Bangkok – 28 June, 2013: High-end Chinese health and wellness visitors are to be the primary niche-market focus of the annual Medical Tourism Fam Trip to be organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Thai Spa Association between 13-18 August, 2013.
More than 80 registrations from all over the world have been received for the Fam Trip which will be held under the theme of promoting Thailand as a “Super Quality Medical and Wellness Tourism” destination.
The final list of invitees will include international buyers, tour agencies and global media, mostly from China. The applications are now being whetted and finalised in order to ensure that only the most productive and serious buyers/media are included.
Mrs. Vilaiwan Twichasri, Deputy Governor for Tourism Products and Business of the TAT said, “This fam trip is part of our overall strategy to focus on high-spending, long-staying niche markets. Health and wellness tourism is a key component of this, especially as Thailand has the necessary products and service standards to cater to this growing market.”
She said that the Fam Trip has been designed in a way that it will provide information updates, product inspection and do business.
Information on trends and facilities will be supplied in an open discussion with prominent Thai medical practitioners, including Dr. Sanguan Kunaporn, a plastic surgeon from Phuket International Hospital; Somjate Manipalviratn, M.D., a fertility treatment expert from Superior A.R.T., and Dr. Anongnuth Chavalithamrong, M.D., an anti-aging physician from the Add Life Centre.
Buyers will also attend a business-matching meeting with 50 Thai sellers from hospitals, clinics and spas. Both functions will be held on 13 August 2013 at the Centara Grand Hotel at CentralWorld.
After that, the fam trip participants will visit various health and wellness spots in Bangkok, Phuket, and Hua Hin. The itinerary will include the I-Sawan Spa at Hyatt Erawan, a world-class spa in Bangkok; Preventive Medical Check Up at Villa Medica, and an overnight stay at The Barai, a luxury spa in Hua Hin and the winner of the Asian-Pacific Best Spa Award.
Mr. Krod Rojanastien, President of the Thai Spa Association, stated that “Wellness Tourism is very popular among the hi-end Chinese market. This year, we have organised a Fam Trip specifically for this market and will promote luxury Wellness and Beauty products which target the profile and behavior of this market.”
He said he was certain that Chinese buyers would be impressed by the overall quality and exclusivity of Wellness Tourism in Thailand which, along with the famous Thai hospitality, has impressed medical tourists from around the globe.
Media Inquiry, please contact:
K. Jantornthanee Phisithiporn (Poo)
Mobile 086 886 4816
Contact information:
International Public Relations Division
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 4544-48
Fax: +66 (0) 2253 7419
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.tatnews.org
