Category Archives: Wellness Tourism

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CanCham to host wellness convention

THE Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (CanCham) Cebu chapter is organizing a convention on wellness, retirement properties and medical tourism next week. The Philippine Retirement, Medical and Wellness Tourism conference will highlight the country’s global competitive advantage in … Continue reading

Italy Looks to Focus on Wellness Tourism

PHOTO: Italy is now focusing on wellness. (Photo courtesy Thinkstock)

PHOTO: Italy is now focusing on wellness. (Photo courtesy Thinkstock)

According to report in Tourism Review, Italy is diving head first into wellness tourism.

The lucrative sector already produces a lot of revenue worldwide, and Italy wants to get a slice of the pie.

“Organizers of Terme d’Italia want to take advantage of the potential of wellness tourism in Italy through promotion, communication activities, both nationally and internationally. According to a study of the sector, conducted by Sri International, wellness tourism generates $440 billion per year globally as well as 12 million jobs. It also accounts for 14% of the world tourism expenditure,” says the report.

Wellness tourism opportunities will be focused on several regions within the country.

“The project involves the regions of Calabria, Emilia-Romagna, Lazio, Lombardy, Puglia, Sicily, Veneto and the Autonomous Province of Bolzano. It is dedicated to Italy’s domestic spa and wellness resorts and the aim is to support and stimulate the demand for local spa and wellness services,” says Tourism Review.

While many regions around the world enjoy acclaim as wellness destinations, Italy is not among them and this new strategy aims to put Italy on the wellness travel map.

“Thus the organizers want to create and promote the thermal tourism product at the national level as well as abroad. A product that is capable of serving the needs of 21st-century tourists,” says Tourism Review.

For more on Italy’s budding wellness offerings, read on here.

source: http://www.travelpulse.com / Travel Pulse / Home> Destination & Tourism / Janeen Christoff / October 12th, 2016

Innovate approach and new services at Chinar Hotel & Spa Naftalan

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Synergy Group, Ata Travel and Health and Thermal Tourism Association organized info tour to Naftalan based Chinar Hotel & Spa on July 2-3. Azerbaijani media representatives and tour companies were taking part at this event.

The main aim of this info tour was to introduce health and medical tourism of Chinar Hotel & Spa, as well as advocacy of medical tourism.

Firstly, media and tour company representatives were introduced with diverse opportunities and extra-ordinary medical procedures which are in implementation of this renovated Hotel for the last 5 years.

Effective treatment and healing Naftalan

Currently, the Hotel is composed of medical and hotel components. Within the medical part polyclinic, diagnostic, physiotherapy & SPA centers are in service. The polyclinic carries therapy, neurology, cardiology, dermatology, dietology, gynecology, urology, ear-nose-throat treatment and stomatology rooms. For the Naftalan treatment, the new comers initially pass through the polyclinic diagnosis; in order to evaluate and check if their health conditions can afford it. In case of anything not contradicting with the Naftalan treatment, patient is allowed to go through.

The diagnostic center of the Hotel holds the best and innovative technical resources; including modern digital rentology, fluoroscopy, ultrasound, echo-doppler and medical lab.

It should be also mentioned that at physiotherapy center at Naftalan Chinar Hotel & Spa, it is possible to get therapy at therapy, electro therapy, magnet therapy, laser therapy, ultrasound therapy, magnetic therapy, shocking therapy, hydro therapy, medical massage and traction. There are also 28 Naftalan bath at therapy department.

Through the centralized system, the bath is filled with Naftalan oil bath at 36-38 degrees. The patient enters to the bath with supervision of doctors. If the patient does not feel good during the bath, he/she can deliver message to doctor via specialized electronic system. The entire bath is composed of 10 minutes. Afterwards, patient can deliver shower.

Normal treatment period with the Naftalan oil is 21 days. It is required to have 12-14 baths in this period. The Naftalan oil helps treatment of more than 70 diseases, including nerves, ear-nose-throat, urology, gynecology, periphery vein, etc.

