Thailand ‘sees soaring medical tourism’
The Thai medical tourism industry is experiencing "rapid growth", according to a market research report into the country.
According to the Opportunities in Thailand Tourism Industry (2007-09) report by industry research firm RNCOS, the number of tourists are expected to increase by up to eight per cent a year between 2007-11.
Medical tourism in the country is recorded at over one million visitors a year, an increase of up to 16 per cent a year between 2002-06.
The report attributes the figures to strong marketing campaigns by the private medical sector and the Thai government to promote medical tourism, Thailand’s suitable geographical location and a range of other natural and cultural tourist attractions.
Sectors in which the country experienced the most growth included cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, dentistry and pharmacology, claims the report.
According to the British Dental Health Foundation, 60,000 Britons searched for information about dentalholidays on the internet during October.
