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Wellness tourism: Self-betterment trip gets a cosmetic makeover

Posted on December 25, 2014 | Comments Off on Wellness tourism: Self-betterment trip gets a cosmetic makeover
Meditate and get a makeover? Wellness tourism has an updated look.

Meditate and get a makeover? Wellness tourism has an updated look.

The self-betterment trip used to be simple.

It often involved a trip to the exotic east, some meditation and yoga, maybe a massage or facial or three.

Now, it still often involves a trip to the exotic east, but the relaxed face upon your return is just as likely due to Botox, microdermabrasion or fillers as it is to meditation.

We know that cosmetic tourism is thriving.

Last year, more than 23 million cosmetic surgical and non-surgical procedures were performed worldwide and around 15,000 Australians  travelled overseas for their treatments.

Likewise, wellness tourism is growing at a rate of around 10 percent a year  and now accounts for about 14 per cent, or nearly $439 billion, of all domestic and international tourism.

Interestingly, a growing number of Australians are now combining their overseas cleanse with a little cosmetic enhancement.

I was surprised to learn this, when I went to Bali recently to try out treatments at the non-surgical cosmetic spa, Cocoon Medical.

I went for beauty spa treatments than cosmetic, with mesotherapy, LED red light therapy and a gold collagen mask followed by a vitamin infusion in a salt room.

Staying at nearby Nuala retreat, where juice ‘detoxes’ are the order of the day, the host revealed that many retreat-goers would nip off to Cocoon for bit of a facial filler, wrinkle-reduction or other cosmetic pick-me-up.

I’d have thought those chasing spiritual and superficial betterment were on opposite sides of the tourism spectrum.

But, the fusion of the two seems to be the modern version of a holistic upgrade.

And perhaps it shouldn’t be such a surprise given the number of yoga teachers in Sydney who have breast implants, Botox and lips they weren’t born with.

And cosmetic clinics are embracing these new recruits.

Cocoon, for instance, offers treatments typically found at a ‘detox’ retreat – colonics, infrared saunas and vitamin C infusions, as well as their more standard offerings of peels, dermal fillers, Botox and threading.

The fact that people are experimenting with combinations of such treatments is also unsurprising. Overseas, while the risks are potentially greater depending on where you go, the prices are substantially cheaper.

Botox is around $9 a unit compared with around $20 per unit in Sydney. A vitamin infusion, which delivers 30 times the highest oral dosage of the vitamin, on the other hand might cost around $250 a pop in Australia, while a colonic, sauna and massage package is around $200. In Bali however, you’re looking at $230 for the lot.

So unusual as it may seem, self-betterment, these days it would appear, has had an injection and the metaphysical is firmly planted in the material world.

And the glow is inside and out.

source: http://www.smh.com.au / The Sydney Morning Herald / Home> Life & Style> Beauty / by Sarah Berry / December 25th, 2014

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Gallery

American Heart Association to teach life-saving skills

Posted on December 22, 2014

Facility opens at Dubai HealthCare City Dubai: The American Heart Association, a non-profit organisation based in the United States and the world’s largest volunteer organisation dedicated to cardiovascular health, announced the opening of its Middle East and North Africa (Mena) … Continue reading →

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Sagres Vacations and Medical Port Announce 3 Customized Medical Tourism Program

Posted on December 22, 2014 | Comments Off on Sagres Vacations and Medical Port Announce 3 Customized Medical Tourism Program

United States :

Medical Port, the Portuguese Medical Tourism Facilitator that acts as the gateway to private medical care in Portugal, and Sagres Vacations, a US based tour operator focused on delivering enriching tour and travel programs in Portugal, have established a partnership to promote specific medical tourism packages for consumers in the  United States.

Upholding the customers’ needs above all and being able to attend to their individual needs and dreams, both companies have decided to partner and promote dedicated medical tourism packages for the North-American market.

Portugal has been increasing its reputation in the North-American market as a preferred touristic destination in Europe but until now it has been an unknown destination for Americans seeking Medical Travel. With this in mind, Medical Port and Sagres Vacations have created the following customized programs;

PREVENTION IS THE KEY A one week Medical Tourism package for couples to reinforce their commitment to healthy living by combining a thorough health examination in internationally accredited hospitals with Mediterranean cuisine sessions, country-side walking and stress-free activities.

MY HEALTH IS MY CHOICE aims at identifying the causes for obesity and tackles them in a holistic way (mind and body) in order to achieve sustainable results. This two week program also includes utilizing mindfulness based therapies as a powerful tool to make effective behavioral changes and several detox sessions to remove unwanted excesses.

SMALL DETAILS MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE is especially designed for two or more female friends that want to feel and look younger without the need for surgery. You and your friends will “shine” and feel like movie-stars. It includes dermo-fillers, private shopping experience, make-up and hairdresser sessions and other surprises. A truly 100% girls package to start 2015!

Three programs to start 2015 with an important objective:  Ensure your health comes first. Learn more more at http://www.medicalport.org

About Medical Port

Medical Port is the first Global Medical Tourism Facilitator dedicated to gather Portugal’s expertise in Medical Services as well as renowned hospitality in the benefit of the client.

The company’s goal is to provide clients with proper alternatives for medical treatments in private hospitals and clinics in Portugal. Proper meaning cost-effective, quality driven, according to clients’ timings and customized to specific needs. Medical Port makes sure the entire process is quick, smooth and trouble-free, making sure your health comes first.

About Sagres Vacation

Sagres Vacations is a full service travel agency and tour operator bringing clients’ dream destination to reality. The company helps clients to create memorable journeys to Portugal and around the world by highlighting the local traditions, cuisine, history, and iconic sites of all the destinations.  Our extensive vacation and tour planning services and experience will give you a perfect itinerary, tailored specifically to meet your travel needs.

The difference in travel is in its quality, service and details. At Sagres Vacations they pride themselves in offering a personalized travel experience for all the customers.

source: http://www.travpr.com / TravPR.com / Home> Industry> Health-Spa / United States – December 10th, 2014

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Posted in Associations/Organisations/Government/NonGovernment, Medical Tourism/Health Tourism, Reports,Features, Statistics, Travelling For Surgery Abroad / Medical Surgery Overseas