Alan Johnson asked:


Now a days medical field has spread its wing by offering overseas treatments at much reasonable costs for everyone to take benefits of. There are a lot of discussion going around the globe to see if there are benefits of medical tourism. Well, today we are going to take a peek in some of these benefits for us while considering any kind of medical tourism.

Medical tourism in simple term is a travel abroad to undergo any medical treatment that you would otherwise find either very costly in the your country or not as well equipped with the recent technology as the country you are traveling to receive that treatment. So if for example, you are from U.S.. and it costs you as an example GBP 20000 for an eye surgery, the same may be done say for example in India for the total sum of GBP 9000 which will not only include the surgery and hospital fees but also include accommodation, follow ups and a holiday feel all in one. This is why so many people today are attracted to this unique concept.

Thus there are many benefits for Medical Tourism. now for the patients who would like to undergo any kind of surgical treatment. Medical tourism gives everyone the opportunity to get best quality of medical treatments at lower costs. Although the costs certainly is the main benefit of medical tourism, the other attraction is the fact that other countries might perform certain treatments that are not available or are restricted in the country of their origin. And while vacation might not be the goal here, people certainly want to recuperate from any treatment while holidaying in their preferred places. There are lots of countries that offer such packages like India, Singapore, Thailand, Brazil, etc.

After information Technology (IT) and Information Technology Enabled Services (IEES), which are now good contributors to our Nation’s GDP, the next great thing happening could be ‘Medical tourism’, which has numerous potential, if rightly captured, to make big contributions to the Nation’s GDP. The following will show a some valid points by the way of expert’s questions vs. opinions offered, current status available with future projections and a some suggestions for making top use of medical tourism towards the development of the nation’s economic prosperity.

The offers available now a days for similar patients are specialized services ranging from cardiology and cardiac surgery (angioplasty, bypass, valve replacement), to oncology and onco-surgery, organ transplants (liver and kidney), bone marrow transplants, joint replacements, eye surgery and in-vitro fertilization. The price difference is significant, as that was for Marshall, for the patients.

Medical tourism is now a days attracting people from all over the world, from countries with comparatively poor healthcare infrastructures and, in case of the US, places with exorbitantly expensive health care services.

Medical tourists from US are generally those seeking procedures not covered by their insurers, those seeking required procedures and who are provided with incentives to find lower cost options, and those who cannot get medical insurance where they depend on the procedures and the physicians. Cosmetic surgery are locally found in South America, while complex heart and orthopedic surgery are found in India, Thailand and Singapore, and specialized in-vitro fertilization may be found in South Africa, Israel and Spain.

In the global medical tourism services, from cosmetic surgery to complex oncology, bargain prices may be found at a medical centre somewhere in the globe. Time and money provide the incentives for seeking healthcare outside the nation. In the case of general public health services with long delays, such as Britain, time is the motivation.



Singapore Tourist Attractions

Alfred Anderson asked:


Medical tourism, as an industry is popular due to the degree of convenience and affordability offered by the countries offering such services. In the United States the waiting period for a hip replacement surgery can be more than a year or so whereas the same procedure can be conducted in India, a day after arrival. The healthcare delivery costs at destinations like India, Thailand, Singapore etc are far economical than the United States. Most medical procedures are conducted at one-tenth of the cost in the United States. For instance a heart-valve replacement costing more that $200000 in the U.S can be done for $10000 in India.

The standard of medical care provided in these countries is truly world class. The hospitals are accredited by international accreditation bodies, like Joint Commission International (JCI) and employ best practices that match up to the international standards. The doctors are well qualified and a vast majority of the doctors have clinical experience of working in the West. Apart from these, the patients enjoy five-star comforts in their hospital rooms, with facilities like a personal dietitian and interpreter; the hospitals offer an array of choices from an international menu of food and beverages.

With all these facilities on offer, the medical tourism industry is all set to become the next big thing in the healthcare sector. The recent trend predicts the size of this industry to touch $2 billion by the year 2012 in India alone. Other destinations like Singapore, Thailand and Cuba are also expected to attract a large number of medical tourists in the years to come. Quality treatment at affordable rates, comfortable stay and convenience has made medical tourism a sought after option by the patients.



