Chinese visitors may revive focus on medical tourism

Accelerating numbers of Chinese visitors to the islands of Hawaii represent a refreshed and unprecedented opportunity for health tourism.

A few years ago, on contract with the Hawaii Tourism Authority, consultants Global Advisory Services worked with the healthcare and hospitality industries and developed a business plan: “Healing in Paradise: A Strategy for Cultivating Health and Wellness Tourism in Hawaii.”

The consensus was that success depends on gaining an intimate understanding of the unique intentions of visitors. The economic crisis saw tourist numbers fall so it was all forgotten about.

Previous attempts at formal medical tourism on Oahu were unsuccessful. They focused on modern medicine and executive wellness, targeting visitors from Japan. Hawaii is too expensive to compete with Thailand, Malaysia and India for discounted modern services such as dental implants, cosmetic surgery or elective joint replacements. Hawaii also has difficulty competing with world-renowned brands on the mainland such as Mayo Clinic or Cleveland Clinic for rare or complicated conditions.

The islands are seeing a revival in tourism, led by well off Chinese visitors seeking to enjoy the sun and surf. Whether they can be persuaded to buy healthcare is an open question. A better possibility may be health and wellness offerings from up market spas and similar modern health offerings.