THE THAILAND Medical Tourism Federation (TMTF) is in the process of getting registered, two years after a group of industry players have started to jointly promote the country’s medical tourism facilities and services.
TMTF vice president Opas Netraumpai said that as a legal entity, the current Thailand Medical Tourism Cluster would have a better foundation in expanding the lucrative industry, as well as spreading income to small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Thailand was estimated to record 1.4 million medical-related visitors and a 150 million baht (US$4.9 million) revenue for last year. The figures are part of the total tourism performance of 15.9 million arrivals and 592.8 billion baht revenue.
Opas said: “Instead of focusing on just major hospitals in key cities such as Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya, the Thailand Medical Tourism Federation will be promoting medical clinics and alternative medical establishments in destinations nationwide.”
Russia, China, Japan, the Middle East and Africa have been identified as the federation’s key markets, and its initial strategy will go alongside participation during annual international travel trade shows by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
The federation kicked off its trade show participation with TAT at the Russia’s Leisure Moscow in September. It plans to join the Office of SMEs Promotion’s roadshow in China by the end of this year.
By Sirima Eamtako