Visit Singapore!

Wolfgang Jaegel asked:


Malaysia is blessed with marvelous islands and picturesque golden beaches that attract tourists from all over the globe. These exotic beaches offer you the thrill and excitement that lasts forever in your mind and you will be longing to get back there once again to share those memorable moments that you have enliven once.

The beaches and islands of Malaysia literally sparkle during day and night which makes it a paradise for the visitors and the visitors can also enjoy a wide variety of leisure activities such as site-seeing, dancing and singing. You can also enjoy the excellent feeling of Idyllic Islands and Golden Beaches of Malaysia with a beer.

Starting from Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, to the vibrant and idyllic golden beaches Malaysia is a land of fascinating diversity. Not only that with its unique culture and tradition but also the splendid cuisines and the hospitality of the people all adds to a joyful experience for you that you can cherish in your memory.

Malaysia is perfect for its awesome quixotic getaway, spotted with pristine beaches and idyllic islands that bound all the way along the coast.

The most popular choice for tourists among these islands is the Langkawi and the Penang. The Langkawi is located south east of the Kuah which act as the entrance to the sandy beaches and gorgeous islands. These islands are a part of Malaysian mainland state Kedah. The Langkawi islands are clean, green, eco friendly and are a true holiday destination for those who wish to have a lifetime memorable trip. The weather remains ideal all the year round which makes this a four season tourist destination.

This feature makes it an ideal vacation destination for people around the world. You can have a nice time trekking, fishing, rock climbing, cycling, and snorkeling in crystal clear waters and relaxing on the sandy beaches of the coast of Malaysia.

Beach volleyball is commonly played by visitors in Malaysia. It offers enthusiasm as well as it makes your body warm and energetic.

You can hire boats and have a ride in the crystal clear water. It will be a thrilling experience for adventure loving tourists. The pleasant and warm climate makes it a perfect spot for sunbathing and you can relax sitting back and reading a novel.

The sight of sparkling red sun sinking slowly into the faint blue waters is a rare moment and it really brings enthusiasm and passionate feelings in your mind. The fascinating glass bottom boat allows the visitors to enjoy the marine life from the very near quarters.

You can see lot of hotels and resorts in Malaysia, so it is not a difficult task to find a suitable accommodation facility. You can find accommodation in resorts or hotels which are equipped with multiple facilities like swimming pool, library and internet.

Above all a remarkable thing yet to notice is tasty traditional Malay cuisines that are extremely delicious. Mouth-watering Malay cuisines are very famous all over the world.

Beach side resorts are also available so that you can sit in front of it and enjoy the activities there, but it may be little expensive. Rooms that are fully air-conditioned are also there for those people who prefer it.

You can reach there by train or by flight from major locations around the world like Europe, America etc. If you are choosing train then express trains from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur are also available.

With the world class resorts with ultramodern facilities, scenic islands, serene landscapes, Malaysia has now become a favorite tourist destination for local as well as international visitors.

If you are planning to visit a popular tourist destination the next time then you surely have to go for the idyllic islands of Malaysia since it not only offers a pleasing experience but also gives an opportunity to mingle with the society that is truly exceptional in their hospitality and in every manner.



Singapore Tourist Attractions

Wantanee Khamkongkaew asked:


Located in central part of the country along the low flat plain of the Chao Phraya River, Bangkok is the largest as well as the capital city of Thailand. The cultural, educational, and political center of Thailand, Bangkok is one of the top tourist destinations in southeastern Asia, with a range of fabulous attractions such as Chitralada, Royal Grand Palace, Erawan Shrine, the temple of the Reclining Buddha, Wat Pho, the Bangkok National Museum, and the Bangkok University Art Gallery.

Apart from being a popular vacation spot, Bangkok is considered the backbone of the country’s economy. For instance, the Stock Exchange of Thailand is located in Bangkok. Further, a large number of commercial banks and financial institutions have been headquartered in the city. Further, the cost of living in condominium is exceptionally low.

