SYNERGY BETWEEN THE SPA AND MEDICAL TOURISM INDUSTRIES

“SYNERGY BETWEEN THE SPA AND MEDICAL TOURISM INDUSTRIES” PRESENTED AT THE WORLD MEDICAL TOURISM & GLOBAL HEALTH CONGRESS
September, 2008

(LOS ANGELES, CA -SEPT 2008) — Camille Hoheb, owner and founder of Los Angeles California.-based Global Spa and Wellness moderated an international panel of speakers at the World Medical Tourism and Global Health Conference organized by the Medical Tourism Association (http://www.medicaltourismcongress.com/) and held September 9th though the 12th 2008 at the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco.

The panel discussion, entitled “Synergy between Medical Tourism and Spa Tourism Industries” included Dr. Talavane Krishna, Founder and President of Indus Valley Ayurvedic Clinic in India; Cecile Billiet, owner and founder of Spa-Med-Holiday in Guatemala and Bonnie Joy Kaslan, Honorary Consul General representing the Republic of Turkey.

Ms. Hoheb stated, “It was an honor to be involved with the Medical Tourism Association in planning and moderating the panel discussion which focused on spa and medical tourism. The diverse group presented the authentic healing traditions of India, Turkey and Guatemala. The purpose of the session was to facilitate open dialogue and a friendly exchange of ideas between two industries that are meeting the growing demands for health and wellness worldwide”.

About Camille Hoheb
Camille Hoheb is a business development consultant based in Los Angeles providing strategic planning, operations, and marketing and public relations services to the spa and wellness industries. With 17 years in hospital administration, spa and wellness center start-ups, she has developed over 120+ spas nationwide, held executive positions with several medical spa franchise companies and specialized in physician retention and marketing in the hospital industry. Ms. Hoheb earned her Master’s degree in Health Care Administration and has been widely published in national trade publications. She is member of the Day Spa Association and sits on the Advisory Committee for the Association of Improving Health Tourism.

About Global Spa and Wellness

Global Spa and Wellness is a development firm delivering strategies and solutions to spa, health & wellness businesses. Our goal is to provide direction, strategy and resources to enable a business to grow and thrive. Global Spa and Wellness provides services to businesses seeking to enter the field, to grow and to expand. These businesses include: days spas medical spas, wellness centers, physician practices, hospitals, outpatient centers, teaching institutions and clinics.

Related Links:
www.medicaltourismcongress.com
www.medicaltourismassociation.com
www.globalspaandwellness.com

Keywords: Camille Hoheb, “Global Spa and Wellness”, Medical Tourism, Medical Tourism Association, World Medical Tourism and Global Health Congress

The Importance of Thermal Spa Tourism in Turkey and to Neighboring Middle Eastern Countries

“The Importance of Thermal Spa Tourism in Turkey and to Neighboring Middle Eastern Countries” presented at international medical tourism symposium by Camille Hoheb, Founder and Owner of Global Spa and Wellness

October, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
(LOS ANGELES, CA -OCT 2008) — Camille Hoheb, owner and founder of Los Angeles California.-based Global Spa and Wellness spoke at the Health Tourism Symposium organized by The Association of Improving Health Tourism (http://www.saglikturizmi.org.tr/eng/) held October 11th 2008, in Adana , Turkey. The Health Tourism Symposium was part of “Cukova Medicine 2008”, a medical products and technology fair/exhibit.

The presentation, entitled “The Importance of Thermal Spa Tourism in Turkey and to Neighboring Middle Eastern Countries” provided an overview of the status and potential of Turkey’s numerous thermal spas as an attractive and critical health tourism product.

Ms. Hoheb stated, “Adana is a city that is positioning itself to become a prominent health tourism destination and it was an honor to speak on one of the three major medical tourism initiatives of Turkey. I felt privileged to exchange information and ideas on $40 billion global industry with speakers from Jordan, Greece and the host country. This event was an excellent precursor to the International Medical Tourism Congress to be held next March in Turkey where which 1,500 participants representing 30 countries are expected.”

About Camille Hoheb
Camille Hoheb is a business development consultant based in Los Angeles providing strategic planning, operations, and marketing and public relations services to the spa and wellness industries. With 17 years in hospital administration, spa and wellness center start-ups, she has developed over 120+ spas nationwide, held executive positions with several medical spa franchise companies and specialized in physician retention and marketing in the hospital industry. Ms. Hoheb earned her Master’s degree in Health Care Administration and has been widely published in national trade publications. She is member of the Day Spa Association and sits on the Advisory Committee for the Association of Improving Health Tourism.

About Global Spa and Wellness
Global Spa and Wellness is a development firm delivering strategies and solutions to spa, health & wellness businesses. Our goal is to provide direction, strategy and resources to enable a business to grow and thrive. Global Spa and Wellness provides services to businesses seeking to enter the field, to grow and to expand. These businesses include: days spas medical spas, wellness centers, physician practices, hospitals, outpatient centers, teaching institutions and clinics.

