A Slovakian health spa operator recorded a 15 per cent increase in business from the Middle East last year following its debut at Arabian Travel Market, the region's premier travel and tourism show.

Slovak Health Spa Piestany Inc., said it received 4,220 guests from the region last year and is now eyeing a further 15 per cent rise in Middle East business this year.

"At Arabian Travel Market 2000 we found a partner with whom we began working on a special project," said Machac Frantisek, Sales and Marketing Director, Slovak Health Spa Piestany, Inc.

"This year we are returning to the show hoping to extend co-operation with our present partners.

"The Middle East is a strategic target for our company as it represents 15 per cent of our total turnover. There is big demand from the Middle East which has not been fully saturated and we will be looking to introduce ourselves to the travelling public through joint ventures with medical associations and tour operators operating in the spa business."