Medical Tourism in Mexico

The specialists of plastic surgery and dentistry are very popular in Mexico. Medical tourism patients travel to Mexico from all over the world to obtain quality medical care in dentistry and plastic surgery. Americans also move to Mexico for dental health care because the charges of dentist in America are very high as compare to the charges of Mexican dentist. Mexican dentists charge one fourth to one fifth of US dentists price. This trend of medical tourism to Mexico is very alarming for American dentists so they have spread many rumors of infections, oral cancer and poor treatments against Mexican dentists.

In Texas, it is explored that health organizations can operate on both sides of the border but physicians of south Texas argue that they cannot compete with the lower costs of Mexican dentists. Legal system of Mexico doesn’t allow any kind of sue against Mexican doctors. Medical tourists are satisfied with the quality of health services in Mexico and according to an advocacy group of health care issues 90 percent care they received in Mexico is excellent. Mexican hospitals are not popular only for dental and plastic surgery but they provide quality services for bar iatric surgery for weight loss. Lap band surgery, a popular bar iatric surgery is approved by FDA in 2001 in US is also performed by the surgeons of Mexico. The hospitals of Mexico are well equipped with latest technology and medical equipments for all medical tourism requirements.

Medical Tourism in Panama

Panama is also a popular place for medical tourism due to its tourist appeal, position and use of dollar as the official currency. The medical specialists of Panama are very popular all over the world and use latest technology and equipment to treat patients. Doctors of Panama are bilingual and can operate on the same technology and medical equipment which are used in Europe and America. The charges of health care in Panama are 50% less than the charges of US. In addition to dental implants, assisted reproduction, plastic surgery, cosmetic dentistry, cardialogy, eye surgery orthopedics and pulmonology are the popular treatments in the hospitals of Panama for people in medical tourism to this country.

The equipment and technology used in the hospitals of Panama is up-to-date and the hospitals are affiliated with international organizations such as Cleveland Clinic, Baptist Health International of Miami, Johns Hopkins International, Miami Children’s Hospital, Tulane Health Science Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Harvard Medical Faculty and Physicians at Beth Israel, The Kendall Medical Center in Florida and Deaconess Medical Center in US. The doctors of these hospitals have latest information about the diseases and medicines.

US trained physicians of Panama provide high quality medical services at reasonable prices. The techniuqes used in health care, facilities and medications are not less than USA. Panama is rich with beautiful tourism destinations such as mountains, beaches and natural places which affect medical tourists pleasantly.

Rising health care costs and longer waiting times in the western countries like United States, Canada, and UK etc. are inducing patients to seek treatment overseas. While U.S. consumers are concerned mainly with the exorbitant cost of health care, Canadians are more troubled by wait-times for certain treatments. Indeed, approximately 1 million Canadians claim to be experiencing difficulties in access to care. As for UK, it is believed that more than 50,000 people from the UK travel for treatment abroad because of high medical care costs in UK.

Medical Tourism in South Korea

South Korea has been growing as a tourist destination of choice for health and vacation because of their world class physicians, modern technology, and unique caring and compassion at great values for money at a fraction of the cost in the west. The country is home to some of the best hospitals and stand alone Specialty clinics in the world, offering world-class expertise, state-of-the-art facilities, http://www.koreahealthtour.co.kr and the warmth of hospitality. Also, some of the world’s best spa retreat resorts and tour destinations can be found in this part of the earth. Additionally, it’s not unusual to find plus accommodations, foreign language translators, and other amenities at some of the major facilities.

South Korea has made its initial foray into the lucrative market of medical tourism by launching the Council for Korea Medicine Overseas Promotion. Funded by the Government and 28 private hospitals, this organization will market medical packages to foreign patients seeking affordable health care. The Council has initiated a set of measures to promote the medical vacation industry by aiding hospitals in their marketing strategies. In this way, South Korea can generate greater overseas awareness of the country’s medical and tourism offerings. According to a Council official:

The average charge for an in-patient visit in a US hospital is dollar3,762, which is 13 times higher than in South Korea.

The average charge for outpatients in the US is dollar13,000 which is 9 times higher than in South Korea.

South Korea’s affordable health care system has seen the number of foreign patients rise from 10,000 to 13,000 in just 2 years. With all these added measures in place, South Korea is on its way to claim its share in the prosperous medical vacation business

Benefits of Medical Tourism

Health care costs are constantly on the rise in countless Western countries. In the US alone, it is already a multi-billion dollar industry that shows no sign of stopping (worldwide it is over dollar3 trillion US). But why pay exorbitant prices at home when you can travel abroad and receive the same treatment (if not better) from a fully certified medical facility for a fraction of the price?

The following are some of the benefits of medical tourism:

Affordable

For many procedures, it’s often more expensive to receive treatment at home than it is to purchase a plane ticket, book a hotel, and pay for all medical expenses out of pocket in a foreign country. This is especially true in popular medical tourism destinations such as India, Thailand, Singapore and South Korea.

No wait times

Because popular medical destinations actively recruit patients from abroad, they do everything they can to eliminate wait times, provide patients with options, and ensure optimal care.

