government provides help and encouragement either in money or in assets, it will help
both of these attractions to grow and sustain in the future.

In addition, one of the ways the government can help and support this sector is by
providing operators and owners of spa and health centres such as training assistance.
This is where the government can provide qualified educators to health centres and spas
located in our country to provide training to workers involved in these two attractions.
This indirectly helps ease the capital burden that employers and owners have to pay to
pay the coach they hire. It can also assure them that the knowledge and guidance given to
employees is correct and accurate. Furthermore, the government can also reduce
unemployment if the coach is a Malaysian citizen.

Other than that, the government can also help both of these attractions to continue to
grow and sustain by helping in terms of promotion. Many of the local spas and wellness
centres in our country are less well known and have a place in the hearts of tourists
because of the lack of promotion. This is due to the lack of capital from the operators and
owners of these spas and wellness centres to carry out extensive promotions. Not only
that, they are also less aware of the need for extensive promotions to make their business
more recognizable and attractive to tourists.
As such, it is evident that there are various advantages when it comes to spas and health
centres to our country especially to the tourism sector. So, we must redouble our efforts
to ensure that these two attractions continue to be one of the attractions for tourists
coming to our country.