Category Archives: Reports,Features, Statistics

Out-of-box suggestions on Kerala tourism from panel of MPs

Posted on September 5, 2013 | Comments Off on Out-of-box suggestions on Kerala tourism from panel of MPs

House panel says cruise tourism should be part of Incredible India campaign

HouseboatCT05sept2013

Spice route tourism and tea tourism are among the options suggested by a Parliament panel for Kerala , to attract international and Indian travellers.
A place where tourism makes for nine per cent of the gross state domestic product, Kerala is being projected as a one-stop location for at least eight types of tourism.

A report by Parliament’s standing committee on transport, tourism and culture, headed by CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury, has listed cruises, wellness, medicine, wildlife, tea, spice route, heritage and film shooting as areas for developing tourism in Kerala.

Cardamom, pepper, nutmeg, tea, coffee, clove, ginger and turmeric might assume a new meaning if spice route tourism is promoted. The committee has backed an initiative in this regard from the state. It would not only revive India’s heritage but give “a larger foothold for garnering world tourism revenue”. The other countries in the spice route would include Afghanistan, Myanmar, China, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Malaysia, Pakistan and Portugal. Kerala Tourism has proposed to link 31 spice destinations in the world, to create a new travel experience.

Also, the cruise potential of Cochin port could be included in the Incredible India campaign’, the panel has recommended. Other ports should also be explored for cruise tourism opportunities, it has said.

Pitching Munnar as one of the prime tourist destinations in India, the committee has said the widespread tea plantations are the region’s unique selling proposition. Tea tourism could be a niche area in Kerala to woo tourists for a special experience. “The tea estates and the bungalows just add another tweak to this perfect serenity.”

Although wellness tourism is already there in the state, the committee says this should be developed as a unique brand to attract tourists from over the world. “The committee would like the state and central government to come up with solution-providing ideas so that wellness tourism in Kerala is developed as a brand.”

To promote medical tourism, the panel has sought support from the Centre, especially around areas such as ayurveda, sidha and unani treatment. Also, medical visa issues need to be addressed.

While praising the state government initiative to develop wildlife and ecological tourism in Kerala, the committee wants vehicular traffic to be restricted inside the Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary. It has also recommended pollution-free and less noisy boats at the sanctuary.

As for film shooting in the state, the committee has recommended a directory of potential locations. The state should also hold workshops and tours for film production executives.

Seeking reduction in tax levels, the committee has noted that Kerala’s tourism revenue in 2012 was Rs 20,430 crore with foreign exchange earnings of Rs 4,548 crore.

ATTRACTIONS AT GOD’S OWN COUNTRY
A report by Parliament’s standing committee on transport, tourism and culture has listed these areas for developing tourism in Kerala

* Cruises
* Wellness
* Medicine
* Wildlife
* Film shooting
* Tea
* Spice route
* Heritage

source:  http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> Economy & Policy> News / by Nivedita Mookerji / New Delhi – August 29th, 2013

Comments Off on Out-of-box suggestions on Kerala tourism from panel of MPs

Posted in Associations/Organisations/Government/NonGovernment, Health /Medical Treatment For Overseas Treatment, Medical Tourism/Health Tourism, Medical Treatment/Health Treatment Subject By Speciality, Reports,Features, Statistics, Travelling For Surgery Abroad / Medical Surgery Overseas, Wellness Tourism

MEDICAL TOURISM TO BRAZIL : Your vacation in a Brazilian hospital

Posted on September 4, 2013 | Comments Off on MEDICAL TOURISM TO BRAZIL : Your vacation in a Brazilian hospital

Is it a resort or a hospital? Tourists and patients from all over the world think it’s both.

Forget the beach. How about going to Brazil to visit a hospital? Growing numbers of tourists are doing just that.

This is one of the most reputable and expensive hospitals in Brazil. It’s out of reach for the vast majority of Brazilians, but like other top medical centers here it’s been attracting a growing number of foreign patients. Medical tourism is growing worldwide and Brazil wants a bigger chunk of this market.

BrazilhealthCT04sept2013

Kelly Matos Idelfonso, Hospital Sirio-Libanes, said, “Health services have been growing a lot over the last years. Hospitals invested a lot in technology, so we are have some of the best facilities in our part of the world. Most foreigners come to Brazil for cosmetic surgery, but our hospital is also a reference in cancer treatment.”

Tourists traveling for medical reasons spend between 40 and 60 billion dollars a year—and the market is growing around 20 percent a year. Brazil receives about 50 thousand medical travelers a year from different parts of the world—mostly from neighboring Latin American countries like Ecuador, Bolivia and Uruguay and mostly for cosmetic surgery.

Reporter: “Foreign patients who come to Brazil for treatment can be roughly divided into two groups. There are those from rich countries – mainly Europeans and North Americans who come here because medical procedures are cheaper – and there are those from poor and developing nations, from Latin America and Africa, who come because of the top quality hospitals that exist here for those who can pay.”

Currently Brazil has 25 hospitals accredited by the Joint Commission International—an organization that certifies the quality of medical services worldwide. Sao Paulo is the most sought after destination.

