Author Archives: Julie Munro

Bangkok medical tourism troubles

Amazing Thailand discount shopping for medical tourismThe “Ah” has gone from “Amazing Thailand”. At least in medical tourism.

In the days immediately following the anti-government protests in Bangkok, social network users on the internet found it hard to restrain themselves from gloating over the apparent destruction of Thailand as a medical destination and the opportunities this may present to other countries.

A great deal now hinges on how the Thai government, specifically its tourism arm, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), acts to promote Thailand as a medical tourism destination in the coming year.

Sustained and cohesive promotion efforts are not likely to happen soon, insiders agree. While TAT has been working on a medical tourism Read more…

9 questions new medical tourism companies should ask

When I talk with clients about today’s issues in the medical tourism industry, I suggest they consider a number of questions as they develop or review their business strategy for a medical travel or health tourism business.

Here are 9 questions to ask as you start your medical tourism business. Read more…

Medical tourism 2.0

Medical tourism 2.0It’s a new world for medical tourism in 2010.

Whether you manage a hospital, clinic or wellness spa or center; whether you are a doctor, dentist or other medical practitioner, a medical travel agent or broker, a hotel operator or travel agent; whether you want to provide a treatment or offer a patient handling service, you must look beyond yesterday’s business model. Read more…

New business strategies for changing times in medical tourism

Hearing colleagues protest about the lack of medical tourists and patients or the poor service given by providers or agencies is not a new phenomenon.

In the first wave of enthusiasm almost a decade ago for the business of medical tourism, despite millions of dollars being invested by businesses and hospitals, only a few medical tourism companies actually delivered patients, and just a few long term business relationships were realized. These companies, and these relationships, continue to be strong today. The others? They complained about the lack of patients and the poor service from providers or agencies.

Just like today. Read more…

Medical tourism a catalyst for change: Vishal Bali, Fortis Healthcare

Medical tourism is opening doors to the world for Asia’s hospitals, believes Vishal Bali, CEO of Fortis Healthcare.

Given the Fortis purchase of a significant share of the Parkway hospitals last month, we wondered what this might mean for Asian and global health care.

In an interview with MTQUA, Bali gives us his view of the future of health care. “There is a decentralization of providers from just being in certain regions… Asian hospital groups are now Read more…