Riyadh Travel Fair (RTF) 2017, the largest travel and tourism exhibition and congress in Saudi Arabia, will for the first time, this April, shine a spotlight on medical tourism.
Medical service providers, hotels, destinations, spas and wellness resorts from around the world will present their latest products, services and special offerings at the four day event, which will be held from the April 7 – 10, at the Al Faisaliah Hotel, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. During the event, presentations and workshops will be held for both medical tourism professionals and the general public alike, so that visitors will be able to learn more about the latest trends and developments in this growing market.
Medical tourism is growing exponentially each year with an increasing number of patients choosing to travel overseas for cosmetic and specialised care. There is an estimated $20 billion in outbound medical tourism coming from GCC countries alone. Increasingly, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, India and the Philippines are becoming popular choices for patients from the Middle East, in addition to the traditional medical tourism destinations within Europe and the US.
Demand and enquiries for this new form of travel are high. Sheikh Imran Hafeez, director of Sales and Marketing, said: “Medical tourism is becoming an important element in the global economy. Travelling abroad to seek medical care is increasing steadily as medical tourists are seeking new technology, expertise and a serene environment to recover and rejuvenate. Riyadh Travel Fair 2017 will showcase the potential of medical tourism along with its plethora of health and wellness offerings from various destinations from around the world. It will also offer a marketing platform for health and wellness providers to discuss prospective business deals with medical tourism facilitators and travel agencies from across the globe.”
Some of the key exhibitors to showcase their medical tourism products include: the Slovenian Tourist Board; Health Spa Terme in Sarajevo, Bosnia Herzegovina; Health Spa Piestany in Slovakia; and the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
Chalermsak Suranant, director, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Dubai and Middle East Office, said: “Thailand is a medical tourism destination with world-class, internationally-recognised medical facilities. Due to Thailand’s excellent facilities, skilled medical professionals and the renowned hospitable and caring nature of our qualified nursing staff, Thailand has cemented a reputation for being a quality medical destination.”
A destination well known for its therapeutic retreats is Slovakia. “Health Spa Piestany is a leading medical centre in Central Europe providing treatments for rheumatism and disorders of the locomotive apparatus and nervous system. Our facility has been known in the Middle East for over 60 years. Recently, a number of refurbishments to our four star hotel premises were undertake in order to better welcome and serve our guests”, said Dr. Michaela Kobzová, director of Sales and Marketing, Slovenské Liečebné Kúpele Piešťany.
This year the Riyadh Travel Fair (RTF) will open its doors for ninth consecutive year. The four day event will become the focus of business networking opportunities, insightful seminar sessions, ministerial discussions and recognition of twelve months of the tourism industry’s achievements.
Riyadh Travel Fair is organized by ASAS Exhibition and Conference Organizing Company and is supported by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority as a Strategic Partner. - TradeArabia News Service
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Riyadh Travel Fair to showcase medical tourism offerings
