THE Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) recently held its first medical health and wellness roadshow in the region visiting Abu Dhabi, UAE, Muscat, Oman, Doha, Qatar, Manama, Bahrain and Kuwait.
A series of seminars and presentations was conducted to educate and promote Thailand’s expertise and specialisation in providing cutting-edge health and medical care to residents of the Gulf region.
The initiative saw representatives from Thailand’s leading hospitals and wellness centres meeting directly with industry professionals, medical travel consultants and coordinators, as well as regional government representatives and other interested individuals, to provide first-hand information and details on the advantages of choosing Thailand for medical and wellness needs.
The Abu Dhabi edition of the road show included a series of presentations and round table discussions with leading UAE specialists and medical tourism focused operators. A similar series of seminars and presentations were also conducted in Muscat, Doha, Bahrain and Kuwait and included the group’s participation at the three day Kuwait Medical Tourism Conference & Exhibition, where TAT participated with its own stand and had the country’s leading medical tourism development specialist, Dr Surapong Ambhanwong, president Thai Private Hospital Association and chief medical and international business officer Phyathai 2 Hospital, make a presentation as special guest.
Thailand currently holds 38% of the world’s market share of patients travelling internationally for medical and wellness care resulting in more than 920,000 travellers visiting the kingdom annually and making it the number one destination for medical tourists. The scope of procedures conducted in Thailand is wide, covering many medical fields and areas of expertise. Additionally, many visit Thailand to seek professional advice for a better quality of life through Thailand’s many alternative medical centres and hospitals.
Participating institutions on the roadshow included Phayathai 2 Hospital, Bangkok Hospital, Bangkok Hospital Pattaya and Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital among others.
Pramoth Supyen, director of TAT Dubai and Middle East office, said: “This was the first year for TAT to conduct a medical tourism roadshow to the Middle East and we are very happy and encouraged by the results. It proved a great opportunity for Thailand’s leading medical facilities and practioners to meet directly with the Gulf’s leading governmental, medical and medical outbound professionals. Based on the initial positive results we expect this roadshow, and the relationships forged through it, to continue to grow and strengthen in the future.”