TAT touts wellness industry strengths
‘‘ Thailand has competitive advantages in medical expenses, where the average price is typically 50-90% less than in the
US. YUTHASAK SUPASORN TAT GOVERNOR
Thailand has more competitive advantages to strengthen its wellness and medical tourism, both in terms of certified facilities and lower prices, than other international destinations, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn said yesterday that as wellness travellers are seeking transformation, wellness tourism products around the world must accommodate their increasingly sophisticated demands.
Speaking at Bangkok Post Conference 2023 — “Thailand’s Road to Wellness Hub”, Mr Yuthasak said providing hybrid wellness programmes ranks among the latest trends. The TAT is looking to combine wellness treatment with other tourism products, such as physical fitness, volunteer programmes, culinary experiences as well as spiritual and cultural activities.
Science-based wellness is also a promising trend, such as solving fertility issues, which is also available in Thailand, he noted.
Asia-Pacific made up 35% of medical tourism with the biggest contribution in terms of value, in which Thailand accounted for 9%, followed by Indonesia and Malaysia at 6% and 5%, respectively, according to Allied Market Research.
Mr Yuthasak said the research also predicted Thailand’s medical tourism market will reach US$24.4 billion (about 838 billion baht) in 2027, an increase from $9.1 billion in 2019.
He said: “Thailand has competitive advantages in this segment, particularly in competitive medical expenses, where the average price is typically 50-90% less than in the US.”
The country also has 59 healthcare facilities accredited by the US-based Joint Commission International, the fourth-largest healthcare accreditation in the world.
The government also provides a medical tourist visa — valid for one year — and a Thailand Elite Visa for a long stay of five to 20 years.
Hospitals offering attractive prices, diverse kinds of short- and long-stay accommodation, and extensive treatment services from advanced medical technology to natural therapy also make Thailand superior to other countries, Mr Yuthasak said. There are also governmental policies that support Thailand as a cannabis-focused medicinal hub as well as the Thailand Riviera, a wellness tourism zone comprising four coastal provinces along the Gulf of Thailand.
Mr Yuthasak said that Thailand could also capitalise on its soft power, such as Thai cuisine, spiritual culture, Thai massage, Thai medicine, muay Thai and quality hospitality to integrate with wellness tourism.