AusLeisure

The Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC)'s second annual Health and Wellness Travel Conference is the only conference dedicated to facilitating Australia's involvement in the burgeoning US$40 billion global health and wellness tourism industry.

To be held on 23rd September 2010 at the Gold Coast Sofitel, more than 60 delegates will hear from a number of globally-recognised experts in the field of health and wellness tourism speak both about the opportunities and the experiences of Australian tourism and medical operators in this sector.

The speaker line-up includes two international keynote speakers; author Josef Woodman, President of Healthy Travel Media and Professor Pauline Sheldon of the University of Hawaii.

ATEC Managing Director Matt Hingerty said that policy makers from fields including tourism, health, state and regional development and education, as well as state and Federal Government personnel would learn how traditional tourism businesses could work with both established resort and spa operators and with Australia's world-class private-sector medical system to create a profitable, sustainable and ethical industry.

Hingerty explained âto stay ahead of the rest of the field the tourism industry needs to innovate, and there are few better examples or opportunities of this for Australia than the Health and Wellness sector.

"The Health and Wellness Travel Conference is all about helping Australian businesses find the best way forward in this area.

"Australia has incredible potential in the Health and Wellness sector - unique natural attractions and experiences, a vibrant tourism, spa and resort sector, and excess capacity in our excellent private healthcare facilities. We just need to put the pieces together."

Speakers at the conference include:

• Josef Woodman, President, Healthy Travel Media - A Medical Perspective: Where are we now?
• Pauline Sheldon, Professor of Tourism - University of Hawaii - Establishing the Global Wellness Brand
• Michael Curtis, Gold Coast Airport - Regional case study: Driving the Development in Medical Tourism
• Sharon Kolkka, Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat - Case study: Nurturing the wellness experience

Hingerty said ATEC's first Health and Wellness conference had been a wonderful success, and had resulted in The Cairns Declaration - Australia's first document outlining the intention to build a Health and Wellness industry in Australia.

Hingerty explained that "ATEC's mission is to develop the health and wellness tourism segment for Australia in a sustainable manner so that we can maximise the benefits and avoid the pitfalls.

"We hope our conference on the Gold Coast will be one of the first steps in a long journey that will see Australia emerge as a key partner in the global health travel market."

To register go to www.atec.net.au/715183.html

16th September 2008 - ATEC ACTS ON WELLNESS TOURISM

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