scholarly journals DETERMINANTS AND STRATEGIES OF MEDICAL TOURISM DEVELOPMENT BY TAKING THE SERVICE INTEGRATION AND TOURISM DESTINATION COMPETITIVENESS APPROACH (A Case Study Razavi Khorasan Province, Iran)

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 352-370
Author(s):  
Sayedeh HOSSEINI ◽  
◽  
Massoud TAGHVAEI ◽  

Introduction: Considering the significant position of medical tourism industry in global economy as well as Iran’s capabilities in this industry, the present research was conducted so as to compile the determinants of medical tourism development and present its respective strategies taking the approach of health village expansion and integrated service provision in Health Region No. 9 (Razavi Khorasan province). Methodology: This research was conducted by combining the qualitative and quantitative techniques. Data collection was done by content analysis followed by an interview and a survey administered to a number of key experts. Data were analyzed by MAXQDA-18, Expert Choice11 and Excel software and SOWT, fuzzy DEMATEL and AHP techniques. Findings: In this study, a framework of indexes was compiled and evaluated selected from different aspects taking the approach of service integration and destination competitiveness in the form of health villages. In the next phase, the status quo of Mashhad was categorized into 38 internal and 31 external factors to be prioritized. In the end, considering the identified factors and their interrelationships, the most important strategies were extracted and prioritized. Conclusions: To create a sustainable competitive market and attract more medical tourists, revealed that the respective authorities need to pay due attention to this issue proportionate to the indexes and strategies envisaged in the compilation, designing and implementation of policies and plans related to Mashhad’s medical tourism development in moving towards the creation of competitive advantage in an integrated way and promotion of medical tourism by focusing on the prioritization performed for the healthcare system.

2007 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. v-vi
Author(s):  
Joby Thomas

The second volume of Atna comes to you with our humble efforts to enrich tourism literature in India. We are delighted with the overwhelming response to the I volume from distinguished readers across India and abroad. Inspired by the constructive comments to the I volume, the second volume of Atna continue to incorporate articles on diverse areas of tourism such as sustainable tourism, heritage, medical tourism, cruises, cuisines, education, aviation etc. Raiesh N Ragde and Maduri T Sawant in their article on 'Proficiency of Foreign Languages : A study of the approved tourist guides of Aurangabad Region' state that, most of the tourist guides engaged in tourism business do not have proficiency of foreign languages, resulting in lack of appreciation of their role and responsibilities. Nedelea and Babu P George presents a case study of sustainable tourism development in Eastern Europe. This article points to the problems faced by hospitality and tourism industry in Romania and force the tourism sector to contemplate on the approaches towards sustainable tourism development. Strategies for sustainable eco-tourism by Maduri T Sawant examines the overall development of tourism and suggests strategies for sustainable tourism development. Sindhu Joseph critically analyses the potential and present stage of development of Bekal beach resort in Kerala in her article 'Special tourism Area- a critical study of Bekal.' 'Management of Eco-tourism sites: A case study of Aianta Ellora caves' by Raiesh N Ragde and Maduri Sawant highlights that the heritage contributes to the richness of any landscape and can attract innumerable tourists looking for cultural experiences in eco-friendly environment. Prospects of developing Medical tourism in India authored by Binoy T A draws attention to the pivotal role of medical tourism and calls for coordinated promotional strategies to develop medical tourism. Paramita Suklabaidya explores the potential of cruises as tourism product and the reasons for its growing popularity worldwide in her article 'New Age Tourism Product: The Cruise Industry - the Fastest growing Tourism Sector'. Gastronomy tourism can be a pull factor for many tourism market segments and the role of Gastronomy Tourism in promoting Jharkhand as a Tourist Destination is beautifully presented by Mohinder Chand, Ashish Dahiya and Lata S Patil. Issues of effective teaching and learning in tourism education by Toney K. Thomas reviews and evaluates the effectiveness of the application of skills in the industry. Joby Thomas and P. Pakkerappa in their article highlight the crucial role of HRD in airline industry to cope UP with the challenges of advancement in technology, changing market scenario, industry restructuring and more competitive business environment. To demonstrate the techniques of implementing intrapreneurship with examples from the tourism industry a case of Southwest Airlines of USA, is presented by Jyothirmoy Ghosh and Anianeya Swamy, and portrays how the intrapreneurship principles are applied effectively in tourism sector. On behalf of the editorial board I extend sincere gratitude to all the authors for contributing their scholarly articles to Atna. We look forward to the support, guidance and encouragement of academicians, researchers, professionals and well wishers of tourism and hospitality sector in our future endeavours. Joby Thomas Executive Editor


