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MEDICAL TOURISM
PLANNING YOUR
MEDICAL TRIP ABROAD
Recovery Retreat or Hotel:
An Interview with Jim Follett of
International Hotel Group
As the amount of US patients
traveling abroad for elective care
continues to increase, where to stay
when arriving at a destination
country is becoming big business.
By LOURDES GASPARONI
The needs of the “Medical Tourist” are much
different than those of someone traveling on business
or vacation. Historically, for a medical tourist, staying
at a traditional hotel comes with much apprehension.
While a hotel may be very appropriate for someone
having dental work done, it may not be very suitable
for someone having a cosmetic or bariatric procedure
for example. Challenges include: the lack of privacy
after the procedure, rooms often times not properly
equipped to handle post-surgical issues, medical needs,
such as nurse care and massage therapy, are not readily
available. This may cause frequent trips to a medical
facility for post-operative care and follow up.
Many hotels are trying to make the adjustments. Jim
Follett of International Hotel Group, based in Dallas,
TX says, “As the hotel company with more guest rooms
than any other company in the world, we are focusing
on the individual traveling internationally for various
medical treatments.”
Jim is the Director of Global Sales in Latin America
and has spent much time in Central and South America.
“Our research found these individuals have special
requirements at the facilities they select for their
recovery period. Our brands InterContinental, Crowne
Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, and Staybridge
Suites are committed to satisfying the unique needs of
these guests.”
“The initial markets where we are developing programs
for these guests include San Jose Costa Rica, Monterrey
Mexico and Sao Paulo Brazil. Each city has multiple
IHG brands which will satisfy the different budgets of
the travelers. The Real InterContinental San Jose for
example offers 24 hour room service, health club and
business center which is very important to many of
these guests. The newly renovated Holiday Inn San
56 DECEMBER 2007