The impressive growth of the medical tourism and wellness industry – which now records an average of over a million annual tourist arrivals and some 40 billion Baht per year—has pushed the Thai government and private sector to join hands in an aggressive campaign to support Proud Asia 2007, the 1st international trade exhibition and conference on medical tourism, spa & wellness industries to be held on 27-30 September at the Impact Convention Center in Muangthong Thani.
Proud Asia 2007, Thailand’s bid to be Asia’s hub in the medical tourism, spa and wellness industries, is expected to be the largest gathering of industry practitioners, including some 300 exhibitors and 15,000 visitors from Asia Pacific and beyond.
Yearayong Chairut of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has touted the world-class quality of medical tourism and spa industry in the Kingdom, making it one of the ‘major attractions’ in the country and becoming a major contributor to the national economy.
According to Dr Kamol Wattanakrai, secretary general of The Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons of Thailand, the recorded number of tourists and the income generated by these industries are still expected to rise every year as Thailand offers high quality yet less expensive products and services, including physical surgical procedures,
The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), represented by Sangiam Ekachote, added that Thailand has excellent potential because private hospitals in the country now have highly qualified medical staff and are equipped with the latest technology.
Associations that are part of the event are the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, TAT, ATTA, The Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons of Thailand, The Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons of Thailand, The Federation of Thai Spa, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau and Spa Wellness Association Singapore.