Thailand earns U.S. dollars 12 billion per year from wellness. Medical and wellness tourism have been important segments of Thailand’s tourism industry for several years. The ‘Land of Smiles’ is a leading wellness tourism destination. Thailand wellness tourism and medical tourism will work best together, providing higher value tourism.
Thailand welcomed 38 million international tourists in 2018. In 2019, about 41 million visitors are expected. Around 2.5 million medical tourists visit Thailand every year for a wide range of procedures. The country has several internationally accredited hospitals. Bumrungrad Hospital alone serves over 800,000 international patients per year.
Thai massage is also internationally popular, along with Thai boxing. Some of the wellness resorts of international acclaim are Chiva Som, Samahita and Kamalaya.
Globally, wellness tourism is growing at an average rate of 6.5 per cent every year. It is twice that of the overall tourism market and international wellness tourists spend an average of 53 per cent more than regular international tourists.
The merger of Thailand wellness tourism and medical tourism will help to combine leading medical expertise with the holistic approach. It will cater to overall well being including a nutritious diet, physical fitness, mental wellness, thermal bathing and complementary treatments. The best medical knowledge is combined with an hotelier’s mind-set towards guest service.
Tags: medical tourism, Thailand, Tourism, wellness tourism