Bernardo Ignarra, Sao Paulo Turismo S.A., said, “We have an occupancy rate between 80% and 100% in the eight JCI accredited hospitals of Sao Paulo. So this is actually something that has to be sorted – this health system needs to be expanded if we are to grow in medical tourism. But we now these hospitals are planning to invest about one billion dollars over the next two years to expand their facilities and services.”

Brazil is still far from able to provide quality health care for most of its people, but in yet another reminder of this country’s stark income inequality, Brazil has become a popular destination for wealthy foreigners looking for good medical services.

source: http://www.eturbonews.com / eTN Global Travel Industry News / August 21st, 2013

Comments Off on MEDICAL TOURISM TO BRAZIL : Your vacation in a Brazilian hospital

Posted in Health /Medical Treatment For Overseas Treatment, Medical Tourism/Health Tourism, Reports,Features, Statistics, Travelling For Surgery Abroad / Medical Surgery Overseas

Concern birth tourism to CNMI poses health risks

Posted on September 3, 2013 | Comments Off on Concern birth tourism to CNMI poses health risks

The president of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce, Alex Sablan, says he believes the practice of women coming to the Northern Marianas to give birth should be highly discouraged.

There are concerns hundreds of pregnant Chinese tourists have travelled to Saipan in recent years to give birth, reportedly so the child would automatically qualify for US citizenship.

Recently the CNMI delegate to the US Congress, Gregorio Kilili Sablan, warned that birth tourism could put at risk the U.S. visa waiver programme for tourists from China and Russia.

Mr Sablan says the practice should be deterred because of the health and safety risks.

“There is absolute real reasons why they have not allowed women who are in their third trimester onto planes, it’s a very dangerous venture and so you know there’s huge liabilities from many people across the board here and I just believe that this should be discouraged at the origin country.”

Alex Sablan.

Visa waivers introduced in 2009 mean tourists from China and Russia can enter and stay in the CNMI for up to 45 days without needing a U.S. visa.

source: http://www.rnzi.com / Radio New Zealand International / RNZI Home News> News / by Alex Sablan / August 27th, 2013

Comments Off on Concern birth tourism to CNMI poses health risks

Posted in Others, Reports,Features, Statistics, Top Tips (all), Uncategorized

AEC will boost medical tourism

Posted on September 2, 2013 | Comments Off on AEC will boost medical tourism

Bangkok : 

Thailand’s health authorities say more Cambodians will use Thailand’s hospitals services once the ASEAN Economic Community begins in late 2015.

Ministry of Public Health made the comments, last week at a seminar on health services, attended by medical staff working in provinces bordering Cambodia. The conclusion suggested there would be a boom in Cambodians seeking medical services in Thailand. They would cross the border at overland checkpoints and check-in the larger hospitals operating out of provincial capitals.

Officials suggested that AEC would prompt a growth in medical tourism from Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar once the new era of free trade kicks in December 2015.

The borders are already open for residents in neighbouring countries to visit Thailand for medical services, but most of them are wealthy and head for private hospitals in the Thai capital.

CT02sept2013

But the seminar concluded there were business opportunities for private hospitals in provinces bordering Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia. Government hospitals are not encouraged to go into the lucrative regional medical tourism business as they are already overcrowded looking after citizens seeking medical care.

According to Public Health Minister,  Pradit Sinthawanarong, 370 medical staff from Surin, Buriram, Si Sa Ket and Ubon Ratchathani provinces and 400 medical representatives from Cambodia participated in the meeting where they listened to the Public Health Department’s policy on AEC and medical practice.

Thai hospitals situated near the Thai-Cambodian border would need to achieve high standards of safety, medical technology and service if they wished to serve medical tourists from Cambodia.

There are currently 152 hospitals in Thailand that have met the requirements that would allow them to serve the market. However, many of them are already overcrowded dealing with local cases and are not geared to treating foreigners. Language is the main drawback for hospitals when dealing with medical tourists from Cambodia.

Last year, there were over 2 million medical tourists who sought treatment in Thailand.

Meanwhile, Malaysia is already promoting its medical services in Cambodia competing head-on with Thailand’s top hospitals.

Cambodia Association of Travel Agents president, Ang Kim Eang, said earlier that Malaysia was becoming a popular tourism destination for Cambodians. The nearest tourism office is in Bangkok, but promotions in Cambodia are conducted directly by the Malaysia Tourism head office in Kuala Lumpur.

Actually, about 50,000 Cambodians visit Malaysia annually and some of them go for a medical check-up, he said.

“Now, the Malaysian government sees the need to promote this travel segment, I definitely think more people will go there for medical treatment as it competitive with prices in Singapore and Thailand.”

