Hospitality, wellness industries upbeat in 2012

Posted on February 4, 2012 | Comments Off on Hospitality, wellness industries upbeat in 2012

Manila :
With the theme “Blooming at 2”, the Hospitality and Wellness Industries Furnishers and Services Providers Association (HW Pilipinas) is upbeat about the prospects of the industry in 2012 citing the strong business confidence in the country.
HW Pilipinas, composed of players in hospitality and wellness such as personal care, furniture, furnishings, interior design, architecture and other related services, recently celebrated its second year anniversary with optimism.
In her report during the event, Dr. Rashmi Tolentino Singh, HW Pilipinas president, noted that hospitality and wellness were industries that stood out in 2011.
“All we have to do is put our acts together,” she said.
HW Pilipinas was founded for the association to serve as the one-stop shop for the growing hospitality and wellness industries.
Singh was among the first businessmen to submit a list of projects that can possibly avail of promotion funds through the Export Development Council. The Council started to line up projects aligned with the Philippine Export Development Plan for funding. These projects are expected to create immediate positive impact.
Aside from modest funding assistance for advocacy, marketing and promotion capacity building through the industry associations, Philippine Export Confederation (Philexport) also provided enterprise-level services to their members’ needs, President Sergio Ortiz Luis, Jr. said.
Consistent with the Department of Industry’s earlier statements, Ortiz-Luis noted that the non-electronics sector is now improving. This is considering that the decline in total exports was minimal compared with the 34.5 percent drop year-on-year in electronic exports. Products covered by the association’s sector like coconut and by-products, fruits and vegetables are doing well globally.
“As we aim to carve a niche in the export market, it is important to note that the world market for your sector [hospitality and wellness] was estimated to be worth at least US$ 100 billion for bulk ingredients and US trillion for natural products, both food and non-food,“ Ortiz-Luis said.
Ortiz-Luis also added that there are encouraging signals coming from consumers. He said that people are getting conscious of their well-being now regardless of class. Aside from going to the salons or spas, people also take food supplements.
With the new tourism slogan, ‘It’s more fun in the Philippines,” he said saying he was positive that the 10 million tourist target this year can be achieved.
“This spells huge opportunities for medical tourism and health and wellness sector in terms of sales and exposure of products and services,” Ortiz-Luis said.
While 2012 is a challenging year, social and environmental concerns are still a primary concern for the structural design industry vis-à-vis revenues as noted in the best practice mentioned by Architect Felino Palafox Jr during the occasion.
“We give up 30% of potential clients. Last year, I gave up US$ 1 million architect fee [for a project] in Subic because our client wants to destroy 366 trees. The 366 trees that we protected in Subic are worth more than the US$ 1 million I gave up in architect’s fee.”
He said that a 50-year old tree is worth P9 million in replacement cost – the oxygen it provided, fertilizer it shed on earth, water it held, and the beauty it gave to the environment.
Congressman Teodoro A. Casiño also expressed support in addressing the hospitality and wellness industries’ concerns and possible areas of legislation. (PNA)
RMA/bac/utb

source: http://www.ZamboTimes.com / Friday, February 03rd, 2012

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Posted in Medical Tourism/Health Tourism, Uncategorized

Medical Tourism Costa Rica

Posted on February 2, 2012 | Comments Off on Medical Tourism Costa Rica

www.medicaltourismco.com Medical Tourism in Latin America is fast growing due to the close proximity to the USA & many eco-tourism opportunities. Costa Rica is leading the Medical Tourism growth due to the high quality health care, very less crime rate & western friendly tourism infrastructure. Although most medical facilities are run by the government, there are some high quality JCI accredited private hospitals in Costa Rica that are leading the medical tourism trend. San Jose, Costa Rica is not only the capital of the country, but also the primary medical tourism destination in Costa Rica. Medical vacation, surgery trip, health tourism, Overseas Treatment, medical outsourcing, are all terms that describe medical tourism. Surgery packages that include logistics – hotel, travel, logistics, recovery resort stay & more can save about 60% of the USA medical costs. Dental Tourism or Dental Vacation is one more area where people travel abroad for low cost treatments. Medical Tourism Facilitates medical treatment in India, Mexico, Belgium, Turkey, Jordan, Thailand, Guatemala, USA & Costa Rica.

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Posted in Medical Tourism/Health Tourism

Birmingham Hip Resurfacing Surgery in India with International Medical Quality

Posted on February 1, 2012 | Comments Off on Birmingham Hip Resurfacing Surgery in India with International Medical Quality

Birmingham hip resurfacing surgery in India is benefiting in a big way through medical tourism. India has become the latest hub for medical outsourcing, with patients from all over the world flocking to myriad hospitals for treatment. They are the new medical tourists and the country is flaunted as a healthcare destination. According to one magazine, India’s tourism industry can be worth a whopping .2 billion annually in terms of revenue. It was only a question of time before; the country harnessed its vast pool of skilled doctors and nurses along with access to the most modern medical technology, at par with the best in the world. Moreover it enjoys the advantage of a skilled medical workforce fluent in English. All medical procedures including hospitalization and recovery costs much less as compared to America and Europe. Hospitals adhere to global quality standards for treatment and surgery like Birmingham hip resurfacing in India.