Many Options are Available

Some countries heavily regulate (or even ban) certain elective procedures or complicated surgeries. Hip resurfacing, for example, was only recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, despite its widespread use and success rate at many popular medical tourism destinations around the world. With medical tourism, you can travel to parts of the world where hospitals specialize in the aforementioned procedures.

More personalized care

Many providers offer more personalized care–i.e., a higher physician-to-patient ratio–than is commonly available in the United States or Canada.

Enjoy the Medical Vacations

The fact of the matter is, most of us need medical treatment from time to time, and most of us plan vacations every year or so. Combine the two into an all-out medical vacation and enjoy! Recuperating after surgery on a white sand beach while sipping island drinks and receiving full-body massages.

Important Tips

Besides doing a thorough research on the procedure, hospital, surgeon and the destination country, keep the following contact information handy when you go abroad for any medical treatment:

Emergency contacts like relatives and friends

Destination embassy

Hospital

Hotel

Local surgeon / doctor

Employer

Conclusion

Depending on the location and procedure, a medical vacation can cost 50%, 30%, or even 10% of what you would pay at home. The appeal of this phenomenon is driven by cost savings as high as 90%, depending on the procedure and the country in which it is performed, and virtually no wait times. Even when you factor in air fare, hotels, travel insurance, car rentals, shopping, and dining, many medical vacations are substantially more affordable than domestic health care is. This means that those who choose medical tourism are able to utilize the services of some of the top surgeons in the world, all while enjoying exotic locales and accommodations. Patients can put the money they are saving on the procedure into turning their journey into a magnificent, world-class retreat. For millions of patients, it is the only way to get the needed or desired medical treatment, without wiping out their entire life-savings.

For more information about medical tourism visit: http://www.koreahealthtour.co.kr/eng/medical-tourism.jsp

Kerala takes pride in being one of the oldest civilizations on the face of the earth. Historians suggest that Kerala culture is a blend of numerous civilizations, varied customs, practices and beliefs as a result of interaction of Indian as well as overseas cultures. A variety of performing arts such as Koodiyattom, a type of drama or theater and UNESCO-listed human heritage art; Kathakali, a dance drama that depicts ancient epics; Kerala natanam, a popular offshoot of Kathakali; Koothu, a light-hearted comedy performance similar to modern-day stand-up comedy; Mihiniyattam, the dance of the enchantress which is a choreographed performance by women accompanied by music and vocalizations, and many more art performances are unique to Kerala.

The Kerala culture is reflected in its festivals, pilgrimages, literature, music, traditional performances, customs, practices and cuisine. Variety and uniqueness of Kerala’s culture may be experienced by being a part of its annual ten-day festival known as Onam. During Onam, a host of colorful sports, cultural programs and rituals are organized. Celebrated at the end of August or beginning of September, the festival is a complete reflection of the rich culture that Kerala boasts of.

The Kerala food is unusual which offers some of the most sumptuous tastes on earth. Keralites are gourmets with a difference. The cuisine is usually hot, spicy, aromatic and flavored. Use of coconut is an integral part of the cuisine. It is used either chopped or grated to garnish the dishes. Coconut milk or paste is used to thicken gravies and its oil is used for cooking. Rice is the staple diet. A typical lunch or dinner may consist of rice, seasonal vegetables cooked in coconut oil with different spices for flavor, dal, seafood curry and a sweet dish as dessert. Seafood is taken almost with every meal. Fish like sardines, tuna, rays, and crabs, mussels and oysters are taken with unique preparations. Apart from meals, different snacks such as banana chips, murku, shakaruperi and many types of halwa are consumed any time during the day.

Kerala Tourism offers a variety of tourism options in Kerala. From wildlife tourism to medical tourism and Pilgrimage tourism the state offers everything. The Kerala Tourism and archaeological department have taken good steps to preserve state’s archaeological remains and uphold its rich culture. With the provision of stat-of-the-art facilities by travel agencies, transport departments and hotels and resorts, thanks to Kerala Tourism, the God’s own country is more charming, more comfortable and more rewarding for that mesmerizing holiday experience.

The Malaysian tourism industry continues to grow rapidly, thanks to increasing promotional activities, growing MICE industry and rising level of personal disposable income that are fuelling growth into the country’s tourism industry. Also, being a preferred medical tourism destination and politically stable, the country has become a more profitable tourism industry.

The report provides an in-depth analysis of the present and future prospects of the Malaysian tourism industry. It focuses on different tourism parameters, like inbound & outbound tourism, expenditure by inbound & outbound tourists, accommodation & transportation facilities and medical tourism. The report will help clients to evaluate the opportunities and factors critical to the success of tourism industry in Malaysia.

Key Findings

Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia are important sources of visitors for Malaysia. Beyond ASEAN, tourist arrivals from China and India will remain an important influence throughout the forecast period (2008-2012) as the majority of Chinese tend to weigh their spending towards consumer purchases as opposed to luxury hotel accommodation.

The promotion of Education Tourism will continue to be expanded to expedite the development of Malaysia as a preferred destination for international students. The projected foreign exchange earnings from this potential source of growth are estimated at RM 900 Million by 2010.

