The Prime Minister said the establishment of the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) was also vital to bring together the synergistic efforts of significant players in the Malaysian healthcare travel industry, both in government and private sector, to galvanise our collective efforts to drive growth of this industry to a higher level.
Najib said MHTC was tasked with the responsibility to formulate strategic plans for promotion of healthcare travel services and to spearhead the promotional activities for the Malaysian healthcare travel industry.
"MHTC will also provide a focal point for industry players to collaborate and resolve issues that may hamper the development of the industry as well as be the focal point for enquiries on healthcare travel," he said.
Najib also announced that an Advisory Committee had been appointed to assist the government to steer and set direction for the healthcare travel industry, where Liow and Nor Mohamed would co-chair the committee.
He said the members of the Advisory Committee comprised representatives from the government and private sector organisations and individuals were selected on the basis of their capabilities in contributing to the growth of the industry.
-- MORE
NAJIB-HEALTH 4 KUALA LUMPUR
"I believe that our ability to develop a world-class healthcare industry in the country will also contribute to reversing the serious brain drain of Malaysian medical professionals. I realise that, being professionals, the opportunity for professional development can be stronger than monetary incentives.
"I call on the industry to collaborate not only amongst yourselves but actively seek collaboration with renowned healthcare institution abroad to achieve this goal. This will not only help us to have access to greater skills and knowledge but also help us gain a presence in the evolving global healthcare networks," he said.
The Prime Minister said the participation of well known foreign healthcare providers or companies could help Malaysia to develop and promote highly specialised medical services as part of our ambition to become the gateway for the Asia Pacific healthcare market for foreign healthcare players.
He said while healthcare might be deemed a sensitive sector in some countries, partial opening and carefully crafted liberalisation policy would benefit the healthcare industry in terms of quality and availability of wider range of services and this would require extensive research by health policy makers.
"We must also ensure that increased arrivals of foreign patients do not compromise the services rendered to local patients. While the government is investing more in expanding our public healthcare system, the private sector should undertake corporate social responsibility initiatives to provide services for the needy in the country," he added.
-- MORE
NAJIB-HEALTH 5 (LAST) KUALA LUMPUR
Meanwhile, Liow in his speech, said his ministry had identified a group of 35 reputable hospitals in promoting healthcare travel or health tourism.
Among the criteria for the selection of hospitals in this group, he said the hospital must be a member of the Association of Private Hospitals of Malaysia and have Malaysian Society for Quality in Health, ISO or other international accreditation.
Besides that, the hospital offered specialities or some sub-specialities, provided for a minimum of 50 beds and must have its own webpage, he said.
In 2008, Liow said about 375,000 healthcare travelers visited Malaysia's promoted hospitals, bringing in a revenue of RM299 million from this activity.
"This year, the economic slowdown has somewhat affected our performance. During the first half this year, the promoted hospitals recorded 165,095 foreign patients, with revenue of RM142.3 million.
"Compared to the first half of 2008, there is a reduction of 13 percent in foreign patients and a two percent reduction in revenue. But in terms of revenue per patient, we see a growth of 12 percent from RM769 to RM862 per patient.
"The challenge from here on is for us to return to positive growth as the global economy improves and to further increase the revenue per patient figure. This can be achieved by our private hospitals becoming reputable providers of high quality healthcare," he said.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Holiday Travel Rises as Holiday Nears
BECKLEY -- Millions hit the road for their holiday destinations, packing the roads and crowding the airports.
AAA predicted the largest travel increase for any major holiday in 2009.
AAA forecasts 87.7 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the Christmas holiday, an increase of 3.8 percent. They are calling this season's growth the largest year-over-year percentage increase since the 2003 year-end holiday. On average, motorists across the country are expected to see gas prices about four cents less than a month ago, but 93 cents more than last year at this time, according to AAA. They estimate nearly 78 million Americans, 88 percent of holiday travelers, will travel by car; 4 million to 5 percent, by plane.
"Christmas is falling at the end of the week so people are taking longer weekends. And they have a longer time to travel," said AAA District Office Supervisor Crissy Gray.
While car and air travel are up, AAA said bus and train travel are down. Nearly six million Americans traveled by train or bus, an overall decrease of 3.1 percent from a year ago. AAA reported that holiday travelers are in it for the long haul. They stated that most folks hiked nearly 800 miles, round-trip, from home.