What is Birmingham hip resurfacing?

The Birmingham hip resurfacing (BHR) System is a metal on metal resurfacing artificial hip replacement system, surgically implanted to replace a hip joint. The BHR is called a resurfacing prosthesis because only the surface of the femoral head (ball) is removed to implant the femoral head-resurfacing component.

An Ideal candidate for Birmingham hip resurfacing

Birmingham hip resurfacing system is ideal for younger or active patients considering hip replacement surgery as a treatment for hip pain or hip arthritis. Hip resurfacing is especially relevant to patients concerned about bone conservation. Many hip pain sufferers under the age of 60 will outlive a traditional hip replacement and require a second, more difficult hip replacement surgery. For such patients, hip resurfacing might be the best route. Many active patients over 60 years old are also good Birmingham hip resurfacing system candidates, following review by a physician. Inactive or elderly men and women are not ideal candidates for hip replacement surgery. Also, some chronic forms of arthritis severely deform the hip bones. Hip resurfacing may not be the best option for such patients.

Advantages of hip resurfacing:


Allows the patient to squat and sit on the floor safely


Allows a normal range of movement and sporting activities after operation


Sacrifices only the diseased bone and preserves normal bone

Restores the normal structures of the hip


More natural feel after surgery


Early rehabilitation


Easy to revise if needed


Less risk of dislocation


No leg length alteration          

Patients can consult at the best Indian hospitals to undergo specialized surgery with proper arrangements for recuperation, unlike hospitals in their home country which discharge patients early due to lack of beds. Indian doctors are qualified in the fields of cardiac surgery, cosmetic surgery, orthopedics, pediatrics, and dentistry. Most importantly if you compare the cost of treatment, lodging and boarding and airfare, it still works out cheaper by a huge margin. Patients in all over the world covered by medical insurance have to wait for years to undergo treatment. Though many may frown at the mention of India, but a large number of patients not having medical insurance from the US and Europe are undergoing treatment here like Birmingham hip resurfacing surgery in India.

To know more about Birmingham hip resurfacing surgery in India:

http://www.fly2india4health.com

Submit your case details at:

enquiry@fly2india4health.com

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Posted in Health /Medical Treatment For Overseas Treatment, Medical Tourism/Health Tourism, Medical Treatment/Health Treatment Subject By Speciality, Travelling For Surgery Abroad / Medical Surgery Overseas

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Opportunities abound for health tourism

Posted on January 31, 2012 | Comments Off on Opportunities abound for health tourism

The Thai tourism industry’s efforts to promote more niche-market visitors is set to take a step forward when the Global Alcohol Policy Conference convenes in Bangkok between Feb 13-15 this year.

Jointly organised by the Ministry of Public Health, the World Health Organisation, the Global Alcohol Policy Alliance and the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, the conference is part of worldwide follow-up efforts to implement the WHO Global Strategy on Alcohol, which was adopted by the Global Health Assembly in May 2010. The conference will bring together policymakers, advocates, academics, and campaigners who are committed to working towards the development and implementation of effective alcohol policy free from commercial influence.

Speakers will discuss a broad range of detrimental impacts of alcohol abuse and misuse, such as on health, economies, families and societies. A Kenyan delegate is to discuss the impact of alcohol use among police officers and a Laotian delegate will discuss the linkage between alcohol and domestic violence.

Alongside the main event, conference delegates will be offered a choice of six field trips to alcohol prevention and control initiatives or models in Thailand. These include the Santi Asoke Community, the Sum Rae Community and the Phra Mongkut 9 Hospital.

Although Thailand is not exactly known as a place for programmes to control alcohol-related problems, the fact that such facilities exist in the country and are being exhibited to international delegates, could open up a whole new world of opportunity for promoters of health and wellness tourism.

According to the conference website, One of the most exciting moments of GAPC will be the eye-opening field trips showcasing advocacy and community actions designed to explore the successful and on-going policy approaches covering proactive and reactive prevention interventions for alcohol-related problems in various settings.

The six sites have been chosen because the combine a number of different solutions for alchol-related problems. For example, the Santi Asoke is alcohol-free community based on religious beliefs and strong leadership; the Sum Rae community has a community-based “Reduce and Quit” programme where role models who have quit drinking and other community members encourage and offer support to other drinkers to quit, and the Phra Mongkut 9 hospital offers treatment of alcohol-use disorders and rehabilitation, including Alcoholics Anonymous programmes.

