Sudipta Dev – Mumbai
Grand Resort Bad Ragaz is on the foothills of the Swiss Alps in the eastern part of Switzerland. An hour’s drive from Zurich, the property is one of Europe’s premier wellness and medical health resort. “The combination of our infrastructure and services is completely unique -we are an all in one property – a five-star deluxe property with 267 luxurious rooms and suites, eight restaurants, and one of the largest spas in Europe. It is not a normal spa, but based on thermal waters,” said Kathrin Boerger Bechtold, director of business development, Grand Resort Bad Ragaz.
For the last seven years the resort has had a focus on the India market. It has been a slow growth, but Boerger-Bechtold is optimistic about the future. “In India it took us a bit of time to create the idea as to how we contribute to health and overall well being,” she said, adding that, she believes that there are two sides to it. While the volume is not as big from the market, the positive side is that it is a hidden secret. “So those Indian travellers who go there experience a discreet place. They want to experience health and well being conditions. I am completely convinced that we have a precious offering for the Indian market,” she asserted. The resort has a regular clientele from India, majority of them have been guests from the last five to seven years. “We have a customer base of 73 per cent loyal customers, who always come back again,” said Boerger-Bechtold. The resort, she reminds, is a place for connoisseurs. “First time travellers from India most probably would not be coming to Bad Ragaz because they would not have us on their map. Which is a mistake as we are true Switzerland and give a different kind of experience than places on the beaten track,” stated Boerger-Bechtold.
This year the property is celebrating the 175th anniversary of piping the natural healing waters from Switzerland’s famous Tamina Gorge directly to the resort. “We have a long heritage in healing – those waters have been used since more than 800 years,” mentioned Boerger-Bechtold. It is not only wellness, the resort has a large medical health centre. “We have more than 37 doctors in our property and offer evidence based medical treatments to our guests in 10 fields of expertise. The most traditional element is rehabilitation. We recently opened a private clinic for rehabilitation integrated within our resort,” she informed.
