Thailand will focus more on the development of medical tourism and has set the target of 10 Million foreign visitors for 2010.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will focus on the development of medical tourism in 2010, says National News Bureau (NNT), as reported by
BERNAMA on December 28, 2009. The government is already taking steps to attract more tourists to meet the set target.
Prakit Chinamourphong, President of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), said, “Tourists seeking healthcare services in Thailand would reach 10 Million in five years (till 2014), as statistics show more than 1.2 Million medical tourists already coming each year,” as reported by
The Nation Business on December 29, 2009.
In order to achieve the set target of 10 Million tourists, the Thai government will organize road shows as part of its marketing strategy. Apart from this, the Ministry is trying to get approved Visa fee waiver for medical tourists by the end of 2010 to support the industry growth.
Besides, there are several other factors that will help the industry to grow in future. According to a research report “
Asian Medical Tourism Analysis (2008-2012)” by
RNCOS, medical care is quite high when compared with regional standards; waiting lists are very short and treatment is generally cheaper by 60-70% from Europe and the US. In fact, treatment is substantially low compared to other Asian markets such as Singapore.
With the emergence of Thailand as Asia’s medical hub, immense growth opportunities in other related fields are being created. For instance – the medical device sector has been continuously growing owing to the healthcare facilities for upgraded or new medical machinery and devices.
Thailand is also getting recognition for clinical and research trials of advanced medicine and stem cell treatments. As the Thai medical tourism industry will continue to grow, the healthcare infrastructure will develop in leaps and bounds as well.
According to a Research Analyst at
RNCOS, “Thailand holds strong growth potential to take its medical tourism to a new peak. However, the competition level with other Asian countries such as South Korea and Malaysia is intensifying and putting pressure to adopt effective strategic tactics. The Thai government should focus on the development of medical and healthcare infrastructure in order to improve the inflow of tourists from foreign countries and to stay ahead of the neighboring countries.”
Related Market Research Reports:
Booming Medical Tourism in India
Emerging Medical Tourism in South Korea
Malaysia Medical Tourism Outlook 2012 
.jpg "Asian Medical Tourism Analysis (2008-2012)")
