Jamaica To Invest In Health And Wellness Tourism

Jamaica’s investment and export promotion agency, JAMPRO, has revealed that it has secured technical assistance from the Commonwealth Secretariat to undertake the development of a road map for the growth of health and wellness tourism in Jamaica to facilitate the country's foray into the multi-billion dollar global medical tourism industry.

As part of the project, the Commonwealth Secretariat will fund the services of a consultant, who will work closely with JAMPRO to identify the critical prerequisites and success factors for the sustainable development of health and wellness tourism in Jamaica.

The project will be delivered in collaboration with the health and tourism ministries and will aim at articulating investment promotion and industry development frameworks for the establishment of an internationally competitive health care services cluster.

"As a critical part of our mandate, JAMPRO is charged with not only promoting established sectors for investments, but also identifying and diversifying Jamaica's offerings for both local and foreign investments. We are committed to increasing employment, and the health and wellness sub-sector presents those opportunities," said Sancia Bennett-Templer, president of JAMPRO.

According to a study conducted by Deloitte & Touche, as many as 1.6 million Americans could be travelling in 2012 for medical tourism, spending billions of dollars in the process. Many medical tourists are already crossing borders to save up to 90 per cent on the cost of medical care, while still pursuing high quality health care.

Tourism is a key industry in Jamaica and its foray into wellness and health tourism can give a major boost to the country’s economy. And it is not just the medical facilities that the island can provide at affordable costs, its spectacular natural beauty is a healer in itself. It is little wonder then that the island attracts more than one million visitors annually many of whom choose to stay in their own private Jamaica accommodation comprising Jamaica villas, cottages and Jamaica apartments.