Chinar Hotel & Spa in Naftalan is composed of 20 ha. The outside areas is composed of green space, as well as pave ways, benches, sport center, kids playground center for guests. Also, outdoor statues by sculptor Azad Aliyev provide furhter beauty for the garden. The statues reflect transportation and treatment of Naftalan oil in ancient times.

Number of foreign visitors to Naftalan is increasing

Later on media briefing covering activities of hotel was conducted for info tour participants.

During the conference General Manager of Chinar Hotel & Spa Turgay Ari mentioned that “the Hotel is renovated and in exploitation of guests as of 2011. It is already 5 years that we are in this business. On average 10.000 people visit us. As of now, we have hosted more than 50.000 guests. And the number of guests is increasing on a daily basis. We have a stong basis in Azerbaijani health tourism and we aim to consolidate our reputation and increase number of guests. For this reason, we are implementing various innovations and campaigns. Even, cooperating with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan.” Furthermore, he mentioned implementation of efficient packages for attracting further guests. For example: 2 weeks of package, including medical treatment and 3 times food, is only 59 manat per day.

We aim to be leader of the market by increasing sales of competitive tourism goods

Head of Health and Thermal Tourism Association Ruslan Guliev mentioned that the role of media on promotion of tourism has significantly increased: “ Media puffs up novelties and problems of turism sector, informs society and relevant bodies. Also different decrees and decisions by the President stipulate the development of touism sector and this causes qualitative changes in this sector”.

R.Guliev also said that recently several bodies have seriously contributed to the development of tourism sector as well. Especially Ata Travel assist in development of tourism. Also we can mention training of young staff, organizing info-tours within the country and abroad, involvement of foreigners to these actions, etc. Guliev also indicated the fact that this Hotel plays an important role for allocation of time to extra-ordinary activities internally.

Lots of activities have been conducted in the UAE, Russia, Europe and Kazakhstan for attracting tourists. Currently, we are heavily working on Turkish, European and Gulf regions. The aim is obviously to be leaders of the competitive global market in sale of this product. Herein, it would be important to have support of the government, including tax vaiwe policies. Preparation of roadmap will obviously create a positive impact for development of tourism in the upcoming 15 years. It was also mentioned that Azerbaijan carries an excellent capital – safety and security. Lots of countries carry such problems which do create a challenge for tourism, yet, we can utilize this condition as our primary asset.

Later on head of Naftalan Cultural Department Mr Zohrab Adigozalov mentioned that we are located 330 km from Baku. Our airport will be launched for construction from the next year. Also, “distance to Ganja airport is too close. It is important to bring back and increase reputation of Naftalan with 10.000 inhabitants.”

It was also mentioned that 20.000 people visited Naftalan the previous year, where 4800 people were foreigners. During the first 5 months of 2016, 5000 tourists visited and number of visitors increased by 1200 people in comparison with the previous year period. From January until May of this year, 900 people were foreigners.

Head of Communications department at Ata Holding Mrs. Dilara Zamanova stated that Ata Travel is providing support for further development of tourism sector in Azerbaijan. We are organizing various info tours for foreigners in Azerbaijan, as well as organizing info tours for other countries. It is on our mission to intensive our work in this field.

source: http://www.azernews.az / AzerNews / Home> HealthCare> Travel /July 05th, 2016

Ministry focuses on health tourism

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Bangkok  :

Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports says health tourism could generate more revenue and attract high spend travellers to visit the country.

Tourism and Sports Minister, Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, said health tourism is divided into two segments namely medical and wellness tourism. Both would help to boost the country’s overall revenue.

“About 7 to 8 million international visitors travel for off-shore medical treatment annually…of that 1.2 million visit Thailand…the country has strong potential in terms of service standards, modern technology, professional medical providers on par with Singapore in terms of international certification and offers lower medical costs than India.”

For wellness tourism, the minister said Thailand is ranked 13th in the world. The top three countries are the United States, Germany and France.

“Travellers in this segment are medium to high income earners, well-educated … they spend more and stay longer in the country.”