About The Association for Improving Health Tourism (AIHT)
The Association was founded in 2005 to improve health tourism in Turkey. Medical tourism, spa tourism and tourism for the elderly and handicapped are key product lines in the tourism industry. The AIHT seeks to establish Turkey as a leader in the growing medical tourism industry by securing cooperation with professional institutions, government agencies and private organizations. Each year the AIHT hosts an international Congress to promote health tourism worldwide.

About The Association for Improving Health Tourism Congress
The 2nd annual International Health Tourism Congress will be held February 27-March 2, 2009 in Antalya, Turkey. For more information: http://www.saglikturizmi2009.org/

Related Links:
http://www.globalspaandwellness.com/
http://www.saglikturizmi.org.tr/eng/
http://www.saglikturizmi2009.org/

Keywords: Camille Hoheb, “Global Spa and Wellness”, Medical Tourism, Health Tourism, “Association for Improving Health Tourism”, “thermal spa tourism”, Turkey

Cemberlistas Hamam - A Spa Experience

Having traveled half way around the word, having slept 5 hours in 3 days and partaking in a 9 hour walking tour of historic Istanbul over centuries old cobblestone streets, I eagerly sought out the famous Turkish baths I have heard about for years. Thankfully the Cemberlitas Haman remained open in the evening and was only 2 blocks away from my hotel. At 8 pm, I thought this was a fantastic option - better than a show, eating dinner solo or staying in for the night. Finding the hamam was relatively easy - even though the sign is somewhat obscure and small.
Upon entering, I was a little out of my element but felt confident I was in good hands once I walked in the segregated area for females. I opted for the full shabang - having an attendant wash me with bubbles, followed by exfoliation treatment , shampoo wash and massage. I found myself lost in the experience - having no idea what to do, where to start, what to expect - but once I entered the hot room with the exotically inviting central heating stone - oolalala.

This was such a lovely experience, it needs to be shared...and I look forward to the writing the next installation.


http://www.cemberlitashamami.com.tr/

While I was in Turkey, I had the honor of meeting many distinguished physicians and experts in the field of medical tourism. I was one of three international guest speakers.

Dr. Constantinides from Greece, a key speaker, crafted a "Report-Back" on the Medical Symposium. Below is a portion of the report.

The purpose / objective of the Symposium
A fundamental aim of the Symposium was to promote awareness of Health Tourism and the potential of cities like Adana to develop into Health Tourism Destinations.
The speakers and presentation topics were chosen not only to provide facts and knowledge but to also act as motivators for the initiation of the type of concerted actions needed to further develop health tourism services and effectively promote Adana (and Turkey generally).
The organisers (by their selection of speakers and audience) additionally aimed to provide a platform for exchange of ideas and constructive interaction and collaboration between International Health Tourism Experts and Local Stakeholders.

The Program
The six speakers from within Turkey, provided a picture of the status of Health Tourism in the country – but also plans and strategies for its further development – with an emphasis on getting Adana to join the league of prominent Health Tourism Destinations.
The three Invited and Hosted speakers (from the United States of America, Jordan and Greece) provided knowledge, analysis and strategic thought, from a more global perspective.

For a full summary click on the following link.

http://www.positivetourism.com/index.php/caribbean-tourism/3536-what-can-the-caribbean-learn-from-the-growth-of-health-tourism-in-the-middle-east.html

On a personal note, I discovered our speaker group developed a sense of camaraderie that was evident as we boarded our airport shuttle at 4:30 in the morning the day after our symposium. The morning came way to early - especially since we had just said good night after our dinner ended midnight.

Health Tourism in Turkey

The city of Adana, Turkey's 4th largest city, hosted a symposium entitled, "Health Tourism, the Role and Importance of Neighboring and Middle Eastern Countries" last Saturday. The conference was organized by the Association of Improving Health Tourism and was part of a larger medical fair sponosored by the Cukurova Association of Medical Industrialists.

I was very pleased to be one of the 3 invited international guest speakers and my topic focused on the importance of thermal spa tourism. Dr. Ratib Hinnawi, a Health Tourism Consultant from Jordan spoke about Jordan's medical tourism initiatives while Dr. Constantine Constantinides, CEO of healthCare cybernatives, and a physician in Greece gave a global overview of the industry.

Medical tourism is growing at an accelerated clip and estimates suggest it will be a $100 billion global indutry in 2 years.

Welcome

Hi and welcome to my blog about global spa and wellness. I hope you find it interesting and informative.

Shortly, I will be embarking on a trip to Turkey to speak on "The Importance of Thermal Tourism in Turkey and the Middle East." I look forward to blogging about my experience here.