Medical tourism has potential
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
SEVERAL travel agencies in the country have begun to step up efforts to tap medical tourism.
Brunei travel agencies are venturing into this sector by advertising medical travel packages to neighbouring countries like Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia.
"Ten years ago, medical tourism was hardly large enough to be noticed. Today more than 250,000 patients per year visit Singapore alone," said Frederick J DeMicco, Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management and Department Chairperson for Aramark, in 2005.
"People will consider these packages for a number of reasons. Firstly, it depends on from where the tourist is coming and the cost and state of the medical procedures in his/her own country," said Jean Christophe Robles Espinnosa, the Tourism Expert in Product and Marketing Development from Brunei Tourism.
"The price of a medical travel package can start from RM1,000 to RM3,000, in Kuala Lumpur depending on the procedure they want done," said a sales representative from Anthony Tours and Travel Sdn Bhd.
Freme Travel said that "health screening is vital as it leads to early detection of any disease.
That is why they are promoting a Health Screening Package to Singapore, in association with the Raffles Hospital in Singapore."
When asked if Brunei could venture into this niche market, Jean Christophe said, "We have to first see the treatment and facilities that Brunei has to offer. JPMC (Jerudong Park Medical Centre) is not a well-known destination but there is room to develop because of Brunei's healthy environment and Muslim culture."
"It would take a lot of development and it is not something that we can decide or develop on our own, so we would have to work closely with Ministry of Health and JPMC," he pointed out.
The Brunei Times
Brunei travel agencies are venturing into this sector by advertising medical travel packages to neighbouring countries like Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia.
"Ten years ago, medical tourism was hardly large enough to be noticed. Today more than 250,000 patients per year visit Singapore alone," said Frederick J DeMicco, Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management and Department Chairperson for Aramark, in 2005.
"People will consider these packages for a number of reasons. Firstly, it depends on from where the tourist is coming and the cost and state of the medical procedures in his/her own country," said Jean Christophe Robles Espinnosa, the Tourism Expert in Product and Marketing Development from Brunei Tourism.
"The price of a medical travel package can start from RM1,000 to RM3,000, in Kuala Lumpur depending on the procedure they want done," said a sales representative from Anthony Tours and Travel Sdn Bhd.
Freme Travel said that "health screening is vital as it leads to early detection of any disease.
That is why they are promoting a Health Screening Package to Singapore, in association with the Raffles Hospital in Singapore."
When asked if Brunei could venture into this niche market, Jean Christophe said, "We have to first see the treatment and facilities that Brunei has to offer. JPMC (Jerudong Park Medical Centre) is not a well-known destination but there is room to develop because of Brunei's healthy environment and Muslim culture."
"It would take a lot of development and it is not something that we can decide or develop on our own, so we would have to work closely with Ministry of Health and JPMC," he pointed out.
The Brunei Times
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