Medical Tourism: Traveling in the name of health

As people's attention to health preservation and wellness gradually increases, the international Medical Tourism market is also expanding. Data shows that in 2006, the number of global Medical Tourism visitors was 20 million, and this figure had reached 40 million by 2012. The annual

 

As people's attention to health preservation and wellness gradually increases, the international Medical Tourism market is also expanding. Data shows that in 2006, the number of global Medical Tourism visitors was 20 million, and this figure had reached 40 million by 2012. The annual output value of Medical Tourism has reached 100 billion US dollars, with an annual growth rate of about 20%, and it has become the fastest-growing new industry worldwide. All countries attract consumers from all over the world with their distinctive medical resource advantages and have earned huge foreign exchange earnings in return.

Dr. Yang Jinsong from the China Tourism Academy said that Medical Tourism in Asia has done very well. He cited the development of Medical Tourism in India, saying that the revenue of Medical Tourism in India has been increasing at a rate of 15% every year. Although traveling to India gives the impression that public services are not very good, the private clinics in India are quite perfect. Yang Jinsong introduced that the Indian government strongly supports private medical care and offers a considerable number of preferential policies in terms of importing medical equipment, enabling India's medical equipment to be on par with that of major European and American countries. Secondly, Indian physicians have a high degree of internationalization and generally hold internationally recognized physician qualification certifications. In addition, India's Buddhist culture, affordable accommodation and food, etc., have enabled the country's medical industry to enjoy the brand benefits of services from developed countries at third-world prices. According to Yang Jinsong, a coronary artery bypass surgery in the UK costs approximately 19,000 pounds, while in private hospitals in India, it only costs 4,800 pounds. In the United States, an MRI scan costs 700 US dollars, while in India, it only costs 60 US dollars.

Not only that, the plastic surgery industry in South Korea, as well as dental plastic surgery and orthodontics in Thailand and Singapore, all enjoy a high reputation internationally. "Low prices are only one aspect of its competitive advantage. An international Medical service system and well-developed supporting facilities are another important reason for the prosperous Medical Tourism market." " Yang Jinsong said that the Medical Tourism in countries like India, Thailand and Malaysia is relatively developed because they have very complete private medical service systems, and tourists can receive high-quality services in these countries. Some of their doctors were invited from the West or had received medical education there. Furthermore, countries like Thailand and Malaysia have geographical advantages and abundant tourism resources. When tourists go there, it is not about solving difficult problems but rather a semi-convalescent way. Besides, these countries usually have very good hotels, excellent catering and supporting facilities.

The Chinese market is in its infancy

Looking at the burgeoning Medical Tourism market abroad, cities in China such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou have also shown great enthusiasm for Medical Tourism. Medical Tourism services have been successively launched in places like Beidaihe, Hangzhou and Sanya. In 2010, Shanghai launched a Medical Tourism product development and promotion platform, adopting the TPA model that all overseas Medical Tourism companies are applying, officially taking the first step for China to enter the international Medical Tourism market. At the 2013 Boao Forum for Asia, it was announced that Hainan would establish an international Medical Tourism pilot zone in Boao Lecheng. Recently, the Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism, in collaboration with the Beijing Municipal Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, has for the first time launched seven traditional Chinese medicine health preservation tourism products for domestic and overseas tourists. While visiting famous historical sites such as the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Summer Palace, tourists can also visit the Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum, tour the Chinese herbal medicine planting base, enter the famous doctors' clinics in Beijing to taste seasonal health preservation tea, and personally experience traditional Chinese medicine health preservation methods such as acupuncture and massage. According to a relevant official from the Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism, the development of this traditional Chinese medicine health preservation product will be in line with the target customer group and implement customized service forms. For instance, for urban office workers, mainly stress-relieving products are recommended, with the primary purpose of relaxation and vacation. Targeting the middle-aged and elderly population, it focuses on health preservation products, introducing dietary structures and health preservation knowledge. For female tourists who care about their appearance, the main focus is on introducing to them how traditional Chinese medicine can help with beauty care and health preservation.

Despite numerous attempts in recent years, the domestic Medical Tourism industry has not developed as rapidly as expected. In this relatively new field, Medical Tourism is still more of a concept and has many limitations in terms of scale and significance. In this regard, Yang Jinsong believes that many attempts have not focused on the construction of an international Medical service system, which is precisely the core content of the Medical Tourism industry's market development.


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