It is expected that expenditure by international tourists in Malaysia will increase at a CAGR of 6.63% during the forecasted period.

Increasing disposable income in Malaysia will open the opportunities for both outbound and domestic tourism. It is expected that per head disposable income in the country will increase at a CAGR of 5.06% during 2008-2012.

It is expected that MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions & Exhibitions) industry will be one of the major contributors to the Malaysian tourism industry.

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 Bhalessa has a rich history. The area derived its name from the people inhibited in the area “Bhalay Loug” (The immaculate people with perfect destiny). The history of Bhalessa is much old and dates back as early as 200 B.C. and reveloves around the time when the revered Buddhist scholar Nagsena was invited to a discussion by king Mender in his palace at Sakla, some where in Kishtwar. In the discussions Nagsena replied all the questions of the king who then embraced Buddhism and became king Milinda. Nagsena recorded the discussion in “Millinda Panha” a Pali Treatise (article) on the fundamental principles of Buddhist philosophy.

 The Bhalessa was initially linked with Bhaderwah and was known as Bhaderwah Jagir and was known to be distributed into 15 tharas or administrative units. The total area of Bhaderwah Jagir (including Bhalessa etc) was 533 sq. miles which included some parts of Udhampur District. On the recommendations of Private Domain Assimilation Committee, the status of Bhadarwah Jagir ended in 1930 A.D. Consequently Bhadarwah became a tehsil of Udhampur District in 1931 and the area was reduced to 213 sq. miles only. The earliest mention of the place is traced from Rajatarangni around (1112-20 A.D.)

 After establishment of District Headquarter Doda, Bhadarwah was made a tehsil of this District including Bhalessa as a Niabet. Consequent upon reorganization of District and Tehsils, in 1981 Naibat Thathri and Niabat Bhalessa of Bhadarwah Tehsil also became full fledged Tehsils in. Tehsil Thathri and Tehsil Gandoh were carved out of Sub- Division Bhaderwah. District Doda had one Sub-District Ramban, two Sub-Divisions namely Kishtwar and Bhaderwah. But now as Ramban and Kishtwar have been upgraded as Districts, Tehsil Bhalessa has been upgraded as Sub-Division.

 Bhalessa is inhabited by Muslim majority and more than one third of the total population constitutes Hinddu minority. Bhalessa is known for its age old traditional communal harmony. The people generally dominate working class and are inhibiting the area without any political mileage. The two communities continue to live together in the same villages in relative peace. Owing to the commitment and mutual understanding of the Hindu Muslim secular heritage the nefarious designs has been wiped and local inhabitants diverted their attention towards the higher objectives. That is why Bhalessa has now emerged as a hub of higher education, the tattering educational affairs has been altered, there is a rising tide in the sphere of education in Bhalessa. The setting up of a Government Degree College at Kilhotran is another feather to its cap. Internally Bhalessa is divided into several zones which includes Khal Jugasar, Chanti, Neeli, Gandoh, Jitota, Pingal, Chilly and Basnota. It is beyond the doubt that both the communities of the area are living with amity and are competing with the people of the rest of the state.

 In addition it is known for its well-known and renowned personalities dominating each and every sector of the tate and the country. An epitome of peace and brotherhood late Gh. Rasool Azad is a key figure among them. He along with his associated fraternity, which includes, Nil Kanth Parihar, Mir Munwer Din, Mohd shafi Mattoo, Prof. Ummer Din, Munshi Ram Chand Parihar, Habib Malik and amny more, contributed a lot for the maintenance of secular heritage of Bhalessa. Besides this, the tattering educational affairs of the area was shaped by the then Director Education Ghulam Rasool Azad an eminent personality of the area who heads the educational cap of the area. Packed with outstanding achievements, Ghulam Rasool Azad left no stone unturned to give a face-lift to the education system of the area. But it was all in the early nineties due to abrupt of militancy in the state which also raised its ugly head in the Bhalessa area, the dream of Late G. R. Azad to built Bhalessa a hub of Education was struggling for its recognition. Though the communal harmony and brotherhood among the two communities remained unaffected yet it marked its great influence in the education sector of the area which suffered a lot as almost all the School buildings, Govt. establishments etc. were raised to ashes by the then revolutionars. Then it was only when some youths led by Mr. Mohd. Ayoub Zargar got together to think of ways in which they could play a role in the development of education in hilly terrain of Bhalessa Doda of J&K state. These young people shared the belief that education will play a significant role in maintaining the old age communal harmony in the area in addition will be an effective catalyst for social and economic change in the area. Thus, an organization with the status of an NGO was formulated with the name of Educational, Environmental, Social, Sports and cultural Society with the aim to promote the educational standard of the area besides strengthening the communal hormony. The same was then registered with the Registrar of the Societies, under Registration act VI of 1998 (1941 A.D.) and thanks to this organization the area flourished a lot in almost all walks of life and still this NGO is playing a key role in the development of the area.