Author(s):  
Francesca Di Virgilio ◽  
Angelo A. Camillo ◽  
Isabell C. Camillo

Tourism represents one of the most important industries in the global economy. Medical tourism is not a new phenomenon: mankind has traveled to foreign lands to access treatment for many years. Current research in information and communication technology considerably affects the tourism industry by providing innovative tools capable, on the one hand, of supporting tourists in organizing their holidays and, on the other, of supplying fast and efficient information on tourist destination. Published literature shows that many aspects of medical tourists' behavior are under-researched. One of these aspects is the impact of social media on tourists' behavior for the choice of tourist medical destination, which is the original focus of this research. This paper explores how a social network can become a strategic platform using eWOM (electronic Word of Mouth) as a tool for disseminating fast and detailed information for the choice of medical tourist destination. A survey instrument was used to collect information from Italian active users of a social network: Facebook. Data was solicited from 960 active, experienced users. The findings support the development of medical tourism communication strategies focused on the online contexts as factors capable of influencing medical tourists' behavior in a more efficient way. Implications and future research directions are discussed.


2020 ◽  
pp. 146735842096603
Author(s):  
Afamefuna Eyisi ◽  
Diane Lee ◽  
Kathryn Trees

Collaboration and community participation are crucial for securing sustainable tourism and highlight the need to listen and respond to the broad range of stakeholders’ voices, opinions, and concerns. These concepts dominated the discourse of sustainable-responsible tourism and gave rise to collaboration theory as well as various types of community participation. Many scholars in both Western and emerging economies have employed these concepts; however, there is limited research on how they apply in the Nigerian tourism industry. Therefore, this exploratory research discusses collaboration and community participation in tourism development in Nigeria, using the Southeastern region as a case study. In this area, tourism is in the early phase of growth. The paper reports on interviews and focus group discussions used to interact with tourism stakeholders in the region (traditional rulers, men, women, and youth representatives, chief priests, security agents, and tourism officials). Results showed that while the stakeholders are willing to collaborate, challenges affecting their efforts include autocratic governance structures leading to mistrust, clash of responsibilities, inadequate funding for security, lack of tourism awareness and little respect for local culture. The paper concludes that to develop a resident-friendly tourism destination and sustain collaboration and community participation, stakeholders require education about tourism and opportunities to participate in planning.


2018 ◽  
Vol 169 ◽  
pp. 01024
Author(s):  
Ying-Hsun Hung ◽  
Jerome Chih-Lung Chou ◽  
Jung Ma ◽  
Ching-pei Lin

Medical tourism has become an investment focus for many Asian countries. For example, India, Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, and Malaysia have governmental projects to foster this emerging industry, and successfully attract millions of medical tourists each year. Medical tourism consists of diverse industries that can provide abundant opportunities of new businesses. Currently Taiwan is trying to catch up in this trend by making national development policies, setting up institutions, modifying laws and regulations, and encouraging investment of private sector. The purpose of this study is to analyze the status quo of international medical tourism in Taiwan, and identify several opportunities for small businesses to catch and to participate in forming a solid medical tourism industry for Taiwan.


Author(s):  
Claudia Spanka ◽  
Irena Silineviča

Due to the demographical changes and the currently booming health industry, the medical tourism sector has a great future potential. This paper provides an analysis about the medical tourism market itself and gives an insight in the field of marketing opportunities in the medical tourism development. Therefore, to give a basis for the further development of marketing strategies, the consumer behaviour will be analysed. In addition, a theoretical overview about used and useable Marketing methods in the medical tourism industry will be out-lined. The used scientific methods within this research work are as the following: content analysis, graphical analysis and synthesis, reference methods, logical and abstract constructive methods.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-83
Author(s):  
Karen M. McNamara