Malaysian hospital fees are 25% below the United States, although Thailand is slightly lower at 30% off the same benchmark, Singapore 35% and India 20%, according to Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council.

source: http://www.ttrweekly.com / TTR Weekly / Home> News> Thailand / by Wanwisa Ngamsangchaikit / August 26th, 2013

Comments Off on AEC will boost medical tourism

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

Stricter visa rules driving away medical tourism from India

Posted on August 28, 2013 | Comments Off on Stricter visa rules driving away medical tourism from India

Prathap C Reddy, the cardiologist who built the Apollo Hospitals chain valued at $2 billion over three decades in India, says he’s seeking growth overseas as the visa policies drive medical tourists to rivals.

Apollo Hospitals is considering hospitals in Indonesia, Cambodia and Tanzania, Reddy said in an interview at his Chennai office. Growth in the number of visitors seeking treatment for heart ailments, cancer and orthopaedic surgery is falling short of Reddy’s estimates as India’s special visa for patients forces them to visit an immigration office, he said.

India, which offers the world’s biggest savings for US medical tourists, is losing clients to Singapore and Thailand as visa rules and greater awareness of drug-resistant germs that spread from the country scare away patients. Government neglect means India may fail to tap the $40 billion market that’s expanding 25% a year, said Josef Woodman, founder of the guidebook Patients Beyond Borders.

“They’ve done everything to ruin our prospects of becoming a medical tourism centre,” Reddy said. “I once said India should become the global healthcare destination — now I’m swallowing those words. It could grow 10-fold in the next five years, if only the government would facilitate it, the way others have.” Apollo forecasts the number of overseas patients seeking treatment at its hospitals in India will increase by about 23% to 80,000 in the year ending March 31.

India attracted as many as 350,000 medical tourists in 2012 compared with 250,000 a year earlier, according to Patients Beyond Borders. Thailand treated as many as 1.2 million overseas patients last year, while Singapore had 610,000 medical visitors, according to the guide.

Out Patients

Fortis Healthcare set up a hospital in Singapore last year, and in 2009 bought a stake in a hospital in Mauritius. Apollo too has hospitals in Mauritius and Bangladesh. “India has been fairly neglectful of this industry,” said Woodman “It makes a lot of sense and Indian hospitals like Apollo and Fortis are well-positioned to seek a foothold in parts of the world where people have no access to quality care.”

Apollo and its competitors are also expanding into developed markets to tap patients who are looking for treatment at a lower price. Bangalore-based cardiologist and businessman Devi Shetty has expanded his Narayana hospital chain to the Cayman Islands, where he will open a 140-bed cardiac surgery centre early next year.

US patients can save 65-90% by seeking treatment in India ranging from a coronary artery bypass to rhinoplasty, according to Woodman. The average cost of a hip replacement in India, which has emerged as a “thrift” destination for orthopaedics and cardiac surgery, is one-fourth of that in the US, he said. Medical tourism to India will increase if the nation allows faster clearance for patients through immigration points, and guarantees the processing of medical visas within 24 hours, said Vishal Bali, group chief executive officer of Fortis Healthcare, in an interview. Gurgaon-based Fortis sees about 11,000 international patients a year, Bali said, compared with 65,000 at Apollo in the year ended March.

“India has great potential to be a big player in global health care,” Bali said. “India is the hub of our entire health-care delivery system” with the company using hospitals in India to serve patients from South Asia, Middle East and the West, and Singapore to treat patients from Southeast Asia, he said.

Did the Visa Help?

India in 2005 introduced a special visa for medical tourists, to bolster the industry. However, restrictions imposed by the visa have made it harder for them to enter the country for medical treatment, Reddy said. The visa, valid for one year, requires patients to register with the Foreigner Regional Registration Office within two weeks of their arrival, a process that is “insulting” and physically taxing for people suffering from serious health problems, Reddy said.

The permit allows three entries, making it harder for doctors to provide follow-up treatment and deal with complications, he said. The medical visa is also costlier than a tourist visa and isn’t available in nations in Africa, which accounts for a majority of the patients seeking treatment in India, according to an Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management report.

The rules mean “India is losing these patients to Thailand,” the report said. V Vumlunmang, a joint secretary in the ministry of home affairs, didn’t respond to e-mails and phone calls to his office, seeking comment.

Superbug Scare

The medical journal Lancet three years ago reported the spread of a superbug with a gene dubbed NDM-1, short for New Delhi etallo-beta-lactamase-1, a reference to the city where a Swedish man was hospitalised with an infection that resisted standard antibiotic treatments. Reddy said concerns about drug-resistant bugs were excessive. The market for medical tourism in India will grow at an annual rate of 30% to Rs 95 billion ($1.55 billion) by 2015, according to the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India.

Thailand earned 31.12 billion baht ($995 million) in the year ended March 31, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand. “Medical tourism became a priority for Thailand and Singapore,” said Fortis’ Bali. “Both have sort of taken on that opportunity at the highest levels within the country, because they felt there was an economic upside for them by supporting this trend. We haven’t really taken it on as a national priority.”

source: http://www.articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com / The Economic Times / Home> Collections> Visa and Immigration / by Bloomberg / August 15th, 2013

Comments Off on Stricter visa rules driving away medical tourism from India

Posted in Reports,Features, Statistics, Travelling For Surgery Abroad / Medical Surgery Overseas