 Geographically Bhalessa is one of the most remote and inaccessible parts of Distt. Doda.  Expanding its boundaries with Kishtwar, Thathri, Bhaderwah and also exchanges the border with Chamba in Himachal Pradesh. Bhalessa is sprawling over a vast area, topographically mountainous and is vegetated by dense forests. The area of the district under forest cover is also very vast.  Bhalessa being hilly one, suffers adequately in respect of infrastructure facilities namely power, trade and commerce, communication as well as availability of modern skills. The scenario of non agriculture sector is also weak. Tourism sector in this area has a lot of potential but is unexplored and abandoned.
The meadows like Kanthi, Soin Bhagar, Roharhi, Dagan, Bal Padri, etc. of the area are extremely beautiful and have tremendous tourism potential. All the area is mountainous, and has umpteen numbers of trekking routes which pass through places with unbelievable captivating scenic beauty. The dense Forest cover all around these meadows and enroute adds to their scenic beauty.

  Hitherto no person in the echelons of power had ever thought of development of this remote and backward area of the state. Forget the other sectors in the area, while travelling from Thathri to Gandoh by road, one can imagine how government had been working for the upliftment of the people of the area. Full of awe wannabe mountains and having a huge potential of tourism industry here. The narrow road passed all its way through slopes of towering hills thronging up a considerable amount of cloud and dust. However, it is worthwhile to mention here that the road widening though only 30 Km from Thathri to Gandoh, on this track was a difficult and finance consuming that no one could have bothered to think of its widening before that. Azad received accolades for this high heeded task. Now this road is in the process of up gradation which when completed, will make road journey from Thathri to Gandoh shorter and more convenient. 

 One more area which is yet to be explored in this district is its tourism potential. Although a number of tourism development authorities have been created to explore the hidden treasures of the state and also that of erstwhile district Doda, yet Bhalessa area remain unnoticed so far. The meadows of the area are god gifted landscapes full of tourism potential. There are vast natural meadows surrounded by the lush green Deodars and Kails. Beauty of the place is no way less then Gulmarg which has an international recognition. The area has been gifted by narrow rivers with potential for power sector. The old mosque and a temple on the sides and numerous hot and cold springs in and around the slopes of the mountains add in the scene of its beauty. Every one from erstwhile Doda District wants to visit this enthralling place at least once. School children from far off places choose these places for their excursions and annual picnics. Though it takes hardly few hours to track these charming places to shed ones anxieties and boreness their, but all these have remained a dream for the trekkers and tourists, as the area is a neglected gift of nature, as there is no infrastructure and residential quarters etc in and around the site for tourists to stay in and rest.

 As the former CM, Azad belongs to the Bhalessa area and was well aware of the topography of this extremely beautiful valley with tremendous tourism potential. He was of the view that a separate development authority for the areas would help in developing the area and thus attracting more tourists. As a first measure the boost the tourism in the area Tourism Development Authority in Bhaderwah was established and then the concrete measures had to be carriedf for constructing motorable roads connecting Bhalessa with Bhaderwah and subsequently, tourist huts and other facilities would be raised there. Several projects thus have been taken by the, then Azad led Govt., like Kahara Jai Road approved with sum of Rs. 20.78 crore under the Central Road Fund (CRF) Scheme. This road will connect village Kahara in Bhalessa area with Jai in Bhaderwah passing through the villages of Malanu, Gugara, Bittola, Kencha, Bagdair, Halaran, Budhi, Joura and Shamdalian before entering the picturesque meadows of Jai in Bhaderwah thus opening up avenues of development for people of all these villages. Besides this Gondoh- Chinta road is also taken which will provide an alternative link with Bhaderwah. Not stoping here, the Gowari- Khaljugasar road was taken for the execution and this road will just lead to the lap of the beautiful meadows of Dagan, Jashoo, Ruhari, Beghar and many more which then will be a single step to cross.

 The place is now a comfortable base for trekkers and mountaineers, on their way to the Great Himalayas. Bus services from all major towns such as Kishtwar, Doda, Bhaderwah and Jammu connect Bhalessa with the rest of the state. Tiny patches of wheat and mustard, like patchwork quilts, straddled the edge of the stream that rushed down from the snow-capped peaks in the distance with an irrepressible passion to merge into the Chenab beyond. Weather-beaten Gujjer and Bakkarwal men, with their hennaed beards and loosely wound turbans,are often seen to led flocks of hairy mountain buffalos, sheeps and goats which add to the beauty of the amiable meadows. Their children and womenfolk followed after them, driving mules laden with pots, pans and bedding their mobile homes.

 And as the tourism sector of this area remained unexplored and abandoned only because of lackadaisical attitude of different successive governments in the past. And now as the new coalition government headed by chief minister Omar Abdullah is ruling the state after change of guard, people of the area expect that they will not have to wait for the development and the completion of on going projects especially roads in the area for a number of years more or so. The development of area in the road sector will revolutionize the adventure tourism in this area. Only the bold efforts and concrete actions are required in this direction to look after the scenic beauties to rejuvenate the social fabric and tourism industry of the area in particular and hence of the state in general.

Prof. (Dr.) Ashiq Hussain  R/O Vill. Kakoo, Teh. Gandoh (Bhalessa), Distt. Doda (J & K) – 182203 C/O Deptt. of Chemistry, Govt Degree College Kishtwar,                                             Teh. & Distt. Kishtwar, J & K.