Above all, when compared to other Asian cities, Bangkok is a safe place to live in. Perhaps for these reasons, people prefer to live in Bangkok. Living in Bangkok is not only a great way for tourists to discover the great attractions of the place but also an excellent choice for those who want to settle here permanently, since it is strategically located center to almost all prominent Asian countries.

Like any other Asian cities, Bangkok provides a range of accommodation options to choose from, such as, budget villas and bungalows, single detached homes, and luxury apartments and flats coupled with a host of peerless amenities and facilities. Along these accommodation options, condominiums are also considered a great choice to live in Bangkok. But, this type of accommodation is quite different from other accommodation types.

A specialty of condominiums is that they possess dual nature, ie, a condo owner has full control over his unit. But, the owner is required to share the cost and expenses incurred for the common facilities of the property, like passageways and lobbies. In the case of condominiums, the owners are required to follow the rules and regulations formulated by condominium association. Nowadays, condominium units found here matches with the design and style of those units in some of the hi-fi Asian cities like Singapore and Hong Kong.

Depending upon the budget, lifestyle, tastes and requirements of the people, a multitude of condo units are now available in Bangkok. Some of the most popular forms of condominiums available in the city are apartment, townhouses, and single detached homes. No matter it is of any type, a condo unit in Bangkok mostly comes with comfortable bedrooms with adjustable beds, expansive living rooms, fully equipped kitchen with superb dining area, and sophisticated bath area with uninterrupted water supply.

In luxury type condominium units, facilities such as parking areas, fitness room coupled with gym facilities, laundry, Jacuzzi, separated male and female saunas, pools, and meeting rooms are included. Additionally, many of the condominium properties come attached with areas exclusively for children like kids pool and playground. Mostly, luxury condo units are located in such posh areas of the city as Sukhumvit, Sathora, and the Central Lumpini areas.

Living in a Bangkok condominium offers a host of benefits. One of the major advantages is that it is affordable. You can become a part of the unique community by living in a condominium in Bangkok. Low maintenance is another prime benefit of Bangkok condominiums. Advantages also include safety, as there are a lot of people around, there may not be chances for theft and robbery.

Above all, condominium life allows you to utilize a range of facilities such as pool, library, and elevators. Apart from these, condominiums are considered a long term investment. Understanding the importance as well as the benefits of Bangkok condominiums, many foreigners now invest in condo units. Further, a condominium is the only type of asset that can be legally owned by a foreigner in the country. Even a special law has been formulated for purchase of condominiums, known as the Condominium Act of Thailand (1999.)

With a myriad of real estate consultants, realtors and property builders in the scenario, buying or renting a condo unit in Bangkok is no longer a tedious process. In addition, since many of them have them have their own websites with details regarding the nature of the property, expected price or rent, amenities available and pictures of the condominium, buying or leasing a condo unit has now become quite convenient.



Singapore Tourist Attractions

Gregory Smyth asked:


Asia is currently going through what is widely known as a “Property Boom”. Real estate is a highly recommended area for investment in Asia. Almost all countries in Asia are flourishing in the real estate sector. China is going through a revolutionary phase in the real estate sector. Rural homes and paddy fields are transformed into roads and shopping attractions. However some parts of the country the foreign investment and job opportunities have not created a real flutter. Costs of real estate are steadily increasing and anybody who is investing in the region could make handsome profit.

China has begun a huge drive towards urbanization. It is understood that they are relocating about 20 million people each year from country border to the cities. Very much the same is happening in the whole of East Asia as this half of the continent undergoes a strong urbanization drive. Asian governments are doing everything in their power to woo foreign buyers and investors. However supply hasn’t kept pace with demand which has boosted rents and capital values.

Malaysia has a favorable government in terms of property investment as the interest rates are only 6.75%, which is lower when compared to interest rates imposed by other countries like Vietnam and Indonesia. Prices of different kinds of properties continue to be cheap, particularly in comparison with other countries in Asia.

However this situation may not remain the same for a long time as at the close of 2006, the government dispensed with the requirement that foreign buyers should have the permission from a foreign-investment panel. This move is expected to have a positive bearing on the property market, especially on the mid-to-high end property segment.

