Jonas Leisure
Jonas Software operates over 110 independently managed software brands around the world, providing them with the strategic guidance and financial security required to be leaders in their respective…
read morePeak inbound-tourism body the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) has formed an industry panel to develop the health and wellness travel sector in Australia and tap into the billion-dollar global health tourism industry.
ATEC Managing Director Matthew Hingerty said that with the ageing of Australia's key tourism markets and its domestic population, entry into the rapidly-developing global 'health tourism' market is critical for both the tourism and health sectors.
Highlighting a recent report by international consultants Deloittes, Hingerty recently highlighted that "medical travel from the US alone will be worth US$162 billion by 2012 (and) this does not include 'soft health' travel such as spa treatments and health checks."
Hingerty has advised that earlier this year KPMG demographer Bernard Salt presented ATEC with compelling evidence that Australia's key tourism markets are ageing, highlighting that a âbubbleâ of cashed-up baby boomers from the UK, US and even China will increasingly demand health services when they travel.
Hingerty added "it is critical that Australia understands and caters for these trends and, like other countries, we need to recognise that our ageing domestic population and narrowing tax base will place increasing strain on our health system.
"ATEC believes we can do an 'education' and build capacity into our private health system by tapping into export markets."
The ATEC Managing Director said Australian Governments had been slow to act on this developing trend to travel for health purposes, stating that "New Zealand has stolen a march on us with their Government backing private sector efforts to enter global travel markets. By contrast, Australian Governments of both shades have been slow to realise the potential benefits and implications.
"We fear this will impact our health system, as cashed-up offshore health providers bid heavily for the services of our well-regarded medical practitioners."
Hingerty said that ATEC's Health and Wellness Tourism Panel had adopted a strategic framework to develop both the 'soft' wellness industry and the surgery-based medical tourism industry.
ATEC's Discussion Paper 'Destination: Health' can be viewed at www.atec.net.au
9th May 2008 - Joint Venture for Nationwide Wellness Centres
Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?
As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.
The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.
Jonas Software operates over 110 independently managed software brands around the world, providing them with the strategic guidance and financial security required to be leaders in their respective…
read moreABOUT Again Faster is a Brisbane based, Australian owned supplier of strength and conditioning and functional fitness equipment. With nearly 10 years experience in the Australian market, we are…
read moreAs of February 2023, Ungerboeck Software has rebranded as Momentus Technologies.
read moreOriginally founded to meet the specific training requirements of its own venue management operations, Ampd Academy now embraces a broader mission to combat skill shortages across Australian…
read moreAs of the 1st July 2018, Enta Australasia Pty Ltd/Best Union has been rebranded as VIVATICKET Pty Ltd. Click here to view the VIVATICKET Pty Ltd listing. 19th July 2018 - ENTA…
read moreContact: Australia: (+61) 1800 849 001 New Zealand: (+64) 3 668 5727 International: (+1) 415 915 0375
read moreGet your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!