70 exhibitors at IMTEC 2016

The International Medical Tourism Exhibition and Conference (IMTEC), held from October 9-10, 2016 at the Dubai Exhibition and Convention Center, saw over 70 exhibitors with around 2000 visitors in total. Tourism Authority of Thailand Dubai and Middle East office “Thai pavilion” was the busiest during IMTEC 2016. The pavilion was set up with an aim to further grow the number of medical tourist arrival in Thailand from the Gulf region. Nationals of GCC countries; Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, can enjoy their medical treatment in Thailand for 90 days without a visa. The regulation also allows a patient to have not more than 3 individuals who are GCC nationals (i.e. parents, children, spouse or maid), accompanying him or her to stay in Thailand for 90-days without visa as well. Further details are available on the website of the Royal Thai Embassy and Royal Thai Consulate in all GCC countries.

This year’s IMTEC focused on both inbound and outbound medical travel experts from around the globe. Among the highlights of the event’s opening day included a presentation of a global study conducted by Medigo, a globally recognized platform for patients seeking access to hospitals around the world, that showed how healthcare providers – from small clinics to large, multi-center hospital chains, in 19 countries are turning to online marketing as a way to increase brand awareness and attract patients.

His Excellency Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Qatami, Director General of the Dubai Health Authority; and His Excellency Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing led the opening ceremonies and a walk through, welcoming the delegates and the exhibiting companies at this year’s edition of the region’s leading medical tourism exhibition and conference.