Three other field trips include the Klong Lat Mayom Floating Market, an alcohol- and smoking-free market; the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) which has an innovative financing mechanism for well-being including the reduction of alcohol consumption and Asia Precision Co Ltd where all workers and staff are encouraged to good deeds for His Majesty the King by reducing, refraining and quitting the three vices _ drinking, smoking and gambling.

Although the tourism industry itself is a major consumer of alcohol and contributor to alcohol-related problems, such as drunk-driving deaths in the resort islands, refraining from alcohol consumption is a very important part of existing health and wellness programmes. Paradoxically, people come to Thailand both to drink, as well as to break away from drink.

According to the World Health Organisation, the harmful use of alcohol results in 2.5 million deaths each year, with 320,000 young people between the age of 15 and 29 die from alcohol-related causes, resulting in 9% of all deaths in that age group.

Harmful drinking is also a major avoidable risk factor for non-communicable diseases, in particular cardiovascular diseases, cirrhosis of the liver and various cancers. It is also associated with various infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS and TB, as well as road traffic accidents, violence and suicides.

Says the WHO, “In emerging markets and among younger groups increased consumption is apparent. Effective policy is not implemented as widely as is needed. A concerted effort in controlling alcohol-related harm is greatly needed and will involve multiple partners, including academia, civil society organisations and government bodies. Global cooperation can play a significant role in supporting and complementing worldwide national and local actions.”

In May 2010, the WHO adopted the resolution by unanimous consensus of all 193 member states of the WHO. In addition, a global strategy developed in collaboration with member states provides a portfolio of policy options and interventions for implementation at national level with the goal to reduce the harmful use of alcohol worldwide. The resolution endorses the strategy and urges countries to complement and support national responses to public health problems caused by the harmful use of alcohol.

Ten recommended target areas for policy options include health services’ responses, community action, pricing policies and reducing the public health impact of illicit alcohol and informally produced alcohol. WHO was also requested to support countries in implementing the strategy and monitor progress at global, regional and national levels. “The resolution and the strategy set priority areas for global action, provide guidance to countries and give a strong mandate to WHO to strengthen action at all levels on reducing harmful use of alcohol,” says WHO assistant director-general Dr Ala Alwan.

Imtiaz Muqbil is Executive Editor of Travel Impact Newswire at www.travel-impact-newswire.com. Twitter: @travelimpact

source: http://www.BangkokPost.com / Business> Tourism / TRAVEL MONITOR / Newspaper Section> Business / January 30th 2012

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Posted in Medical Tourism/Health Tourism, Reports,Features, Statistics, Wellness Tourism

Dental Vacations – Alternative Ways to Save

Posted on January 31, 2012 | Comments Off on Dental Vacations – Alternative Ways to Save

Dental tourism refers to traveling to another place or country to get affordable dental treatment, dental care, dental surgery or dental procedure because they are very costly in your own country.

The New York Times, in one of their articles regarding dental tourism, said that “roughly half a million Americans sought medical care abroad in 2006, of which 40 percent were dental tourists, according to the National Coalition on Health Care, an alliance of more than 70 organizations. That’s up from an estimated 150,000 in 2004…”
Without a doubt, dental tourism is an effective way to save money. Due to the economic recession in the US the prices of dental insurance have reached a peak. Many of the average Americans can simply not afford these insurance plans so they are left with no option but to travel to other places where they can fix their oral issues for a significantly low price.

Moreover, dental facilities abroad offer you the same, if not better, facilities that you can find anywhere in the US. The dentists are highly qualified trained professionals and have the most modern tools to use for regular procedures. Most of these dentists have had their training as rigorously as any doctor in the US. These dental partners offer you a quick service, and will work in according with your time schedule too.
Some people view dental tourism as a great opportunity for vacation as well.  Since the air fares or rail fares are not expensive, you can even bring along your family or friends. So not only will you have your dental issue fixed, at the same time you can enjoy the trip.

However, there may be some potential drawbacks to dental treatment. You should choose a place that is not too far, otherwise your travel expenses might cancel out any savings. Moreover, it is perfectly understandable to get teeth whitening, if say you were visiting Dubai, but to go to Dubai especially for teeth whitening might not sound a very good idea. Also, if you have to get braces, choosing a local dentist will be more convenient. As you know you have to make frequent visits for routine check up, you cannot go to far off places just for that.

Nevertheless, according to a finding, more than 200,000 thousand people will travel abroad for oral care, and that is almost one percent of the adult American population! Of course if you prefer to stick around home you may also want to check out what options are available to you by browsing online and seeing what plans are available for you in your area before making a decision you may regret later on.

If you’re stuck and need some help finding good information online try using GetFreeDental.com for finding information on local affordable or free dental care near you.

I focus on saving people money and writing on affordable niches. My primary focus is on affordable insurance. In addition, I have had a passion for affordable dental and medical care.

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Posted in Dental Tourism, Reports,Features, Statistics