Malaysia is looking forward to emerge as a reasonable and sophisticated healthcare center in Asia, and to realize its dream, it is already taking services of highly skilled staff.
Malaysia has started to emerge as an affordable, yet sophisticated, healthcare hub in the continent apart from being a well-acknowledged tourist destination famous for its natural, cultural and historical attractions, as reported by thestaronline,
As per the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) forecast, medical tourist arrivals will surge by 25% in the current year to reach nearly 625,000 tourists as compared to 501,000 tourist arrivals in 2008. Earlier, the Association estimated growth rate of 30%.
Malaysia is gradually gaining international reputation as one of the preferred destinations for the medical tourists on account of its modern healthcare amenities as well as highly efficient medical staff. Malaysian medical expertise matches with that of the western countries and majority of private hospitals in the country follow globally recognized quality standards.
The Malaysian tourism sector remains optimistic about the future of medical tourism sector in the country despite the downturn in growth due to economic recession. It is mainly because of the price advantage that Malaysia enjoys over Thailand and Singapore. Besides, the latter countries are witnessing political turmoil that might further deter the medical tourists.
In line with their counterparts in Thailand and Singapore, several local private hospitals in Malaysia are now having staff, counters, medical packages as well as special arrangements for travel and accommodation to cater to foreign medical tourists.
In addition, Malaysia is likely to enjoy the price advantage over Singapore, unless and until Singaporean players make drastic adjustments in prices, though it is highly unlikely in view of Singapore’s higher labor and operating costs.
Moreover, as the financial turmoil continuing its wicked game, Indonesians accounting for the highest number of tourists to Malaysia and Singapore may prefer receiving treatment in Malaysia due to its cheaper services.
According to a Research Analyst at RNCOS, “Malaysian medical tourism needs to be developed as a national project consisting of decent national budgets instead of depending upon the individual private hospitals spending. Present environment has raised the opportunities for the country to grab some of the Thailand’s tourism market share, provided Malaysia offers comparable amenities at competitive costs.”
Related Market Research Reports:
Booming Medical Tourism in India
Asian Medical Tourism Analysis (2008-2012)
Opportunities in Malaysian Tourism Industry (2007-2009)
