Medical tourism in Asia is growing rapidly, far outpacing the 4 to 6 percent growth in general travel bookings, with the number of medical tourist visits to many countries swelling by 20 to 30 percent a year (Medical Tourism Association, 2008). The industry in Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and India, currently worth around half a billion dollars a year in Asia, is projected to generate more than US$4 billion by 2012. Medical Nomad.com lists these countries as the top medical tourism destinations.

According to the CIA World Fact Book, by 2007, Thailand’s tourism sector had largely recovered from the major 2004 tsunami. As such, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) contends that at least five million tourists come to the country annually for medical treatment. Various plastic surgery clinics could attest that the number of both Thais and foreigners undergoing dental and plastic surgeries, lasik, and other physical enhancement procedures is increasing. Aside from these, Thailand has earned its reputation as an excellent location for spa services.

Thailand also has its own Hospital Accreditation program conducted by the Institute of Hospital Quality Improvement & Accreditation. Bumrungrad International Hospital was the first hospital in the country to be accredited by this program in 1999 and was reaccredited in triennial reviews in 2002 and 2005. The Thai accreditation process is demanding: only 14 private hospitals in Bangkok (out of over 100) have earned it.

Data points – medical tourism in Asia
A report issued by Abacus International in April of 2006, details the country-specific market sizes and differentiators:

• Thailand welcomes millions of medical tourists each year because of the variety of procedures available. Bumrungrad, for example, offers a full spectrum of surgical services performed by certified doctors.



• Singapore is known for delivering cutting-edge medical treatment and attracts medical tourists with its competitively priced services. For example, hip-replacement surgery costs two-thirds less in Singapore than in the United States. According to the report, Singapore attracts 370,000 medical tourists each year and is targeting one million medical visitors and $1.6 billion dollars in revenue by 2012.



• India, whose medical tourism business is growing at 30 percent per year, currently draws about 150,000 visitors each year. It is forecast to generate at least $2.2 billion dollars by 2012. The report cited the low death rate for coronary bypass operations as evidence of quality health care.



• Malaysia, which drew 100,000 patients in the first half of 2005, expects its medical tourism receipts to reach $590 million dollars in five years' time.



• The key sources of Asia’s medical tourists are Indonesia, Malaysia, the Middle East, and China, but some come from the United States and Europe, as well.

Visit Medical Nomad for a list of accredited hospitals and medical facilities in Thailand, as well as information on various aspects of medical tourism in Asia and beyond. For more information about translating materials or localizing your website for Thai speakers, contact us.

SOURCES:
http://www.abacus.com.sg/default.aspx
http://www.jointcommissioninternational.org
Institute of Hospital Quality Improvement & Accreditation (Thailand)
http://www.medicalnomad.com/Accreditation.jsp