Wednesday, February 4, 2015

How To Develop 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.

Medi-tourist numbers are rising in all parts of the world with different alternatives based on need and specialization by destination countries. Airlines have also entered the market to provide such packages as fly-procedure. Specialization is a strong foundation for any business venture. Conduct research and establish the offers available in your market as well as ways you can make them affordable and convenient.

Experts in entrepreneurship advise start-ups to specialize. This trend can be seen even in nations where they are marketing a particular industry or sector. In medicine, for example, India is known for heart operations while Hungary and Philippines are known for dentistry. Turkey is picking up as an eye surgery destination with Spain specializing in neurosurgery. Identify where you want to take your tourists and if the demand can sustain the agency.

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.

Though there are no defined licenses for medi-tourism agencies, it remains a business that must operate with valid permits. There are requirements by federal, state and municipal authorities that must be met. Accreditation and certification give credibility to your agency. This makes your operations professional and gives you an upper hand in the face of competition.

The competitiveness of your business model will determine your success. When developing your package, bear in mind what your competition is offering. Do not compromise standards and quality especially on accommodation and travel in an effort to offer a cheaper package. Satisfied customers will bring you more clients and return business.

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.

Tourism remains a key attraction even as you offer medical assistance. Identify exciting destinations along the way to enrich the trip. The basic design of such a package is usually to provide double benefits.

As an agency, it is your responsibility to ensure that the visas, passports and other travel documents are in order. Recommend the best restaurants, sites and activities and allow them to choose. Make known all the travel advisories issued by state departments and explain how they affect the trip. It pays to offer variety and build relationships because you will never be disappointed.




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