Government targeting RM2.8 billion medical tourism revenue by 2020

The government is targeting to generate revenue of RM2.8 billion by 2020 through the health tourism sector, said Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya.

In achieving this, the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) under the Health Ministry (MOH) had implemented various initiatives to make Malaysia the destination of choice for healthcare seekers, he told the Dewan Rakyat today.

"The government works in collaboration with the private sector, especially private hospitals, and government agencies both locally and overseas in the implementation of the marketing plans," he said in reply to a question from Datuk Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah (BN-Lenggong) on efforts to promote Malaysia's medical tourism.

He said MHTC had outlined three approaches, namely facilitation, digital marketing and industry sustainability towards achieving the target, adding that Indonesia, China, Myanmar, Vietnam and India had been identified as important markets.

Among the strategies were shifting towards high-value customers by offering specialised medical treatments, introducing business-related travels and intensifying digital marketing through the Internet and social media, he added.

-- BERNAMA