Hong Kong is also getting increasingly cheap. This is clearly shown by the fact that rental rates for office space staying at $1,105 in 2006, lower than $1,237 in 1994. Because of mortgage competition between the banks and the steady decline of apartments city’s residential prices are predicted to rise more than 50% by the end of 2007. Considering the case of The Zurich and Monaco the potential threat is the vulnerability that has plagued the US economy. Many East Asian countries, whose economies depend heavily on exporting goods to America, will be affected quite badly by the state of the US economy.

Keeping this in mind, Singapore has the most attractive property investment opportunities in this part of Asia over the next two to three years. The Chinese manufacturing boom has been a real eye opener for the Singapore government. The various governments have started to redistribute their resources with the aim to make their respective cities as financially viable as possible. Singapore offers the lowest tax rate in the world for beginning companies, while 80% of firms spent an effective tax rate of less than 10%. Singapore is also very popular among tourists and this makes it even more compelling for potential investors. Unemployment has come down to a floor of 2.5% and as a result immigration is given an active encouragement.

About half of the 176,000 new jobs created last year were taken up by foreigners. The government expects that another 450,000 jobs will be created over the course of the next five years. This has given a real boost to the property market, which was hardly affected by the Asian financial crisis of 1997. The Singapore government has ended restrictions on borrowing limits in 2005 and as a result purchasing among Singaporeans has become active again.

Even after all these alterations the prices have remained relatively cheap. In comparison with equal cities in the Western world cities like London or New York, Singapore is cheaper. Property is considered a safer bet when you take the equity markets into consideration because of its lack of stability to a US downturn.

If you are interested in property investments, there may not be so many better choices than the Asian property market. There could be some problems in the future though like the possible lack of availability of homes when foreign workers searching for homes could create a scarcity. However, at least for the time being, Asia is among the most lucrative property markets available. Always be alive to it at the time of investing because you could commit on a healthy investment.



Arts and Entertainment Singapore

sublim3 asked:


If there’s one hotel in Kuala Lumpur that is well-loved because of its distance to tourist destinations, it would definitely be The Heritage Station Hotel Kuala Lumpur. This budget hotel is Proud of its perfect location in the heart of the city. It is surrounded by historical landmarks and attractions, allowing guests to get to popular tourist spots in 10 minutes or less, by foot!

1-minute walk

The Heritage Station Hotel Kuala Lumpur is literally just a stone’s throw away from the main terminals or regional and domestic road transport. These are train station for regional Bangkok and Singapore, Commuter Station for routes throughout the city, and Coach Depot for all major destinations in Malaysia & regional Bangkok and Singapore

3 to 5-minute walk

Explore the National Art Gallery and National Museum. With thousands of masterpieces, books and artifacts, you’re sure to gain a deeper knowledge on art and history. These museums also house galleries, auditorium, café and bars, library/resource centre, exhibition halls and also conduct workshops and seminars you are most welcome to attend to.

Have a refreshing walk and sightseeing at the lush Titiwangsa Lake Garden where you can relax at its man-made lake, landscaped garden, flower gardens, butterfly park, birds park; or enjoy walking and jogging at trails and exercise stations. Playgrounds and rowing boats are also in the area.

8 to 10-minute walk

From The Heritage Station Hotel Kuala Lumpur, walk all the way to Orchid & Butterfly Farm and let it mesmerize you as you explore this wonderful haven. You can shop till you drop at Kuala Lumpur’s very own Chinatown, night markets and central markets. Lots of for souvenirs and beautiful items that are uniquely Kuala Lumpur are available for you.

Walk your way to fun, exciting, and convenient exploration now. With The Heritage Station Hotel, touring Kuala Lumpur is made easy. For reservation, get best rates online through visiting its website at http://www.heritagehotelmalaysia.com.



Singapore Tourist Attractions

Lizathomas asked:


Macau, is a southern coast city of China. It is located at the south of Guangdong Province, on the tip of the peninsula formed by the Xijiang (West River) on the west and the Zhujiang (Pearl River) estuary on the east. Macau is situated 145 km southwest of Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province and 60 km western side of Hong Kong. It is next to the Zhuhai Special Economic Zone.