Email. drashiqhussain@rediffmail.com

drashiqhussain@indiatimes.com

Bhalessa has a rich history. The area derived its name from the people inhibited in the area “Bhalay Loug” (The immaculate people with perfect destiny). The history of Bhalessa is much old and dates back as early as 200 B.C. and reveloves around the time when the revered Buddhist scholar Nagsena was invited to a discussion by king Mender in his palace at Sakla, some where in Kishtwar. In the discussions Nagsena replied all the questions of the king who then embraced Buddhism and became king Milinda. Nagsena recorded the discussion in “Millinda Panha” a Pali Treatise (article) on the fundamental principles of Buddhist philosophy.

The Bhalessa was initially linked with Bhaderwah and was known as Bhaderwah Jagir and was known to be distributed into 15 tharas or administrative units. The total area of Bhaderwah Jagir (including Bhalessa etc) was 533 sq. miles which included some parts of Udhampur District. On the recommendations of Private Domain Assimilation Committee, the status of Bhadarwah Jagir ended in 1930 A.D. Consequently Bhadarwah became a tehsil of Udhampur District in 1931 and the area was reduced to 213 sq. miles only. The earliest mention of the place is traced from Rajatarangni around (1112-20 A.D.)

After establishment of District Headquarter Doda, Bhadarwah was made a tehsil of this District including Bhalessa as a Niabet. Consequent upon reorganization of District and Tehsils, in 1981 Naibat Thathri and Niabat Bhalessa of Bhadarwah Tehsil also became full fledged Tehsils in. Tehsil Thathri and Tehsil Gandoh were carved out of Sub- Division Bhaderwah. District Doda had one Sub-District Ramban, two Sub-Divisions namely Kishtwar and Bhaderwah. But now as Ramban and Kishtwar have been upgraded as Districts, Tehsil Bhalessa has been upgraded as Sub-Division.

Bhalessa is inhabited by Muslim majority and more than one third of the total population constitutes Hinddu minority. Bhalessa is known for its age old traditional communal harmony. The people generally dominate working class and are inhibiting the area without any political mileage. The two communities continue to live together in the same villages in relative peace. Owing to the commitment and mutual understanding of the Hindu Muslim secular heritage the nefarious designs has been wiped and local inhabitants diverted their attention towards the higher objectives. That is why Bhalessa has now emerged as a hub of higher education, the tattering educational affairs has been altered, there is a rising tide in the sphere of education in Bhalessa. The setting up of a Government Degree College at Kilhotran is another feather to its cap. Internally Bhalessa is divided into several zones which includes Khal Jugasar, Chanti, Neeli, Gandoh, Jitota, Pingal, Chilly and Basnota. It is beyond the doubt that both the communities of the area are living with amity and are competing with the people of the rest of the state.In addition it is known for its well-known and renowned personalities dominating each and every sector of the state and the country. An epitome of peace and brotherhood late Gh. Rasool Azad is a key figure among them. He along with his associated fraternity, which includes, Nil Kanth Parihar, Ab. Aziz Butt, Mir Munwer Din, Mohd shafi Mattoo, Prof. Ummer Din, Munshi Ram Chand Parihar, Habib Malik and many more, contributed a lot for the maintenance of secular heritage of Bhalessa. Besides this, the tattering educational affairs of the area was shaped by the then Director Education Ghulam Rasool Azad an eminent personality of the area who heads the educational cap of the area. Packed with outstanding achievements, Ghulam Rasool Azad left no stone unturned to give a face-lift to the education system of the area. But it was all in the early nineties due to abrupt of militancy in the state which also raised its ugly head in the Bhalessa area, the dream of Late G. R. Azad to built Bhalessa a hub of Education was struggling for its recognition. Though the communal harmony and brotherhood among the two communities remained unaffected yet it marked its great influence in the education sector of the area which suffered a lot as almost all the School buildings, Govt. establishments etc. were raised to ashes by the then revolutionars. Then it was only when some youths led by Mr. Mohd. Ayoub Zargar got together to think of ways in which they could play a role in the development of education in hilly terrain of Bhalessa Doda of J&K state. These young people shared the belief that education will play a significant role in maintaining the old age communal harmony in the area in addition will be an effective catalyst for social and economic change in the area. Thus, an organization with the status of an NGO was formulated with the name of Educational, Environmental, Social, Sports and cultural Society with the aim to promote the educational standard of the area besides strengthening the communal hormony. The same was then registered with the Registrar of the Societies, under Registration act VI of 1998 (1941 A.D.) and thanks to this organization the area flourished a lot in almost all walks of life and still this NGO is playing a key role in the development of the area.

Geographically Bhalessa is one of the most remote and inaccessible parts of Distt. Doda.  Expanding its boundaries with Kishtwar, Thathri, Bhaderwah and also exchanges the border with Chamba in Himachal Pradesh. Bhalessa is sprawling over a vast area, topographically mountainous and is vegetated by dense forests. The area of the district under forest cover is also very vast.  Bhalessa being hilly one, suffers adequately in respect of infrastructure facilities namely power, trade and commerce, communication as well as availability of modern skills. The scenario of non agriculture sector is also weak. Tourism sector in this area has a lot of potential but is unexplored and abandoned.

