Tag Archives: IMTEC

To tout the country’s image as a preferred healthcare & wellness destination, India participated in a big way at this year’s International Medical Travel Exhibition and Conference (IMTEC) at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC). According to some recent Medical industry reports India’s medical tourism market is expected to grow to USD 8 billion in the next four years. Industry analysts have pointed out that drivers for this growth includes India’s position as being the second largest country with the most number of accredited facilities (after Thailand) offering high quality healthcare with immediate service. Another driver seen is cost as India is known for offering quality medical treatments at affordable costs. The number of international visitors travelling to India for medical treatment has increased in recent years with the rise of private hospitals that offer world-class medical infrastructure and the capabilities for complex operations & procedures. Globally, the medical value travel is projected to increase to USD 32.5 billion over the next five years. Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC), set up by the Department of Commerce under India’s Ministry of Commerce, participated on behalf of the Government of India at the event showcasing the theme, ‘India Heals’ and promoting India as an ideal healthcare and wellness destination.  They further explained the features of the new India Healthcare Tourism Portal (www.indianhealthcaretourism.com) which was launched jointly by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt. of India and the Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC). The portal is a comprehensive one-point information site and covers hospital-related and travel-related information on India. The medical facilities listed on the portal can be searched by location, medical specialty, key procedures, language options available in hospitals …

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 …