Macau facing the South China Sea in the south and east has thriving industries such as electronics, textiles and toys. There is also a remarkable Macau tourism industry that features a wide range of hotels, resorts, restaurants, stadiums and casinos. Macau, one of the richest cities in the world, tempts all with the variety of entertainment.

The Templo de A-Má, a temple built in 1448 dedicated to Matsu - the goddess of seafarers and fishermen - has given Macau its name. The following are the must see places in Macau:

* Casino at Venetian Macao

* Macau Tower Convention & Entertainment Centre

* Grand Prix Museum

* Leal Senado (Municipal Council)

* Cotai Strip

* Ruins of St. Paul’s Cathedral

* Lisboa Casino

* A-Ma Temple (Ma Kok Miu)

* Largo do Senado (Senate Square)

* Monte Forte (Fortaleza do Monte)

Macau, an enthralling tourist location with a cluster of entertainment facilities, famous for its locales, casinos and nightlife.

Macau Hotels have a huge spread as far as budget and location are concerned. Hotels in Macau possess a great range of diversity in facilities and entertainment options. Macau hotels range from exotic five star accommodations at Lisboa hotel to the very economical three star accommodations of Fu Hua hotel.

The costs of accommodation in Macau Hotels range from as low as USD 65 to USD 142. Most of the Macau hotels provide air condition, television, radio, telephone as basic room facilities and hotel facilities includes beauty parlour, fitness centre, and laundry cleaning service. Other important facilities available in most of the Macau hotels are sauna, conference facilities and car parking.

Hotels in Macau offer great food and beverages that suits both holiday and business travelers. Most of the hotels in Macau have restaurants and serve a range of dishes in Chinese, Japanese and Continental cuisines. Food in Macau interests foodies from around the world. Macau provides Italian, French, American, Brazilian, Japanese, Korean and Mozambique cuisine as well as dishes from Southeast Asia, such as Thailand, Burma, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

Macau hotels offer a great array of entertainment facilities. Lisboa hotel, New Century hotel, Holiday Inn, Royal hotel and many other Macau hotels entertain with a scintillating nightlife.

The hotels in Macau also house busy casinos that are open on all days. Casinos are one of the big attractions in Macau.



Arts and Entertainment Singapore

Wolfgang Jaegel asked:


Situated in Guangdong Province, China, Shenzhen is a city with a population of over 12 million people. Any of the travel guides of China does not say much about this city except the fact that it is good only for shopping.

The impression is changed now due to its fast growth. Shenzhen is a sub-provincial city of southern China and is well-known for its great immediacy with the border of Hong Kong. Shenzhen is a hub of foreign investment and it has been one of the fastest growing cities in the world since the late 1970s. It also holds the busiest port in China after Shanghai. Now-a-days Shenzhen is a lively, multi-ethnic city that offers variety of cultural and leisure venues for travelers, as well as endless shopping and dining.

Shenzhen has three most famous city center places, Diwang Building, Grand Theater and Citizens’ Center, which attract thousand of tourists year round. With 69 floors, Diwang building is the tallest building in Shenzhen and is the symbol city’s fast growth. This building is home to the most high-status firms in the city. You can have a view over the whole city from the viewing deck in the 68th floor. Mix C, a multi-storied shopping center, is situated just opposite to the Diwang building. It has ice rink, cinema, and lots of international style restaurants.

Shenzhen Stock Exchange is situated near the Diwang. Completely renovated in 2006, Grand Theater is the best place to enjoy classical music and traditional Chinese music events. Near the Grand Theater is Lychee Park. A picture of Deng Xiao Peng, the “father of Shenzhen”, is displayed on the signboard which is placed on the corner of the park. Deng Xiao Peng made the plan to develop Shenzhen in to a global scale metropolis from a fishing village.