The meadows like Kanthi, Soin Bhagar, Roharhi, Dagan, Bal Padri, etc. of the area are extremely beautiful and have tremendous tourism potential. All the area is mountainous, and has umpteen numbers of trekking routes which pass through places with unbelievable captivating scenic beauty. The dense Forest cover all around these meadows and enroute adds to their scenic beauty. Hitherto no person in the echelons of power had ever thought of development of this remote and backward area of the state. Forget the other sectors in the area, while traveling from Thathri to Gandoh by road, one can imagine how government had been working for the upliftment of the people of the area. Full of awe wannabe mountains and having a huge potential of tourism industry here. The narrow road passed all its way through slopes of towering hills thronging up a considerable amount of cloud and dust. However, it is worthwhile to mention here that the road widening though only 30 Km from Thathri to Gandoh, on this track was a difficult and finance consuming that no one could have bothered to think of its widening before that. Azad received accolades for this high heeded task. Now this road is in the process of up gradation which when completed, will make road journey from Thathri to Gandoh shorter and more convenient. 

One more sector which is yet to be explored in this district is its tourism potential. Although a number of tourism development authorities have been created to explore the hidden treasures of the state and also that of erstwhile district Doda, yet Bhalessa area remain unnoticed so far. The meadows of the area are god gifted landscapes full of tourism potential. There are vast natural meadows surrounded by the lush green Deodars and Kails. Beauty of the place is no way less then Gulmarg which has an international recognition. The area has been gifted by narrow rivers with potential for power sector. The old mosque and a temple on the sides and numerous hot and cold springs in and around the slopes of the mountains add in the scene of its beauty. Every one from erstwhile Doda District wants to visit this enthralling place at least once. School children from far off places choose these places for their excursions and annual picnics. Though it takes hardly few hours to track these charming places to shed ones anxieties and boreness their, but all these have remained a dream for the trekkers and tourists, as the area is a neglected gift of nature, as there is no infrastructure and residential quarters etc in and around the site for tourists to stay in and rest.

As the former CM, Azad belongs to the Bhalessa area and was well aware of the topography of this extremely beautiful valley with tremendous tourism potential. He was of the view that a separate development authority for the areas would help in developing the area and thus attracting more tourists. As a first measure the boost the tourism in the area Tourism Development Authority in Bhaderwah was established and then the concrete measures had to be carriedf for constructing motorable roads connecting Bhalessa with Bhaderwah and subsequently, tourist huts and other facilities would be raised there. Several projects thus have been taken by the, then Azad led Govt., like Kahara Jai Road approved with sum of Rs. 20.78 crore under the Central Road Fund (CRF) Scheme. This road will connect village Kahara in Bhalessa area with Jai in Bhaderwah passing through the villages of Malanu, Gugara, Bittola, Kencha, Bagdair, Halaran, Budhi, Joura and Shamdalian before entering the picturesque meadows of Jai in Bhaderwah thus opening up avenues of development for people of all these villages. Besides this Gondoh- Chinta road is also taken which will provide an alternative link with Bhaderwah. Not stoping here, the Gowari- Khaljugasar road was taken for the execution and this road will just lead to the lap of the beautiful meadows of Dagan, Jashoo, Ruhari, Beghar and many more which then will be a single step to cross.The place is now a comfortable base for trekkers and mountaineers, on their way to the Great Himalayas. Bus services from all major towns such as Kishtwar, Doda, Bhaderwah and Jammu connect Bhalessa with the rest of the state. Tiny patches of wheat and mustard, like patchwork quilts, straddled the edge of the stream that rushed down from the snow-capped peaks in the distance with an irrepressible passion to merge into the Chenab beyond. Weather-beaten Gujjer and Bakkarwal men, with their hennaed beards and loosely wound turbans,are often seen to led flocks of hairy mountain buffalos, sheeps and goats which add to the beauty of the amiable meadows. Their children and womenfolk followed after them, driving mules laden with pots, pans and bedding their mobile homes.

And as the tourism sector of this area remained unexplored and abandoned only because of lackadaisical attitude of different successive governments in the past. And now as the new coalition government headed by chief minister Omar Abdullah is ruling the state after change of guard, people of the area expect that they will not have to wait for the development and the completion of on going projects especially roads in the area for a number of years more or so. The development of area in the road sector will revolutionize the adventure tourism in this area. Only the bold efforts and concrete actions are required in this direction to look after the scenic beauties to rejuvenate the social fabric and tourism industry of the area in particular and hence of the state in general.

Prof. (Dr.) Ashiq Hussain

R/O Vill. Kakoo, Teh. Gandoh (Bhalessa),

Distt. Doda (J & K) – 182203

 C/O Deptt. Of Chemistry,

Govt Degree College Kishtwar

Teh. & Distt. Kishtwar, J & K.

