Business

Maldives lays ground work for medical tourism

Published

7 years ago

April 4, 2017

Medical tourism — where patients struggling to afford or find the right treatment at home head overseas — is booming across the globe, with many countries jostling to offer high quality healthcare at reasonable and affordable prices. For instance, around 900,000 Americans travelled overseas for treatment in 2013, according to Patients Beyond Borders, a provider of medical travel information.

However, medical tourism is not the preserve of the developed world; around eight million patients from across the world seek overseas treatment each year, contributing to a global industry worth USD24-USD40 billion, says Patients Beyond Borders.

Maldivians are particularly familiar with medical tourism as majority of outbound travel from the Maldives amount to those who travel abroad for medical treatment. With lack of advanced health facilities in the country, Maldivians frequent hospitals in neighbouring India and Sri Lanka, and has recently started going to South East Asian countries like Malaysia and Thailand as well.

But Maldives is about to turn the tables on medical tourism. With its first world-class hospital coming up in the satellite town of Hulhumale, the country is on track to welcome medical tourists from the world over in a few years.

Set to open in August, the Tree Top Hospital will provide countless world-class health services, including open heart surgery for the first time in the Maldives. The 200-bed multi-speciality hospital will be fully automated, and will be equipped with state-of-the-art technologies and facilities such as the latest advancements in MRI.

The hospital, which will be managed by Malaysia-based Sime Darby Group and Ramsay Health Care Group of Australia, is a USD90 million investment by Tree Top Investments, a joint venture by Casa Holdings, Champa Brothers and Kuredu Holdings. The companies involved in this venture are owned and backed by pioneers of the Maldives tourism industry and leading hoteliers, positioning Tree Top Hospital in the direction of medical tourism.

“After three or four years, we will be all set to court medical tourists,” Ahmed Saleem, one of the shareholders of the hospital, told local media after a tour of the six-storey building on Sunday.

More than a million tourists visit the Maldives every year to holiday in the island paradise, which is known for its white sand beaches and unique natural beauty. But tourism in the Maldives is currently limited to some 160 island resorts developed exclusively for a luxury vacation experience or to one of the guesthouses in a local island.

With the opening of Tree Top Hospital, the number of locals having to travel abroad to obtain specialised medical care will be significantly reduced, saving considerably on increasing medical expenses. But the most significant aspect of this ambitious venture will be the introduction of medical tourism in the Maldives — a new segment to the world-renowned tourism industry of the Maldives.

Business

Maldives celebrates arrival of 2024’s 1 millionth tourist

Published

4 weeks ago

June 27, 2024

m@ldives

Maldives on Thursday welcomed the one millionth tourist to visit this year.

The one millionth tourist is a Thai named Sutapa Amonwivat, who arrived from Singapore with her husband and two children. This is her second visit to Maldives.

Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) and the Ministry of Tourism gave a warm welcome to Sutapa at the Velana International Airport (VIA) Thursday afternoon. She was welcomed at the VIA by tourism minister Ibrahim Faisal, MMPRC Managing Director Ibrahim Shiury and senior officials of various relevant agencies.

After welcoming her with traditional offerings, she was presented with various gifts by the ministry, MMPRC, customs, immigration, Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) and Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA).

Maldives reached one million tourists in June, three weeks earlier than last year. The number of tourists reached one million on July 16, 2023.

Maldives expects to reach 2 million tourists this year.

Business

New air route connects Chongqing to Maldives

Published

1 month ago

June 25, 2024

m@ldives

Chongqing Airlines on Monday began its inaugural flights to Maldives.

The Chongqing-Male route, scheduled three times a week, is expected to strengthen the bonds between China and the Maldives, opening up exciting new opportunities for tourism and cultural exchange.

The inaugural flight was welcomed upon its arrival at Velana International Airport (VIA) in Maldives, where local officials and tourism representatives expressed their enthusiasm for this new development.

“We warmly welcome our friends from China to our beautiful islands. This new connection strengthens our bonds and opens up new opportunities for tourism,” the tourism ministry said on X.

Maldives currently welcomes four airlines from China, including China Eastern, Beijing Capital Airlines, Xiamen Airlines.

In January, Maldives government urged tourism stakeholders in both Maldives and China to ramp up efforts to restore China’s position as the primary source market for Maldives tourism, a status held before the onset of Covid-19.

China, being the largest source market for Maldives tourism before the pandemic, saw a resumption of tourist arrivals from January 2023 after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic. In 2023, the Maldives welcomed 187,118 Chinese tourists, marking a significant recovery in numbers. This year, the Maldives has welcomed the most number of tourists from China, with over 107,940 or 11.5 percent of total arrivals by June 12.

Business

CROSSROADS Maldives Introduces Weixin Pay at resorts for seamless guest experience

Published

1 month ago

June 21, 2024

m@ldives

CROSSROADS Maldives has introduced WeChat Pay, widely known as Weixin Pay in China, across its world-class resorts, SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton, and Hard Rock Hotel Maldives. This payment option is made available to enhance the convenience and overall experience for guests from China, making their stay in the Maldives more enjoyable and hassle-free.

Understanding the needs of the diverse guests, CROSSROADS Maldives has integrated WeChat Pay into operations, allowing guests from China to easily and securely conduct transactions using a payment method familiar to them. The introduction of WeChat Pay is a testament to CROSSROADS Maldives’ dedication to enhancing guest satisfaction by offering exceptional experiences at every turn. What is also expected through this initiative is that the guests could benefit from better foreign exchange rates, translating to better savings on their expenditures during their stay.

The option is available for guests in-house conveniently at both resorts as well as across the Marina at CROSSROADS Maldives where a wider variety of unparalleled dining and retail experiences are available for all guests. The day visitors from China will also therefore equally benefit from this new introduction at the Maldives’ premier multi-island integrated leisure destination.

SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton, is a vibrant tropical escape that offers unique and locally inspired experiences. The resort features spacious rooms and villas, a variety of dining options, and an array of recreational activities designed to cater to the desires of modern travellers. Guests can escape to the island’s SAiisational natural beauty, enjoy water sports, and indulge in spa treatments, all while relishing the personalised service that defines Hilton’s Curio Collection.

Hard Rock Hotel Maldives brings the iconic Hard Rock spirit to the tranquil shores of the Maldives. This family-friendly resort offers a perfect blend of relaxation and entertainment, featuring music-inspired experiences, live performances, and the brand’s signature amenities. With luxurious accommodations, diverse dining options, and a plethora of activities for all ages, Hard Rock Hotel Maldives ensures an unforgettable holiday experience for every guest.