Citizens’ Center was built when the government decided to change the central business district out of the city center. Citizens’ Center is a large government building with “bird shape” roof. Children’s Palace amusement center and exemplary New Shenzhen Library near the Citizen’s Center are also worth visiting. New Exhibition Center which is built in typical Shenzhen style is around half a mile from the Citizens’ Center.

The Window of the World, Chinese Folk Culture Villages, Happy Valley, Splendid China, the Dameisha Promenade, the Safari Park in Nanshan district, Xiaomeisha Beach Resort in Yantian district, Zhongying Street, Xianhu Lake Botanical Garden, and Minsk World are some of the major place of tourist interest. There are several public park which offers free admission including Lianhuashan Park, Lizhi Park and Wutongshan Park. Shenzhen has several well-known restaurants which provide various mouth-watering cuisines and you can taste your favorite food from these restaurants.

The Window of the World is a theme park which is situated in the western part of Shenzhen. It holds around 130 reproductions of some of the well-known tourist attractions in the world. Sprawls around an area of about 480,000 square meters, the park houses the models of 108 meter tall Eiffel Tower and the Taj Mahal. The park also holds several international restaurants and mini exhibitions on well-known figures from world history.

In Window of the World you can eat Mexican food, see the Niagara Falls and stroll around Angkor Wat. It will take half a day to explore the whole park. Firework and laser shows will be there in the end of the day. You can enjoy Fervorous Paris Nights at Caesar’s Palace in the evenings. Happy Valley is another major tourist spot in Shenzhen. Several sightseeing areas are there in Happy Valley which includes Cartoon City, Mt. Advantage, Gold Mine Town, Shangri-la Woods, Sunshine Beach, Typhoon Bay, Happy Times, Playa Maya Water Park and Spanish Square are also worth a visit. Attractions in the Happy Valley include the Gold Mine Train, Space Port, suspended Looping Coaster and Shoot the Cute.

Splendid China, a complete miniature park, is capable of satisfying the visitors. It reflects the history, art, culture, ancient architecture, and customs and habits of various nationalities in the country. Developed and managed by the major travel and tourist corporation, China Travel Services, it is also the largest scenery parks in the world. The Minsk World, a military theme park, is situated in Dapeng Bay, Shenzhen. Opened on May 10, 2000, the park ground holds the huge former Soviet aircraft carrier. There is a theatre on the fifth floor of the park which can accommodate 776 people at a time. Why waiting still to visit Shenzhen? Plan your next vacation to this vibrant city now itself.



Entertainment Center

Wolfgang Jaegel asked:


Manila is an enchanting tourist destination, situated at the mouth of the Pasig River on the eastern shores of the Luzon Island - the largest island of the Philippines. The capital city of the Philippine, Manila is regarded as a gateway to the nation’s remarkable attractions.

Manila is home to a vibrant metropolitan area, the Metro Manila area, sometimes referred to as the National Capital Region (NCR), of which city forms a part. A fine blend of ancient traditions and modernity, Manila showcases an exceptional range of attractions, from colonial structures and parks and museums to fantastic restaurants and exotic shopping malls.

The city is also much famed for its breathtaking vistas comprising the exceptional Manila Bay as well as its scenic golden sunset. Equally worth mentioning is the Manila’s nightlife, with an astounding array of bars, casinos, clubs, and discotheques. Above all, Manila serves as an excellent base to enjoy a variety of exciting activities.

Erected in 1571 by the Spaniards, Intramuros is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Manila. A tour to this amazing walled complex is a great way to experience the rich heritage of the place. Found within the complexes are attractions such as Manila Cathedral and San Agustin Church - the oldest church of the city, Fort Santiago - a 16th century fort built on the ashes of a Muslim king, and Casa Manila - a 19th century mansion graced with beautiful furniture

There is also a museum within the old monastery of the San Agustin Church, exhibiting a rare collection of oil paintings. Further, attractions here cover the Rizal Park - a sought after area for relaxing and enjoying recreational activities. Named in the honor of Jose Rizal - the national hero, the park also holds the distinction of being the largest park in Asia. For those who want to experience the influence of China on the Philippines, a great option would be visit China Town, dotted with superb malls, shops, and restaurants.

