Thailand addresses medical & wellness tourism

BANGKOK – Nearly 90 tourism facilitators, health tourism organizations and health insurance companies from 18 countries gathered at the Centara Grand at CentralWorld in Bangkok for the "Thailand Medical & Wellness Tourism Trade Fam Trip 2012" organized by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

TAT Governor Suraphon Svetasreni said it is the first trade event targeting medical tourism organizations and health insurance companies. "During the first day of the event, the visiting tourism facilitators had meetings with over 110 Thai medical and wellness providers to earn about the tremendous variety and high quality of services available in the Kingdom," he said.

In addition to the meetings, the TAT also organized a 3-day trip that will provide the opportunity for those on the Fam Trip to experience Thai health and wellness providers, hospitals, spas, and specialized clinics onsite.

"Thai medical providers are well prepared and ready to expand into the global market," Governor Suraphon added. For example, 18 Thai hospitals have received JCI Accreditation, which is the highest number of any Asian country. In the wellness spa sector, Thailand is recognized by various international agencies as "The Spa Capital of Asia."
Vilaiwan Twichasri, deputy governor for Tourism Business and Products for the TAT, said prospective buyers visiting Thailand are interested in a wide range of medical tourism products, including wellness spas, medical spas, and especially integrated medicine and anti-aging products.

"Thai herbal medicines and therapy, as well as an array of Eastern medical knowledge, are also focal points for many international tourism operators, especially in the Russian market. The TAT believes that this is a great opportunity for the Thai health tourism sector, since the high standards of the Thai medical profession are well-known around the world," she said.

Governor Suraphon said the Thailand Medical & Wellness Tourism Trade Fam Trip 2012 was an excellent opportunity for Thai medical providers to meet their international counterparts to help expand the market into countries such as China and Russia. In addition, the Fam Trip emphasizes Thailand's reputation – in the eyes of tourism facilitators from all over the globe – as the world leader in wellness tourism and beauty.