Category Archives: Associations/Organisations/Government/NonGovernment

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Medical Tourism Workshop Brings Industry Stakeholders to Tbilisi, Georgia

Posted on July 3, 2013

The Medical Tourism Association® (MTA), in collaboration with MedTourGeorgia, presented a daylong workshop on “Opportunities for Medical Tourism in Georgia,” June 25, 2013, at Tbilisi State Medical University. Palm Beach Gardens, FL, : The Medical Tourism Association® (MTA), in collaboration … Continue reading →

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New tourism dev’t plan to think ‘beyond beaches’

Posted on June 20, 2013 | Comments Off on New tourism dev’t plan to think ‘beyond beaches’

The Philippines  must think “beyond beach vacations” when promoting its tourism industry, a Department of Tourism official said at the recent unveiling of the department’s National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) at the Asian Institute of Management.

Tourism Undersecretary for Tourism Development Daniel G. Corpuz said that along with sun and beach tourism, the industry must promote other things the Philippines has to offer: nature tourism, cultural tourism, leisure and entertainment tourism, MICE (meetings, incentives, conferencing, exhibitions) and events tourism, health and wellness tourism, retirement tourism, cruise and nautical tourism, diving and marine sports tourism, and education tourism.

The department has set a target of 10 million international visitors to the Philippines and 56 million domestic travelers by 2016.

Corpuz said that increasing the tourist volume to the country can be achieved by developing and marketing competitive tourist products and destinations; improving market access, connectivity, and destination infrastructure; and improving institutional governance and human resources—which will need the cooperation and help of other government agencies.

“Tourism is a major instrument to contribute to national development, and the National Tourism Development Plan must be synchronized with the Philippine Development Plan,” he said.

The department’s international visitor target for this year is 5.5 million, considerably more than the 4.3 million international tourist arrivals recorded last year. The top sources of international travelers to the Philippines have been South Korea, the US, Japan, and China.

The volume of domestic travelers, which was 40.7 million in 2012, is expected to increase to 44.1 million in 2013.

Tourism Assistant Secretary Roland Cañizal stressed the point that greater integration among government agencies would boost tourism development in the Philippines, such as the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) providing access roads to tourist destinations; the Department of Transportation and Communications’ (DOTC) upgrading major airports; and local governments’ boosting their tourism destinations.

“This is the kind of thinking that we want to cascade to all the local government units—that if they are serious about being a part of the National Tourism Development Plan, their seriousness is translated in terms of their commitment to develop their areas and to put the necessary resources to make sure that the plan is being implemented,” he said. — BM, GMA News

source: http://www.gmanetwork.com / GMA News Online / Home> Lifestyle> Travel / June 16th, 2013

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Posted in Associations/Organisations/Government/NonGovernment, Medical Tourism/Health Tourism, Reports,Features, Statistics

Diaspora Conference : ‘Gov’t should lead health tourism’

Posted on June 19, 2013 | Comments Off on Diaspora Conference : ‘Gov’t should lead health tourism’

A Jamaican working overseas says any thrust by Jamaica  to capitalise on the lucrative global health tourism market , must be driven by the government  if it is to be successful.

DiasporaCT19jun2013
Dr Jacqueline Watson, who is the Chief Executive Officer of the US-based Health Concepts International, says the government should adopt health tourism as an industry.

She also says Jamaica has a distinct advantage relative to other developing countries such as India and Costa  Rica, which are currently engaged in health tourism, given its already-established position as a tourist  destination.

Dr Watson also lists Jamaica’s proximity to the United States  and the quality of its healthcare workforce as advantages.

Dr Watson made her comments at the fifth biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference in Montego Bay yesterday during a panel discussion on Medical Tourism.

The conference is expected to continue today.

source: http://www.go-jamaica.com / Go-Jamaica / Home> News / June 18th, 2013

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Posted in Associations/Organisations/Government/NonGovernment, Medical Tourism/Health Tourism

Latvian e-health and health tourism professionals meet foreign chambers of commerce

Posted on June 13, 2013 | Comments Off on Latvian e-health and health tourism professionals meet foreign chambers of commerce

Thursday, June 6, the Irish Latvian Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the British Chamber of Commerce, Norwegian Chamber of Commerce and the Latvian IT Cluster will host business breakfast dedicated to e-health and health tourism developments in Latvia.

During the event, the Ministry of Health and representatives from hospital, health tourism and IT companies will share their experience and discuss the current e-health and health tourism issues – how to develop health tourism in today’s Latvian economy and how to foster greater cooperation between health institutions and the IT industry .

During the event e-health systems developed by the Latvian IT Custer members, as well as planned health care quality improvements due to the wide application of these systems in the health sector will be presented as well.

In addition the Scandinavian countries’ experience in the hospital sector in the Baltic States will be discussed within informal atmosphere.

The event will take place in RIGA IT DEMO center.

More information on e-health systems in Latvia you can find at: www.itbaltic.com/e-health/

source: http://www.itbaltic.com /Latvian IT Cluster / Thursday – June 06th, 2013

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Posted in Associations/Organisations/Government/NonGovernment, Healthcare Service Providers, Medical Tourism/Health Tourism

Medical tourism counter proposed at airport

Posted on June 10, 2013 | Comments Off on Medical tourism counter proposed at airport

Ahmedabad :

The Airport Authority of India (AAI) has issued a tender for opening a medical tourism counter  – a first of its kind – at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport to facilitate the international tourists get the best medical care in the city.

“The aim is to improve facilities for passenger and not to earn money,” said R K Singh, airport director . AAI will provide 10 sq m of space at the arrival area of the international terminal to the highest bidder.

The space will be provided at Rs 3,500/sq m/month which is much less than what AAI charges for other counters like food and hotels. “We usually charge Rs 6,500/sq m/month but for medical tourism counter, we are offering a subsidized rate,” said Singh.

The counter is aimed at providing the necessary information regarding the procedures, monetary transaction and international code of treatment. On being asked why will patients come to medical tourism counter at airport when they already have a tie-up with the hospital concerned, Singh said, “People always seek better facilities. The counter will help them find the best option available for them.”

“If you go to a hospital, you will have to wait for your turn for long. The plan aims to do away with this waiting time. AAI has consulted with Apollo Hospitals , Shalby Hospitals and Vasan eye care for the medical tourism counter,” he added.

Ahmedabad being one of the fastest growing cities is aspiring to be one of the best healthcare providers in the state as well as India. The growth of 33 per cent has been registered in the number of medical tourists in the state while the country has registered growth of 20 per cent.

The city hospitals are seen as hot destination for medical tourism from all over the world. This has pushed the city hospitals to upgrade their technology, infrastructure and bring them to the level of developed countries.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Ahmedabad / by Piyush Mishra, TNN / June 10th, 2013

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Posted in Associations/Organisations/Government/NonGovernment, Medical Tourism/Health Tourism, Others