1st D-8 Working Group Meeting on Health Tourism Confirms to Boost Cooperation

Antalya, Turkey | March 14, 2009 by D-8 Secretariat

The D-8 1st Working Group Meeting on Health Tourism, on March 1, 2009, in Antalya, Turkey was attended by delegates from Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Pakistan and Turkey.

The Government of Turkey, Ministry of Culture and Tourism organized and chaired the D-8 1st Working Group Meeting on Health Tourism, on March 1, 2009, in Antalya, Turkey. The meeting was attended by delegates from the Republic of Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Malaysia, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Republic of Turkey.

The meeting was opened by a welcoming remarks by Mr. Ali Ağbal, Deputy Director General for Investments and Establishments of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey.

In his speech he expressed the importance of knowing each D-8 Countries’ strengths and weaknesses in health and thermal tourism in order to improve exchange of views. In this respect he emphasized that the human and financial resources could be shared for the common benefit of D-8 Countries.

He gave information on diversification of tourism and special emphasis on thermal and health tourism in Turkey. He also briefed delegates about physical and social infrastructures of Turkey.

Lastly, he mentioned that D-8 Countries having investment potentials should invest primarily among themselves.

Mr. Turabi Çelebi, General Director of İzmir Balçova Thermal Tourism Facility, who was elected as the Chairman of this Meeting, officially leading the meeting by introducing himself and gave information about the Balçova Thermal Tourism Facility. Then he gave the floor to delegation members to introduce themselves.

Mr. Turabi Çelebi, Chairperson made a speech on the meaning of Thermal Tourism and its different interpretation such as; thermal, spa-wellness and investments. He stressed the importance of legal establishments and the harmonization with EU and other international regulations. Also he emphasized the importance of standardization, establishment of infrastructure, training of human sources which will contribute to economic growth. He expressed our key interest in developing infrastructure as well as social security particularly with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

In the meeting, D-8 Organization also made several points to the board. On behalf of H.E. Dr. Dipo Alam, the Secretary General of D-8, Mrs. Z. Esen Gönen, Economist of D-8 Secretariat presented his speech to the Working Group. In his presentation, emerging health tourism market, especially thermal tourism, importance of cooperation among D-8 Countries in this field, enhanced participation of private sector and NGO’s were emphasized. Also, the necessary vehicles such as institutional development, capacity building, marketing and public diplomacy of D-8 cooperation were mentioned.

The importance of Thermal Tourism in Turkey was further discussed by Mr. Taner Piri, Culture and Tourism Expert, the Importance of Thermal Tourism in Turkey. He gave information on the current situation on Medical Tourism, the Importance of Thermal Tourism in Turkey and marketing opportunities for Thermal Tourism.

Several experienced were exchanged and discussed among the board regarding the health tourism activities in D-8 countries. Mr. Koosha from Iran Delegation made a speech about thermal and health tourism activities in Iran.  He emphasized the importance of working on the mutual development of economics of D-8 Countries in tourism especially in the field of health tourism. He said that tourism has a priority in the development of the economy of Iran and he gave some data on tourism investments in Iran.

Mr. Koosha suggested below mentioned points:

Creating a web-site to introduce health tourism activities
Introducing packages in the field of tourism to invest D-8 Countries
Legislation on insurance companies regarding to health tourism
Facilitate visa issue
Publishing a book about investment potential and attractions of health tourism in D-8 Countries
Developing mechanisms to exchange the idea and experience in the health tourism
Preparing a special training program to improve human resources
Giving opportunity to tour operators specialized in health tourism to visit the D-8 Countries

- Mr. Chairman expressed that since the 1930s Turkey has been carrying out scientific researches on that issue, founding a particular faculty on health tourism first in İstanbul University on Hydro Climatology and Medical Ecology and widespread it to other Universities of the country. He also mentioned that in our other Universities physical therapists, hydro therapists and medical masseurs trainings have carried out.

- Mr. Syed Iftikhar expressed that health tourism is in parallel with social development and spending power of population. In addition he expressed that it is essential to establish an effective cooperation in order to learn about each others capacity and a panel of experts may be commissioned to study and recommend ways for developing Health Tourism and expanding cooperation among the D-8 Countries. He stressed that each country should accept their health insurance in the other D-8 Country.

In the cooperation in investment in health tourism, various views from board were also exchanged. Mr. Badli from Malaysia gave statistics about the health tourism in 2007 then talked about the strength of the health tourism sector in Malaysia such as competitiveness, affordable hospital charges, favorable exchange rates, ISO certification, advanced medical technologies and enough number of specialists as well as hospitals are licensed and regulated by the Ministry of Health.

Mr. Koosha requested the possibilities of exchange of training in the field of health tourism.

The Chairman explained that Turkey has already license and certificate programs in this means. These training programs are in Turkish however, they could be translated in English and could be distributed in cooperation among the D-8 Countries.

The meeting produced several recommendations, which follows:

The Working Group on Health Tourism recommended defining a time table for the collection of information on health tourism in order to create a web-site dedicated to D-8 Countries.

The Working Group on Health Tourism recalled the importance of the ratification of the Visa Agreement for its entry into force.

The Working Group on Health Tourism stressed the importance of cooperation in publishing a book covering all kinds of tourism investment potential, attractions and opportunities within the D-8 Countries.

The Working Group on Health Tourism recommended preparing a special training program to improve human resources.

For photos related to this event, please browse our gallery (main menu) or simply by clicking below link:

http://www.developing8.org/photos/various-meetings/

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