 Email. drashiqhussain@rediffmail.com

Medical tourism, as the name itself suggests, is a combination of medical services with tourism. In other words, it’s tourism with a purpose. The practice of visiting new places in search of favorable climate or on just being advised by a doctor to go ‘on a change’ is not new. Medical tourism is just an evolved form of this age old habit of humanity.

The primary reason behind its surging popularity is better healthcare services at an affordable budget. When one’s health is one’s concern, it is natural to look for the best treatment options within one’s budget. Countries such as India, Malaysia and Dubai are fast coming to the forefront as provider of world-class healthcare facilities. These include a wide array of highly skilled healthcare professionals, trained in various specialized disciplines, state-of-the-art equipment and modern amenities, impeccable service and personal attention to every need of the patient, and all these at a cost that’s surprisingly affordable.

Let’s face it, medical services in the west are expensive by most standards. Most people in need of specialized healthcare services feel daunted by the high cost associated with them. Countries such as US, Canada or some European nations, offer the same high standard healthcare facilities as India, Malaysia or Dubai, at a cost that’s substantially greater. Frankly, not everybody can afford the high cost associated with healthcare services in his or her own country.

All this naturally necessitates the need to look for similar healthcare services elsewhere, where the cost is significantly lower. Healthcare tourism makes it possible to save up to 80% (as compared to US/UK) on medical costs by opting for countries like India. Healthcare tourism in India is fast gaining in popularity because of this simple reason.

Medical tourism also gives you other advantages such as reduced waiting periods for your treatment. If there is a critical treatment involved, or an operation that needs to be done quickly, you can initiate the process almost immediately after contacting the healthcare professionals in these countries. Most hospitals or medical establishments in the US or UK have lengthy waiting lists and necessitate wait for a substantially longer period of time.

Medical tourism does not mean that you have to compromise on anything just because you are not in your own country. Smart and well-informed professionals, speaking fluent English and attending to every detail with meticulous attention, only add to the overall experience. You can rest assured knowing that the task of caring for your health is in good, able hands.

In the final analysis, the reasons that contribute to the ever increasing popularity of medical tourism are not difficult to understand. Exorbitant cost of healthcare and medical facilities in advanced countries, ease and affordability of international travel, favorable currency exchange rates in the global economy, rapidly improving technology and high standards of medical care in the developing countries – all of these have contributed to the rapid development of medical tourism.

The main industry sectors being destinations, cruises, tour operators, airlines, hotel and resorts, and car hire. All rely on and network with the other business sectors however possess their own tourism training requirements. This article gives a concise account of each industry sector with an overview of helping candidates to stand out in the tourism industry.

The term destination refers to a specific location where people travel on leisure visits. It is ultra-competitive with effectively every destination competing with every other, especially when it comes to neighbouring destinations. Tourism training is essential in this industry sector, as tour operators must know all the benefits of visiting a destination and any health, safety or security issues that might be associated with a set destination.

Cruises are one of the most elitist and affluent industry sectors. It offers positions ranging from cabin crew to entertainment and demands the highest standards of customer service. When employed on the ships there is stringent protocol to follow whilst at sea or docking for a day trip. Each operator has their own systems and procedures and specific tourism training can be obtained for individual operators.

Tour operators arrange package deals to various destinations. This involves coordinating all of the other industry sectors and selling this information to clients. An excellent overall industry knowledge is required and tourism training provides this, however top professionals monitor trade publications and industry bodies for updates in legislation. Tourism training and qualifications are essential for tour operators as standards of customer service are extremely high.

All airlines are part of the IAFA and airline operators adhere to their tourism training regulations. With the current security climate it is essential that anyone working for an airline or airport in any capacity has a clearly referenceable history. Tourism training is essential when working for an airline as some destination knowledge is required and excellent customer service skills are required. A second language will also put you ahead of the competitions, even at a basic level.

One of the largest employment sectors is that of hotel and resorts. This sometimes this gets confused with destinations, however there can potentially be thousands of hotels and resorts in any one destination. Tourism training is paramount in this sector as you are required to advise guests on the local attractions and services. It involves interpersonal skills and can provide wonderful travel opportunities to the right candidate.

The car hire industry is not generally associated with much of the glamour that other industry sectors are, however there are fantastic benefits that come with the work. Tourism training is important as you are required to be knowledgeable about the driving legislation of many different destinations. It involves dealing with customers and as with most other tourism industry sectors, if you are multi-lingual you have a real head start.

Medical tourism is commonly described as the practice of obtaining medical services in a foreign destination. Although this niche market is now being capitalized on and becoming better known, the practice of traveling abroad for services is not new.

Switzerland, in particular, has long since been attracting the rich and famous to its beautiful surroundings, for innovative procedures and a relaxing vacation. There are many sources that site Switzerland as the pioneer of medical tourism.

Medical tourism is not just for the rich and famous anymore, and Switzerland is not the only destination. About ten years ago, countries in Asia realized that the opportunity exists to fill the unmet needs of millions worldwide.

For nearly a decade, the concept of medical tourism has been misunderstood and received bad media coverage in developed countries. Today not only has that trend reversed, but medical tourism is being embraced as a viable option for people in need of affordable medical care. Well known newspapers and television networks are doing pieces medical tourism as a whole and are spotlighting individuals who have taken advantage of the cost saving option.

