Health Tourism refers to travel undertaken by clients with medical conditions to enjoy a more salutary environment, to seek out alternative therapeutic treatments/therapies, or to visit a health spa.
Wellness Tourism refers to travel for the purpose of enhancing and engaging all aspects of a person’s physical, mental, spiritual, and social wellbeing, especially when maintained or achieved through healthy diet and regular exercise such as (massage therapy, thalasso therapy, fitness training, etc).
Health and wellness tourism is now an international trend driven by health conscious consumers seeking to enhance their wellbeing through their travel experiences. “Worldwide the health and wellness sector is a USD 40 billion market and is estimated to be growing at 30% per annum” (Commonwealth Secretariat Study).
Being cognizant of the economic potential benefits of the health and wellness tourism industry in the Caribbean, Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) has collaborated with the Caribbean Spa and Wellness Association(C-SWA) on a project to strategically assist the 15 CARIFORUM member countries; Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Belize, Dominica Republic, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St.Lucia, St.Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, the Bahamas and Trinidad & Tobago, in developing and promoting health and wellness tourism.
The project will commence in 2010 and will focus on;
- Market Research and Strategy Development
- Marketing and Promotion
- Standards Development
A presentation of the proposed project would be made by Mr. Steve Andrews, Chairman of the Caribbean Spa & Wellness Association on July 23rd, 2010 commencing at 9:00 am at the GIDC conference room. Interested persons within the health and wellness sector are invited to attend.
Confirmation of attendance is to be made by July 20, 2010, by contacting GIDC Office at telephone number 473-444-1035.