Your Manila vacation would not be complete without taking a tour to museums in Manilas, such as, the Metropolitan Museum of Art displaying both classical and contemporary fine arts and the National Museums, or the Museum of the Filipino Peoples, with exhibits portraying the ancient history of the place.

A good number of parks and gardens also form Manila’s attractions. Some of the renowned parks in the area are Greenbelt Park comprising small malls and Paco Park, a well-manicured park which was once a cemetery. Most prominent among the gardens are Chinese Garden, Everest Hills Memorial Garden, Father Blanco’s Garden, and the Japanese Garden. Also, while your stay at Manila take a tour to some of the ancient churches in the area like Bonifacio Shrine, Manila Cathedral, and Quiapo Church.

In addition, Manila is a venue to enjoy a great number of leisure activities. A trip to such destination as Tagaytay, which is much famed for its Taal Volcano, would be unforgettable. Another must-see spot nearby Manila is Laguna, an amazing spot blessed with hot sulphur springs. Similarly, an excursion to Pagsanjan via a canoe ride offers a unique experience.

Above all, Manila is home to a number of festivals, which among many others, are Cinemanila International Film Festival, Chinese New Year, Fiesta of the Black Nazarene, Bailes de Los Arcos, Likhang Kamay, Senakulo, and Metro Manila Film Festival.

Above mentioned are just few among many of the attractions in Manila. Hence, no wonder why tourists flock to Manila all-year round. Manila has accommodation options to cater every taste and pocket. From budget villas and hotels to high-end resorts and apartment, Manila’s accommodation choices are superb.

If you are ready to spend extravagantly, you can go for accommodation that are complete with comfortable rooms, automatic wake-up call, voice mail, air conditioning, data port, and satellite TV. Such facilities as business center, private parking facility, currency exchange facilities, and internet access, are also made available. Further, many of them are within the easy reach of the city’s top attractions. There are also some hotels and resorts, providing packages inclusive of accommodation, dining, and facilities to explore the attractions of the place.

Since many of the hotels, resorts, and other service providers have their own websites, it enables for easy booking of rooms online. All you have to do with regard to online booking is to just enter their website, and inform your budget and preference. Some of them even arrange transportation facilities to pick you to and fro the airport.



Entertainment Center

Raj Pillai asked:


Medical Tourism

Whenever we hear the term “Medical Tourism”, it invokes a mixed expression in our minds, one as a promising new alternative for the people who had to rely on already outstretched Public healthcare system in western countries, and the second is the uncertainty about the quality offered. The portmanteau “Medical Tourism” was created way back in the late 80’s by Travel agents and media as a catchall phrase to describe a new trend where people travel to other countries to obtain cheaper medical care. As we speak, this phenomenon has reached to a point where it has become one of the most promising foreign exchange revenue earners in some Asian nations predominantly India, Singapore and Thailand.

The reasons patients travel for treatment vary. Many medical tourists from the United States are seeking treatment at a quarter or sometimes even a 10th of the cost at home. From Canada, it is often people who are frustrated by long waiting times. From Great Britain, the patient can’t wait for treatment by the National Health Service but also can’t afford to see a physician in private practice. For others, becoming a medical tourist is a chance to combine a tropical vacation with elective or plastic surgery.

And more patients are coming from poorer countries like Bangladesh, Cambodia, Vietnam, and many African nations, where treatment may not be available.

Medical tourism is actually thousands of years old. In ancient Greece, pilgrims and patients came from all over the Mediterranean to the sanctuary of the healing god, Asklepios, at Epidaurus. In Roman Britain, patients took the waters at a shrine at Bath, a practice that continued for 2,000 years. From the 18th century wealthy Europeans travelled to spas from Germany to the Nile. In the 21st century, relatively low-cost jet travel has taken the industry beyond the wealthy and desperate.

Countries that actively promote medical tourism include Cuba, Costa Rica, Hungary, India, Israel, Jordan, Lithuania, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. Belgium, Poland and Spain are now entering the field. South Africa specializes in medical safaris-visit the country for a safari, with a stopover for plastic surgery, a nose job and a chance to see lions and elephants.

