Dominican Association of Health Tourism Announces Fifth Annual International Congress of Tourism and Wellness

Santo Domingo, January 15, 2020 – The president of the Dominican Association of Health Tourism (ADTS), Dr. Alejandro Cambiaso, and Amelia Reyes Mora, president of “AF Comunicación Estratégica,” announced the upcoming Fifth International Congress of Tourism and Wellness to be held October 21-23, 2020 in Santo Domingo’s iconic El Embajador Hotel, a member of the Royal Hideaway chain of hotels.

During the formal announcement of the Congress, Dr. Cambiaso explained that the top experts will analyze the new tendencies and projects that will define the future of the Dominican health and tourism sectors.  The main issues that will be included in the Congress agenda will be reputation management and crisis faced by the tourism destination; public-private alliances; process of international accreditation; digital health, healthy cities and excellence centers; local, international and travellers’ insurance; role of the hotel sector and the wellness industry, among others.

At the same time, Amelia Reyes Mora highlighted that the goal of the Congress is to update, integrate and develop the business side of the sector.  Also, to continue positioning health tourism as a national and regional goal.  For example, in 2018, approximately 47,725 international patients who traveled to the region for health tourism and 69,550 tourists who were assisted by medical tourism centers.  In total, the sector generated more than US$300 million in revenues.

The Congress agenda will include important conferences, delivered by international sector experts. Some of the themes included are health centers, health insurance companies, airlines, tour operators, hotels, financial sector, government, transportation, and legal issues, pharmaceutical and educational sectors, among others.

Congress organizers also explained that the event will continue to strengthen the quality, security and compliance with local health standards.  Also, the importance of receiving international accreditation to strengthen the medical practice and position the country as a solid and reliable and safe medical destination.

Overall, medical tourism is a boost for local economies.  Eighty percent of health tourist patients travel with a second person, minimum, and they spend eight times more than a conventional tourist.