Abstract This article examines the experiences of Bangladeshi patients and their families as they travel transnationally within Asia for medical care. I explain how failures of biomedicine in Bangladesh feed into idealized expectations of care abroad. This medical imaginary is fueled by the hope that more expensive treatment in wealthier countries will result in better care, and it is sustained by the way the medical tourism industry operates and the way Bangladeshi patients and their families make choices and engage in the doing of care abroad. A detailed case study of a Bangladeshi cancer patient’s prolonged care in Singapore illustrates the tensions and ambivalences in the quest for the best treatment. These tensions are exacerbated by the linguistic, monetary, and emotional challenges faced in traveling back and forth between countries. While patients feel at times betrayed by experiences of care that do not meet their expectations, they also feel compelled to carry on. I capture this dynamic in the term rhythms of care, understanding these as the way the medical imaginary shapes care practices that become a scaffolding for hope to be maintained and further travel to be undertaken. I also reflect on how I become part of these rhythms by acting as the family’s interpreter as they navigate health care in Singapore.


2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaunette Marie Sinclair-Maragh

Title – Resort-based or resource-based tourism? A case study of Jamaica. Subject area – This case study can be used in the following subject areas: tourism management; tourism policy; tourism planning and development; destination marketing and management; hospitality and tourism management; special event planning and management; and attraction management. Study level/applicability – This case study is useful to both undergraduate and graduate students specializing in hospitality and tourism management. Case overview – This case study explored the nature of two forms of tourism development; resort-based and resource-based, and aimed to determine which is the more viable and sustainable option for the future of tourism in Jamaica, an island destination in the Caribbean which depends highly on the tourism industry. The literature established that both forms of tourism are challenged by several and varying factors and so their synergistic integration appears to be the most functional option for sustainable tourism development in Jamaica along with the involvement of the relevant stakeholders. Expected learning outcomes – The students should be able to: Distinguish between resort-based tourism and resource-based tourism by identifying the elements and attributes that make them different. ▪Explain the usefulness and drawbacks of both types of tourism model. ▪Discuss the nature of culture and heritage tourism and eco-tourism. ▪Analyze Jamaica's tourism model from the nineteenth to the twenty-firstst century by assessing the changes and developments. ▪Discuss the role of government in facilitating the development of a “wholisitic tourism model” that will facilitate the synergy of resort-based tourism and resource-based tourism. ▪Assess the role of the private sector in encouraging and facilitating resource-based tourism. Supplementary materials – Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email [email protected] to request teaching notes. Social implications – This case study conceptually and empirically analyzed the tourism model in Jamaica to ascertain whether or not the future of Jamaica's tourism should remain dependent on resort-based tourism or should it opt for resource-based tourism as a more viable and sustainable option. The discussion however, indicates that resort-based tourism can synergize with resource-based tourism to achieve sustainable development along with the involvement of all the relevant stakeholders including the government, hotel operators and the residents. The case synopsis likewise presented a concise summary of the literature reviewed regarding the concepts of resort-based tourism and resource-based tourism; and the case of Jamaica's tourism.The learning outcomes are intended to guide the teaching- learning process and stimulate students' understanding of the concepts of resort-based tourism and resource-based tourism and their specific implications in terms of tourism development in Jamaica. This knowledge can also be generalized to other destinations with similar historical background and tourism resources. The applied questions will guide the discussions and provide additional resources for assessment purposes. They will also help the students to critically assess the dynamics of tourism development.The case synopsis is consistent with the learning outcomes, corresponding applied questions and course recommendations. A total of two to three-hours teaching session can be used to discuss the constructs, analyze the case in point and answer the applied questions.


2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (38) ◽  
pp. 73-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alice Magombo ◽  
Christian M. Rogerson ◽  
Jayne M. Rogerson

AbstractThe accommodation services sector is a vital underpinning of the competitiveness of destinations in especially emerging tourism regions of the global economy. Within the environment of Africa building the competitiveness of countries as tourism destinations is inseparable from the challenge of establishing a network of different forms of accommodation at competitive prices and internationally acceptable quality standards. This paper uses a longitudinal approach to analyse the development of the accommodation services sector in one African country - Malawi - which is scaling up its tourism industry. Using historical evidence the objective is to examine the unfolding evolution of accommodation services as a factor in enhancing tourism destination competitiveness. The chequered pathway followed in Malawi to building the country’s network of hotels and small-scale accommodation establishments is traced from the colonial period to post-independence developments. It is argued that in understanding the historical evolution of accommodation services policy re-orientations have been significant drivers of change.


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