What is driving the expansion of the medical tourism industry? Countries such as India have been quick to recognize that the Western world is not providing timely medical care to its citizens. In both the United States and Canada, it is not uncommon to wait for more than 4 months to be seen after a referral is made. Then, there is more waiting time while tests are scheduled. Additional time passes waiting for the test results. If the result is that there is a need for a procedure, it could be several more weeks before surgery is scheduled. Non emergency medical attention may be extended for up to two years. There is basically no wait time in foreign countries such as India and Thailand.

Another driving force is the outrageous and ever rising costs of medical insurance. It is not uncommon for a family to be quoted $1,000 or more for monthly insurance premiums, which only covers a portion of the bill, AFTER the $5,000 annual deductible is met! That equates to $17,000 in out of pocket payments before the insurance coverage kicks in. The average worker cannot afford $17,000 and in many instances, that figure far supercedes the annual income! In the United States, there are 43.3 million uninsured people.

What happens then, to the average person who is uninsured and in need of a heart bypass? If not aware of the option of medical tourism, the uninsured worker will face the choice of going without the surgery, or of withdrawing his life savings, or taking out a loan in order to pay for the surgery.

The same worker can obtain the surgery in another country for $10,000 vs. $70,000 in the US. He can get a knee replacement for $6,000 vs. $50,000! Although still a large amount of money, it is much more attainable abroad than in the home country.

Those in the medical tourism industry recognize that time is a precious commodity. Another aspect to the trends of medical tourism is to market to those who have little vacation or sick leave available to them. Multitasking is not new in the business world, and countries desiring to attract the medical tourist are appealing to those who would like to have an exotic and affordable vacation, but may feel they need to forgo it, in light of the upcoming surgery in the spring. Many countries are marketing their accredited, resort type facilities, and the amenities of the surrounding countryside to those in need of medical services.

We are truly living in a global medical community that knows no borders. With the Internet readily at the fingertips of anyone desiring to use it, information about various facilities, services, and destinations can be searched out. An emerging trend is for the facility to offer “inclusive” packages. That is right! You and a companion can now surf the internet and find an exotic location to have your serious surgeries, or one of a more cosmetic nature. On site travel agents are standing by, offering a package that includes discounted airfare, ground transportation, all meals and accommodations in a resort type facility, with internationally trained doctors and medical staff who will be extremely attentive before, during and after your procedure. The price will undoubtedly be about 1/6 of the cost of just the medical procedure in a developed country.

The bottom line is that medical tourism is here to stay. India has a goal of becoming the number one destination in the world. Other countries are setting similar goals. As they begin to compete with each other, vying for our business, services and options are increasing while the costs remain low. Most countries are seeing a growth of 20-30% in medical tourism, as medical services in the Western countries are being outsourced.

One of the most beautiful locations around the globe which provides you wonderful relaxation opportunities and is sure to enthral you with its beauty and culture is Goa . One of India ’s small states, Goa tourism is a unique opportunity to see the most beautiful places you have ever seen and experienced in your life. If you are someone who loves to travel to different parts of the world, you should definitely add this location to your ever-increasing list of holiday destinations. Tourists from different countries visit Goa each year in for an exciting weekend and an experience they’d never forget in their lifetime.

Here’s what Goa has to offer you and make your Goa tourism an experience of your lifetime:

- Beautiful and vast beaches
– Unique traditions and cultures
– Rich history
– Excellent tourist attractions

Goa is a very tiny but stunningly beautiful land endowed with an amazing natural beauty and splendid beaches. It is complimented by remarkable churches and temples having amazing forms of architecture. Festivals of Goa are extremely entertaining and full of life and so are the people of Goa who are very hospitable and very friend. All these great characteristics of the state make Goa tourism the perfect plan for the holidays. The beauty of Goa captivates the tourists and charm them with its attractiveness. When you give tourism in Goa a try, you’ll love yourself for it.

The historical monuments residing at Goa are the reminders of the Portuguese who stayed in India for a long time. Since their departure, Goa tourism has served tourists with a lot of travel options, entertainment opportunities and interesting activities. Choosing the best hotel or a good guesthouse will add to your enjoyment even more. The hotel industry in Goa is one of the best in the world and you’ll find yourself appreciating and loving the luxury and quality of services you get in a good hotel in Goa . Many tourists take a step further and buy a property in Goa, so that they don’t have to keep booking hotel rooms or apartments whenever they travel to Goa . However you take it, get ready for an experience of a lifetime.

Searching for a hotel or guesthouse is made easy when you either go through the brochures that contain all the information regarding hotel accommodations, tourist attractions and other information about Goa . Another great source is a travel agency where you can even book your flights. However, the best and the most convenience source is internet.

Goa tourism provides the travel and tourism experience of a lifetime. Indian Discovery is completed only when you travel and experience the beauty and richness of Goa .

Source: Indian Discovery Goa tourism cell.

Tags: Goa Tourism, Indian Discovery, Indiandiscovery.com, tourism in Goa, hotels in Goa , India Tourism