Currently, Thailand has 1,609 wellness establishments (1,070 for massage, 509 spa and 30 massage for beauty).

“Alternative medicine is gaining importance and recognition in countries around the world,” she said.

According to Department of Health Service Support, Thailand has 7,739 alternative medicine providers.

Wellness tourism that focuses on nature, local wisdom and culture is a new trend, she noted.

“In Thailand, the market for wellness tourism is smaller than medical tourism… Medical tourism grows more than four times that of wellness tourism, but the worldwide trend shows wellness tourism growing 7.3 times faster that medical tourism,” she said.

The minister urged the tourism industry to develop more health tourism attractions such as herbal centres such as the HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Herbal Garden, wellness routes for tourists as well as a specialised website promoting wellness tourism in Thailand.

source: http://www.ttrweekly.com / TTR Weekly / Home> News> Thailand / by Wanwisa Ngamsangchaikit / May 30th, 2016

Kerala all Set to Become a Global AYUSH Destination

 

Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala releasing the Kerala Ayush Health Policy 2016 by handing over a copy to Health Minister V S Sivakumar in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday. K Muraleedharan MLA and M Beena, Secretary, Department of Ayush, are also seen | Manu R Mavelil

Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala releasing the Kerala Ayush Health Policy 2016 by handing over a copy to Health Minister V S Sivakumar in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday. K Muraleedharan MLA and M Beena, Secretary, Department of Ayush, are also seen | Manu R Mavelil

Thiruvananthapuram  :

The state government envisages to make Kerala the global capital of AYUSH systems of healthcare and to position the state as a preferred AYUSH destination in the global Map.  The Kerala AYUSH Health Policy 2016, which was released on Thursday, states that AYUSH systems of medicines will be made a preferred choice of treatment in primary health centres.

Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala released the policy by handing over a copy to Health Minister V S Sivakumar. K Muraleedharan MLA, ISM director Dr Anitha Jacob, Homoeopathy director K Jamuna, Ayurveda Medical Education director Dr T Shivadas and others were present at the function.

The policy urges the Ayush Department to jointly partner with the national and international tourism establishments to make the state the most preferred destination of AYUSH medical tourism and wellness tourism.

According to the policy, the state should have a public sector drug manufacturing unit for Siddha and Unani.  On Medical Pluralism, the policy says that the state government should strive to provide the public with the right to choose treatment as envisaged by WHO and the National policy. It also says AYUSH holistic treatment centres will be established throughout the state and the potentials of AYUSH would be explored into other areas like veterinary sciences and agriculture.

It also says that efforts would be taken to start block-level Ayurveda hospitals, taluk- level homoeopathy hospitals, specialty clinics in district and taluk hospitals. Moreover, the feasibility of starting Siddha hospitals would also be assessed.

Considering that AYUSH has a wider acceptance among the tribal population, steps would be taken to provide AYUSH healthcare services to them. The policy also moots the establishment of wellness and palliative care centres.

It has been said that the existing Government Ayurveda Research Institute for Mental Diseases in Kottakal, will be upgraded to a centre of excellence.

As part of medical education, AYUSH University would be established to enhance the quality of AYUSH health stream. It also states that efforts would be  taken to frame accreditation standard for medical colleges.

It also calls for establishing different streams of medical colleges. In  school syllabus, AYUSH subjects would be included, the policy says. It also plans to provide effective control and treatment of communicable and non-communicable diseases.

What Ayush Envisages

■ Make Kerala 100 per cent Ayurveda and Homoeopathy state by providing these facilities to all local self- government institutions.

■ Exclusive state research centre, upgradation of the existing infrastructure and developing new facilities, including hospitals and dispensaries.

■ To establish the state as the model state for best quality AYUSH education in the country.

■ Kerala to be a model state for best quality AYUSH education in the country.

■ AYUSH holistic treatment centres will be established throughout the state

■ AYUSH University to be established to enhance the quality of AYUSH health stream.

■ To provide the public with the right to choose treatment as envisaged by WHO and the National policy

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram / by Express News Service / March 04th, 2016