AAA predicted the largest travel increase for any major holiday in 2009.
AAA forecasts 87.7 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the Christmas holiday, an increase of 3.8 percent. They are calling this season's growth the largest year-over-year percentage increase since the 2003 year-end holiday. On average, motorists across the country are expected to see gas prices about four cents less than a month ago, but 93 cents more than last year at this time, according to AAA. They estimate nearly 78 million Americans, 88 percent of holiday travelers, will travel by car; 4 million to 5 percent, by plane.
"Christmas is falling at the end of the week so people are taking longer weekends. And they have a longer time to travel," said AAA District Office Supervisor Crissy Gray.
While car and air travel are up, AAA said bus and train travel are down. Nearly six million Americans traveled by train or bus, an overall decrease of 3.1 percent from a year ago. AAA reported that holiday travelers are in it for the long haul. They stated that most folks hiked nearly 800 miles, round-trip, from home.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
2009’s Top 10 Travel Destinations?
Thanks to Amateur Traveler I was recently pointed to Yahoo!’s Top 10 Destinations of 2009. I always wonder about parameters for lists like these, because in this case, all but one destinations are located in North America — I’m going to go out on a limb here and assume data for this list was collected from North American users! Anyways, here’s the list of 2009’s Top Travel Destinations, based on user searches on Yahoo!Travel:
Eiffel Tower, Paris France: 2009’s Top 10 Travel Destinations amalaysianabroad.today.com
Eiffel Tower by jnichols
10. Paris, France
Ah, gay paree. I’ve been here once or twice, with only fleeting memories in my head, because I was really young then. While taking French classes at Chicago’s Alliance Française, there were lots of exercises that involved the streets and sights of Paris: one day, I’ll return for a proper touristy visit!! If nothing else, I’d like to see the Mona Lisa “live”. I’d need to brush-up on my French — again!
9. Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
The only time I’ve set foot on any Hawaiian island was on my first ever trip to the USA: the long (and delayed) flight had stopovers in Narita and Honolulu before arriving in Los Angeles. Didn’t set foot outside the airport, of course. I’m in no hurry to visit, but I’m sure I’ll end up here one day; after all, I would like to be able to say I’ve visited all 50 US states (and its territories!).
8. Orlando, Florida, USA
I have yet to find my way to Florida, let alone Orlando, home of Walt Disney World, Universal Studios Escape, Sea World and who knows how many other themed attractions, which aren’t really my thing.
7. San Francisco, California, USA
Visited San Francisco for a few days in 1999, and totally fell in love. I couldn’t tell you specifically what did it for me, but I’d love to go back and explore the place for real. It’s one of the most expensive places to live, tho, so I wouldn’t try to move there, just visit.
Statue of Liberty, New York: 2009’s Top 10 Travel Destinations amalaysianabroad.today.com
Statue of Liberty by bunnygirl
6. New York City, New York, USA
I’ve visited NYC at least twice that I can remember, both times pre-9/11. The first was during Thanksgiving 1991, where I caught a part of the Macy’s parade without knowing how this was the thing to see if in NYC on Thanksgiving, LoL!
5. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
I admit, I have yet to visit our neighbor to the South. Located at the southernmost tip of the Baja Peninsula, Cabo San Lucas earned the reputation for a place to catch El Marlin Azul, and seems to have become more like an enclave of the US than part of Mexico, I hear. Meh, I think I’ll pass.
4. San Diego, California, USA
The second biggest city in California, it’s also popular due to its proximity to Tijuana, Mexico, so visitors can essentially enjoy the arts and culture of two very different cities in the same trip.
3. Cancun, Mexico
I’ve only ever heard Cancun mentioned in conjunction with Spring Break, frankly. It doesn’t sound like a place I’d enjoy. Perhaps the rest of the Yucatán, yes; Cancun, no.
2. Miami, Florida, USA
I’ve enjoyed glimpses of Miami life from reading Dexter and occasionally watching CSI:Miami: the infusion of Cuban and other Hispanic culture has resulted in vibrant nightlife, music, food, etc; I’d be interested in experiencing it “live”!
1. Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
This was one of the destinations of my family’s Grand Canyon tour in the early ’90s: the main thing I remember is the obscene waste of water used in fountains in front of all those grand hotels in the middle of the desert. I think I’ll stick to watching CSI than going out of my way to visit again.
Eiffel Tower, Paris France: 2009’s Top 10 Travel Destinations amalaysianabroad.today.com
Eiffel Tower by jnichols
10. Paris, France
Ah, gay paree. I’ve been here once or twice, with only fleeting memories in my head, because I was really young then. While taking French classes at Chicago’s Alliance Française, there were lots of exercises that involved the streets and sights of Paris: one day, I’ll return for a proper touristy visit!! If nothing else, I’d like to see the Mona Lisa “live”. I’d need to brush-up on my French — again!
9. Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
The only time I’ve set foot on any Hawaiian island was on my first ever trip to the USA: the long (and delayed) flight had stopovers in Narita and Honolulu before arriving in Los Angeles. Didn’t set foot outside the airport, of course. I’m in no hurry to visit, but I’m sure I’ll end up here one day; after all, I would like to be able to say I’ve visited all 50 US states (and its territories!).
8. Orlando, Florida, USA
I have yet to find my way to Florida, let alone Orlando, home of Walt Disney World, Universal Studios Escape, Sea World and who knows how many other themed attractions, which aren’t really my thing.
7. San Francisco, California, USA
Visited San Francisco for a few days in 1999, and totally fell in love. I couldn’t tell you specifically what did it for me, but I’d love to go back and explore the place for real. It’s one of the most expensive places to live, tho, so I wouldn’t try to move there, just visit.
Statue of Liberty, New York: 2009’s Top 10 Travel Destinations amalaysianabroad.today.com
Statue of Liberty by bunnygirl
6. New York City, New York, USA
I’ve visited NYC at least twice that I can remember, both times pre-9/11. The first was during Thanksgiving 1991, where I caught a part of the Macy’s parade without knowing how this was the thing to see if in NYC on Thanksgiving, LoL!
5. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
I admit, I have yet to visit our neighbor to the South. Located at the southernmost tip of the Baja Peninsula, Cabo San Lucas earned the reputation for a place to catch El Marlin Azul, and seems to have become more like an enclave of the US than part of Mexico, I hear. Meh, I think I’ll pass.
4. San Diego, California, USA
The second biggest city in California, it’s also popular due to its proximity to Tijuana, Mexico, so visitors can essentially enjoy the arts and culture of two very different cities in the same trip.
3. Cancun, Mexico
I’ve only ever heard Cancun mentioned in conjunction with Spring Break, frankly. It doesn’t sound like a place I’d enjoy. Perhaps the rest of the Yucatán, yes; Cancun, no.
2. Miami, Florida, USA
I’ve enjoyed glimpses of Miami life from reading Dexter and occasionally watching CSI:Miami: the infusion of Cuban and other Hispanic culture has resulted in vibrant nightlife, music, food, etc; I’d be interested in experiencing it “live”!
1. Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
This was one of the destinations of my family’s Grand Canyon tour in the early ’90s: the main thing I remember is the obscene waste of water used in fountains in front of all those grand hotels in the middle of the desert. I think I’ll stick to watching CSI than going out of my way to visit again.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
More people are travelling by air
PETALING JAYA: A rebound in passenger air travel including premium travel in many markets globally is evident but airlines are not likely to rush to add capacity as uncertainties over the sustainability of the global economic recovery and worries of the Influenza A (H1N1) pandemic still looms.
Traditionally, it took about six months for airlines to recover from the bottom and if the second quarter were any benchmark, the recovery should be fast, said an expert. But historically, the fourth quarter is a peak period.
“The signs are there and some airlines are seeing some encouraging forward bookings but these are still early days to cheer over a recovery as airlines are still operating in a tough environment,” said an industry expert.
The region’s major airlines – Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Malaysia Airlines (MAS) – are seeing encouraging forward bookings and to some extent, a return of travellers to the premium segment.
Yields will continue to come under pressure and rising cost, especially the price of jet fuel, will remain a concern for airlines going forward.
Yields have been severely depressed due to airlines discounting fares in an effort to stimulate demand.
A Reuters poll showed that crude oil is expected to rise to an average of US$75.40 a barrel in 2010.
