Wednesday, January 28, 2015

How To Design An Effective Medical Tourism Business Model

By Ines Flores


With treatment procedures becoming more expensive by the day, people are looking for viable alternatives. This makes the medical tourism business model a reasonable way of providing the alternative and something more. It brings together tour operators and medics with the aim of offering a package that meets both needs. The agency locates the best health facility and adds a vacation during the trip.

Business analysts indicate that the number of medi-tourists is rising every year. The options range from seeking treatment abroad to fly-procedure packages. When developing your plan, identify the area you would like to specialize and do your homework. The homework includes identifying what the competition is offering and how it can be made better, more convenient and cheaper.

Specialization is considered the best approach in entrepreneurship. This trend has been observed even at international level where nations promote a particular sector. India, for example has specialized in heart surgery while Philippines and Hungary are known for dental procedures. Turkey is a rising eye surgery power house with Spain taking the lead in neurosurgery. With this in mind, know the destinations that will give you better returns.

Successful medical tours must involve health practitioners. You are required to establish a network of doctors locally and abroad who will support your venture. Learn the rules of handling patients within the country and in your destination to avoid conflict with the law. These regulations guide your logistical plans.

Permits and licenses are mandatory for all businesses. Agencies facilitating medi-tourists must seek the licenses from municipal, state and federal government departments to ensure that their operations are legal. Establish the certification and accreditation procedures or requirements in your area of operation and meet them. This will give your operations a professional feel beyond making the business more competitive.

A competitive model will attract more tourists and make your operations profitable. Consider what agencies in your region and area of specialization are offering. In an effort to reduce charges for your clients, do not be tempted to offer substandard travel or accommodation packages. It is the satisfaction of those who you have served that will bring more clients.

The commissions are distributed across the various stake holders who will be handling the tourists. The stakeholders include hotels, spas, resorts and travel firms. What comes from the medical procedures is as low as twenty percent. Do not expect to make huge profits within the first trip. It takes time for the business to pick and begin to deliver returns.

The tourism element in your business must never be forgotten. It is a huge responsibility to ensure that patients receive the best care at their destination. Depending on their condition, organize the tour such that they reap double benefits by the time they return.

The responsibility of the agency extends to ensuring that all travel documents, including visas and passports, are in order. Make recommendations on exciting activities, accommodation and attractions and allow the clients to choose. Consider their condition and their budget as well. Explain existing travel advisories from authorities and expound on their effect on the planned trip. Expanding your destination range increases the flow of clients and prevents disappointment.




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