Dubai Healthcare City-Dubai, hospitals, research centres, medical tourism associations, tourism boards, health authorities, ministries of tourism & health, insurance companies and travel agents from over thirty different countries, as well as local authorities and the medical tourism industry from the UAE were present at the 9th World Health Tourism Congress at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Academic Medical Centre in Healthcare City.
The opening ceremony was conducted by H.E Minister of Tourism of Lebanon, Michel Pharoun, Director General of Dubai Health Authority, H.E Essa Al Maydour, Executive Director of Tourism Development & Investments, Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM), Mr Yousuf Lootah as well as Mr Marwan Abedin, CEO of Dubai Healthcare City. The health & tourism industry came together to Dubai for two days to create business opportunities and attend the 15-20 pre-arranged meetings with some of the biggest buyers in the health & tourism industry, not to mention enjoy a 2-3 day holiday in beautiful Dubai.
This was the 9th World Health Tourism Congress to be done but the first in the Middle East region.
Participants took part in educational sessions & speeches presented by some of the most credible hospitals, insurers, & health authorities from across the globe, such as Mr Ralf Krewer, International Marketing Director of Bangkok Hospital, Ms Dolly Lim, Senior Manager, Corporate Business Development, Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council and Ms Linda Abdullah, Head of the Medical Tourism Office, Dubai Health Authority, Dr Fatma Al Sharaf, Strategy and Partner Development Manager at Dubai Healthcare City all spoke on the impact of the medical tourism industry as well as other evolving trends. The medical tourism industry is currently valued at about $50 billion (Frost & Sullivan 28 and is continuing to grow. In the UAE alone the health tourism industry is predicted to attract 500,000 tourist by 20/20 with its 22 hospitals.
The first ever World Health Tourism Congress Award Ceremony also took place on the 19th of October during the events gala dinner in the JW Marriott Marquis. Award winners include Burjeel Hospital for Hospital of the Year award, Emirates Airlines took home the Best Airline of the Year award and GlobeMed for Medical Administrator of the Year.
Feedback from the participants was positive and companies are already to asking about registration for the next WHTC. Ms Pooja Dubey, Deputy Manager International Sales at Fortis Healthcare India stated that the congress was a success & she was able to create business and new contacts from all over the world. Also Dr Hazem Zagzoug, Deputy Chairman of the Board & CEO of Andalusia KSA was interested in attending the next event wished the congress success in the future.
After the success of the 9th World Health Tourism Congress in Dubai, GAA plans to hold the next 10th World Health Tourism in Dubai as well, this time on a higher calibre aiming for 1,000 participants. Dubai is a great destination to host this congress as the medical tourism industry in the country is booming and health authorities are planning to place health tourism a priority focusing on their renowned healthcare facilities and hospitals. Dubai’s hotels welcomed more than 11 million guests in 2013 & are excepting to achieve a goal of 20million visitors annually by 20/20.