The Caribbean region can boost its bottom line by developing a medical tourism product that takes advantage of its brand as a great vacation destination, its proximity to North America as well as its tourism facilities, beaches and of course, the year-round warm weather of the region.
That's according to Dr. Paul Angelchik, founder of
American World Clinics, and
Collin Childress, CEO of
Global MedChoices. Their comments come as both prepare to discuss the potential of medical tourism for the Caribbean in-depth at a panel at
Invest Caribbean Now 2014.
ICN, the biggest global investment summit on the Caribbean outside of the region, is set for the
Harvard Club in New York City from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. this June 4th under the patronage of Hollywood actor
Malik Yoba.
"The opportunity for the Caribbean in general is that it carries a positive connotation in the view of many for having friendly people, natural beauty and a reputation as an enjoyable, upscale destination with great visitor amenities in many locations," commented Dr. Angelchik. "I have no doubt that the Caribbean can be a major region for MT activities if there is follow through on the initial buzz of enthusiasm that has defined the industry to date."
"Creating the opportunity for economic diversification through introducing a sustainable development and growth industry, such as medical tourism, to the Caribbean can help soften the impact of cyclical North American economic downturns in tourism on the Caribbean market and leverage the supply and demand issues that are driving patient flow offshore from Canada and the US," added CEO Childress.
In 2011, the total impact of the medical tourism industry contributed 9 percent of global GDP (over $6 trillion USD) and accounted for 255 million jobs in the world. In the next decade, medical tourism is expected to grow by an average yearly of 4 percent, contributing up to 10 percent of future global GDP ($10 trillion). Eventually, by 2022, it is estimated that 328 million jobs will be created in the medical tourism industry: equal to 10 percent of jobs in the world.
WHO'S WHO FOR ICN, the brainchild of
Hard Beat Communications CEO Felicia Persaud, is committed to advancing wealth in the Caribbean. ICN matches investors with projects in the Caribbean while bringing investors to the region and introducing them to sustainable investment opportunities there.
This year's summit will feature top delegates including a delegation of Chinese investors from China, Caribbean government dignitaries from across the region, including premier of Nevis, Vance Amory; New York City elected officials; chairman of over two dozen companies throughout the Caribbean, North America, Russia, China, Africa and Great Britain, including
Sandals Resorts chairman,
Gordon 'Butch' Stewart;
Qahir Dhanani,
World Bank Group;
Ambassador Richard Bernal, executive director, Caribbean,
Inter-American Development Bank;
Leigh Moran, representing the
US State Department/USAID 'IdEA; '
Sergio Millian, president of the
Russian American Chamber of Commerce;
Anthony A. L. Adjasse of the
Allied African Nations Chamber Of Commerce; Jamaica's ambassador to the UN
, Courtney Rattray; Hollywood fashion designer,
Woody Wilson and numerous global professional investors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders.
Special partnership and co-branding opportunities for this prestigious event are available by contacting
sheila@investcaribbeannow.com
or logging on to
ICN's brand new site at
Investcaribbeannow.com. Limited early bird tickets to the summit are available at
investcaribbeannow.com/earlybird.
An exclusive Diamond Dinner has been added to this year's summit for only 20 people who will include Malik Yoba, Gordon 'Butch' Stewart and Woody Wilson among other top Chinese, Caribbean and Russian delegates. Tickets are available on an invitation only basis by contacting Joe Bernstein at joe@investcaribbeannow.com.
ICN PARTNERS Partners for ICN 2014 include: Hard Beat Communications, The
Caribbean Tourism Organization,
One Caribbean Television,
The Woody Wilson Collection of Beverly Hills,
The PR Newswire, the
Caribbean Commerce Magazine,
Blinglets,
The Caribbean Council for Economic Development,
the Chinese Business Development Center,
Woody Wilson Fine Clothing,
CaribPR Wire and
News Americas Now.
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