But at any sustainable sign of recovery, airlines are going to rush to raise fares to restore profitability and that means the cost of travel will go up again.
MAS managing director/CEO Tengku Datuk Azmil Zahruddin at the airline’s financial result briefing last Wednesday said the “airline will soon need to boost its bottomline as the (fares) current low levels are not sustainable in the long term.”
Despite that, MAS has to offer “competitive and compelling fares” to keep up with rival AirAsia Bhd.
Unlike full service carriers that have been forced to cut capacity since the onslaught of the economic crisis, some low-cost carriers have emerged big winners in the crisis.
AirAsia has expanded aggressively during the crisis and will continue to give its full service rivals a run for their money in the markets which it operates.
“The economic crisis may have seen carriers facing arguably the most difficult environment in recent memory, but AirAsia saw vast opportunities to grow our business,” AirAsia group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes said recently.
He said the airline would continue with its expansion and launch several new routes over the next 12 months, including to several Indian cities.
He said based on the forward booking trend, the underlying passenger demand in the fourth quarter was positive for the airline.
Fuel cost will remain a major concern for airlines and MAS suffered a net loss of RM300mil in the third quarter ended Sept 30, mainly because of wrong-way bets on fuel prices.
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the industry is forecast to lose US$11bil this year, and about US$3.8bil next year.
So that means airlines will continue to lose money even if there is a recovery next year as rebuilding yields may take a while.
IATA has 230 member airlines and the association will review its financial forecast in mid December.
Near home, the figures released recently by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) showed its 17 member airlines carried 11.1 million passengers in October and this was a slight improvement from September but still below levels seen a year ago.
AAPA was reported to have said that it was “unsure whether signs of a fragile recovery in passenger and cargo volumes will prove to be sustainable.”
Traditionally, it took about six months for airlines to recover from the bottom and if the second quarter were any benchmark, the recovery should be fast, said an expert. But historically, the fourth quarter is a peak period.
“The signs are there and some airlines are seeing some encouraging forward bookings but these are still early days to cheer over a recovery as airlines are still operating in a tough environment,” said an industry expert.
The region’s major airlines – Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Malaysia Airlines (MAS) – are seeing encouraging forward bookings and to some extent, a return of travellers to the premium segment.
Yields will continue to come under pressure and rising cost, especially the price of jet fuel, will remain a concern for airlines going forward.
Yields have been severely depressed due to airlines discounting fares in an effort to stimulate demand.
A Reuters poll showed that crude oil is expected to rise to an average of US$75.40 a barrel in 2010.
But at any sustainable sign of recovery, airlines are going to rush to raise fares to restore profitability and that means the cost of travel will go up again.
MAS managing director/CEO Tengku Datuk Azmil Zahruddin at the airline’s financial result briefing last Wednesday said the “airline will soon need to boost its bottomline as the (fares) current low levels are not sustainable in the long term.”
Despite that, MAS has to offer “competitive and compelling fares” to keep up with rival AirAsia Bhd.
Unlike full service carriers that have been forced to cut capacity since the onslaught of the economic crisis, some low-cost carriers have emerged big winners in the crisis.
AirAsia has expanded aggressively during the crisis and will continue to give its full service rivals a run for their money in the markets which it operates.
“The economic crisis may have seen carriers facing arguably the most difficult environment in recent memory, but AirAsia saw vast opportunities to grow our business,” AirAsia group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes said recently.
He said the airline would continue with its expansion and launch several new routes over the next 12 months, including to several Indian cities.
He said based on the forward booking trend, the underlying passenger demand in the fourth quarter was positive for the airline.
Fuel cost will remain a major concern for airlines and MAS suffered a net loss of RM300mil in the third quarter ended Sept 30, mainly because of wrong-way bets on fuel prices.
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the industry is forecast to lose US$11bil this year, and about US$3.8bil next year.
So that means airlines will continue to lose money even if there is a recovery next year as rebuilding yields may take a while.
IATA has 230 member airlines and the association will review its financial forecast in mid December.
Near home, the figures released recently by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) showed its 17 member airlines carried 11.1 million passengers in October and this was a slight improvement from September but still below levels seen a year ago.
AAPA was reported to have said that it was “unsure whether signs of a fragile recovery in passenger and cargo volumes will prove to be sustainable.”
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