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Travel Institute Launches Well-Being Travel Specialist Course

Thu, 23 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The first-ever travel agent specialist course on medical and wellness tourism is now available from The Travel Institute. The online course, developed in partnership with Well-Being Travel, offers interactive instruction, including on sales and marketing. Agents who register early will receive additional benefits.

So. Korea Courts Medical, Wellness Travelers

Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

With affordable care and hospitals sporting resort-like amenities, South Korea is actively positioning itself as a medical and wellness tourism destination. Josef Woodman, publisher of Patients Beyond Borders, recently returned from the destination. Here’s his firsthand report.

Pravassa Event Brings Wellness Travel Exposure to Agents

Thu, 09 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Travel agents learned about the varied aspects of wellness travel during an event sponsored by Pravassa Wellness Travel and Well-Being Travel. Held in New York City, the event featured expert-led workshops and activities such as yoga, kettlebell training and even tango dancing. A once skeptical agent said he now plans to pursue the niche.

Survey Sees Robust Growth for Medical Tourism

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Medical tourism will continue on an upward track in the year ahead, according to a new survey. The outlook bodes well for travel sellers. Some survey results were met with skepticism by experts.

Spa Travel Bookings Through Agents on the Rise, Survey Says

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Consumer interest in spa vacations is increasing – and so are travel agent spa bookings, according to a new survey. The findings also indicate that the per-night cost of spa vacations is rising rapidly, but good deals still abound. And Mexico and the Caribbean are now the most favored spa destinations.

4 Tips for Introducing Wellness Into Clients’ Vacations

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Wellness travel is one of the industry’s hottest trends, as more consumers seek relief from daily stress and constant connectivity. Agents can develop this niche by recognizing that wellness travel goes beyond spa treatments to encompass many aspects of a rewarding vacation.

Well-Being Travel Teams Up With Leading Wellness Vacation Expert

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Well-Being Travel announced a preferred supplier agreement with Pravassa Wellness Travel, a provider of customized wellness vacations. A wellness day for agents in New York on March 20 will kick off the partnership. Participants will experience wellness components firsthand and learn how wellness travel can serve their clients.

10 Spa Trends & How to Capitalize on Them

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Keeping up with spa trends will help travel sellers capitalize on growing interest in wellness travel. Susie Ellis, president of SpaFinder, shares findings from the firm’s latest survey on global spa trends. She also addresses what the trends mean for agents and how to put them to use.

2012: Year of Milestones in Medical Travel

Thu, 27 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Medical tourism got a boost in 2012 from several landmark events, including the inaugural Well-Being and Medical Travel Conference in June. Other key developments included news from major U.S. corporations regarding employee medical travel coverage and the growth of medical travel destinations worldwide.

Keep an Eye on Asia, Med Travel Expert Advises

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT

With its fast-growing infrastructure, Asia holds plenty of opportunity for travel agents in both the U.S. and Canada, says medical travel expert and author Josef Woodman. In particular, Malaysia is a culturally friendly destination that is targeting U.S. retirees with second homes and wellness facilities.

Jump-Start Clients’ New Year’s Resolutions With a Wellness Trip

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT

With New Year’s resolutions coming up, now is the time to tweak clients’ interest in a wellness vacation. Fitness and spa resorts have evolved in what they offer guests. With some wellness programs reaching $1,000 a night, they are a good revenue source for agents.

Medical / Wellness Travel Specialist Course to Launch in 2013

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT

A new specialist course on medical and wellness travel is being launched by Well-Being Travel and The Travel Institute. Available at the end of the first quarter of 2013, it will feature online modules addressing everything from wellness vacations to the legalities surrounding travel for medical procedures.

Walmart Offers Medical Travel Coverage to Employees

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The nation’s largest employer offered medical travel coverage for to an estimated 1.1 million employees and their dependents. Boeing Co. also added a medical travel benefit. “Walmart joins companies like PepsiCo and Loews that are looking for alternative health services for their employees,” said Anne Marie Moebes of Well-Being Travel.

Wellness Rooms, Fight Simulators Highlight New Health Options on Land & Sea

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Las Vegas is upping the ante on wellness vacations in the form of new “Stay Well” rooms at the MGM Grand. Also: innovative and elaborate spas will be unveiled next spring on the Norwegian Breakaway and at The Homestead, and more spas are targeting men and sleep-deprived customers.

Successful Spa Sellers See a Growing Market

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT

A focus by destination spas on creating a wellness experience for aging consumers looking to stay forever young has expanded money-making opportunities for travel sellers. Two agents who specialize in this niche product discuss prime target markets and what it takes to succeed.

Selling Wellness Vacations: 20 Questions to Ask Your Clients

Mon, 20 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Putting together a successful wellness vacations begins with asking clients the right questions. A wellness travel expert shares her insights on what to ask. Areas to cover include goals, budget, environmental needs, food and activity preferences, and more.

Med Travel Exec: Obamacare Will Spur Employee Travel Coverage

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The Supreme Court’s validation of the Affordable Care Act will encourage companies to include medical travel in health coverage for employees, predicts an industry executive. Also: Thailand, Dubai and South Korea see a surge in medical tourism, and two firms are building databases of international healthcare providers.

Healthcare Reform Unlikely to Slow Medical Travel Growth, Experts Say

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The implementation of the Affordable Care Act should have little impact on medical tourism, experts say. Americans will continue to travel for safety and service as well as to avoid long wait times. And areas such as dentistry and cosmetic procedures will be completely unaffected.

Medical Travelers Share Their Real-Life Stories

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Three medical travelers to Costa Rica say they not only saved money on their procedures, they were happy with the quality of care and the time spent vacationing at beaches and national parks.The travelers shared their experiences at the recent Well-Being and Medical Travel Conference.

Historic Conference a Milestone for Medical Travel Industry

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The Well-Being and Medical Travel Conference brought together all facets of the medical and wellness travel industry together for the first time last week. Travel sellers met with key suppliers, learned from the top experts and heard inspiring stories from medical travelers.

More Destinations Poised for Medical Tourism Growth

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

From Bali to the Bahamas, destinations are eyeing medical tourism with new and planned developments. In Bali, a Courtyard by Marriott has teamed up with a new hospital, while Grand Cayman Island is breaking ground on a “healthcare city.” India and Grand Bahama Island are other med tourism hot spots.

Agents Eligible to Win $5,500 Prize at Well-Being Travel Conference

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

A wellness travel experience in Turkey worth $5.500 will be awarded at the Well-Being and Medical Travel Conference 2012 on June 20-21. The prize, sponsored by a Johns Hopkins-affiliated medical center, includes a premium medical check-up, round-trip air, hotel and sightseeing.

High-Profile Speakers on Tap for Medical Travel Conference

Thu, 31 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Medical and wellness travel’s top experts will share insider advice and insights with travel sellers when the Well-Being and Medical Travel Conference gets under way, just three weeks from now. The lineup includes a motivational speaker and former contestant on the TV show “The Biggest Loser.” A guide to selling medical travel will be among the tools that agents take away.