Recommend October 2011 - (Page 44)

MEDICAL TOURISM O ne brief walk around Bangkok says it all. Signs and billboards offering every type of medicinal treatment known to man are found virtually on every block, proof that this thriving city is a booming destination for medical tourism, the travel industry’s fastest growing niche component. It wasn’t long ago when most visitors came purely to enjoy the potent beauty and enchanting culture that justiﬁably has made Thailand one of the most favored Asian destinations. Of course, tourists still come by the planeload, but among those are a considerable number who—often driven by the prohibitive costs of medicine in their homeland—will leave with x-rays as part of their signiﬁcant picture collection taken during their visit. Of the large and increasing number of countries offering quality health care to foreigners, Thailand is making medical tourists sit up and take notice because of its ﬁrst-rate care, doctors, hospitals, clinics and health facilities that often hold their own with or rival the best in the U.S. or Europe. In recent years, the kingdom has seen the number of medical facilities grow, as that walk around Bangkok shows. Presently, there are more than 30 hospitals catering to medical tourists in Bangkok alone. The number increases as one ventures into the provinces where tourists congregate. As is usually the case, medical costs play a crucial role in Thailand’s growing status as a medical destination. According to Health Department ﬁgures, more than 150,000 Americans traveled abroad for health care this year. The reasons are twofold: cost and the quality of care. As for cost, according to “Patients Without Borders: Everybody’s Guide to Affordable, World-Class Medical Tourism,” an authoritative book by Josef Woodman, overseas care can trim anywhere from 60 to 80 percent—sometimes even more—from the cost of major treatments. If coming to Thailand for health care is the primary reason for making the trip, a traveler will ﬁnd a multitude of facilities offering different degrees of care and expertise and Thai medical tourism is so successful and its reputation so remarkable, many major American health insurers cover—or are considering covering—some types of offshore medical procedures. As a result, many U.S. travel agents and tour companies are taking a particular interest in medical tourism, offering trips that combine medical treatment followed by a vacation or recovery period at one of Thailand’s legendary luxury resorts. Where does a travel agent turn when inquiries are made about medical travel to Thailand? Since this is a highly specialized and complicated aspect of the travel industry, several entities focusing exclusively on medical travel are sprouting. One of the most highly regarded is Thailand Medical Travel and Tourism (TMTT)—based in San Diego, CA, and a division of Hawaii- based International Travel Services—(thaimedtraveltourism. com), whose primary mission is to bridge the gap between travel agents and Thai medical services. According to Kiki Bright, v.p. of TMTT, “[We are] an intricate detail service-oriented business requiring personalized service that extends above and beyond hospitality. It requires relationship, attention to detail and signiﬁcant planning. It isn’t enough to know what the client wants. We focus directly on the client’s actual needs. Our most important task requires detailed information about the medical background of the prospective patient, as well as an extensive familiarization with Thai doctors, clinics and hospitals. We also pride ourselves in knowing the essential details that make a medical trip as comfortable, safe and secure as possible on emotional and physical levels.” According to Bright, in the 11 years since beginning operations, TMTT has sent countless clients to Thailand where it has developed strong working relationships with a network of highly skilled and reputable Thai physicians, clinics and hospitals. “It’s extremely important to have a good relationship with medical providers, since this allows us to coordinate initial dialogue between doctors and prospective patients, the scheduling of medical consultations and—most importantly—setting up examinations and treatments in advance,” she says. Since medical tourism just might be the travel industry’s T8

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend October 2011

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk: Coworth Park, London
Tour Talk: Cox & Kings
Paws Up Ups "Glamping" to New Heights
"Alpine" Adventure at Four Seasons Resort Vail
Hotel Beaux Arts Miami
Out & About in New York City
Adventures on Hayman Island
It's the Good Life at The Leela Kovalam Beach
Peninsula Shanghai & Hong Kong
Silversea's Silver Spirit
Thailand Travel Planner
Luxury in the Wilderness, by Best of Patagonia
Savoring St. Vincent & the Grenadines
CuisinArt Resort & Spa, Anguilla
Luxurious Egypt
A Good Turn for Bern, Switzerland
Mexico's Luxury Trail

Recommend October 2011