India

India is considered the leading country promoting medical tourism-and now it is moving into a new area of “medical outsourcing,” where subcontractors provide services to the overburdened medical care systems in western countries.

India’s National Health Policy declares that treatment of foreign patients is legally an “export” and deemed “eligible for all fiscal incentives extended to export earnings.” Government and private sector studies in India estimate that medical tourism could bring between $1 billion and $2 billion US into the country by 2012. The reports estimate that medical tourism to India is growing by 30 per cent a year.

India’s top-rated education system is not only churning out computer programmers and engineers, but an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 doctors and nurses each year.

The largest of the estimated half-dozen medical corporations in India serving medical tourists is Apollo Hospital Groupwith 37 hospitals, with a total capacity of 7,000 beds, which performed an estimated 60,000 surgeries on visiting patients between 2001 and 2004, and now under negotiations with Britain’s National Health Service to work as a subcontractor, to do operations and medical tests for patients at a fraction of the cost in Britain for either government or private care.

Medical Tourism in India began to grow in the mid 1990s, with the deregulation of the Indian economy, which drastically cut the bureaucratic barriers to expansion and made it easier to import the most modern medical equipment. The first patients were Indian expatriates who returned home for treatment; major investment houses followed with money and then patients from Europe, the Middle East and Canada began to arrive.

Thailand

While, so far, India has attracted patients from Europe, the Middle East and Canada, Thailand has been the goal for Americans.

India initially attracted people who had left that country for the West; Thailand treated western expatriates across Southeast Asia. Many of them worked for western companies and had the advantage of flexible, worldwide medical insurance plans geared specifically at the expatriate and overseas corporate markets.

With the growth of medical-related travel and aggressive marketing, Bangkok became a centre for medical tourism. Hospitals like Bangkok’s International Medical Center and Piyavate Hospital offer services in over two dozen languages, recognizes cultural and religious dietary restrictions and has a special wing for Japanese and Arabic patients.

Even though most of the medical tour companies targeting cosmetic surgery patients often put emphasis on the vacation aspects, offering post-recovery resort stays and holiday packages, private healthcare consulting companies, like, MedAsia Healthcare who specialize in critical care services like open heart surgeries had gone one step further by providing personalized care to the patients by offering surgeon screening, treatment planning, insurance support and even the surgery loan processing on behalf of the patients. With medical professionals who know the psyche of the patients, they can provide that extra comfort on quality and trust.

Emerging Destinations

Other countries interested in medical tourism tended to start offering care to specific markets but have expanded their services as the demand grows around the world. Cuba, for example, first aimed its services at well-off patients from Central and South America and now attracts patients from Canada, Germany and Italy. Malaysia attracts patients from surrounding Southeast Asian countries; Jordan serves patients from the Middle East. Israel caters to both Jewish patients and people from some nearby countries, and South Africa offers package medical holiday deals with stays at either luxury hotels or safaris.

Dental Tourism

The newest and fastest-growing area of medical tourism is a visit to the dentist, where costs are often not covered by basic insurance and by only some extended insurance policies. India, Thailand and Hungary attract patients who want to combine a teeth whitening, extraction or root canal with a vacation. Most notable destination for Dental tourism is Thailand, where the competitions between the clinics for expatriate customers are clearly visible. In a way that competition is actually serving good for the customers, as the clinics deploy the latest cutting edge technologies, employ overseas trained and qualified doctors, and multi lingual marketing team to keep their edge on the market; says Dr. Bob of Bangkok Smile Dental Clinic, a pioneer in the dental tourism industry with multiple clinics in Bangkok. Clinics like Bangkok smile offers the latest same dental implants where by the patient can fly in and get the implant fixed on the same day and fly back on the next day instead of the 2 – 3 visits before, at their clinics for almost 15 - 30 % of the cost one would have to pay if they get it done in US, Canada, Australia or UK. As we speak, Australia is one of the biggest markets for these clinics, and tour companies like Aussie Dental Tours based in Perth, Australia are quick to realize that and offers escorted dentist visits to Thailand.



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