There are conflicting opinions about how the global financial crisis is affecting medical tourism. The views expressed by such organizations as the medical tourism association is the "....with the economy and the credit crisis, more people are waking up and paying attention (medical tourism). "
The harsh reality can be a little different. BusinessWeek reports that "... Read some medical tourism hotspots, formerly flourishing hospitals are seeing empty beds. " The MD of Parkway hospitals in Singapore, "hopes that the numbers of foreign patients to stabilize after dropping 10 per cent".
If the credit crisis encourages more people to consider that if travelling abroad for treatment remains to be seen. People are short of money, you can't lend and are delaying expenses with purchase of housing, cars and other large expenses. Healthcare is not immune to this. Although the last global recession, was less affected, the more likely it is that people who may have considered medical tourism may decide to postpone your expenses.
Areas most affected are those "non-urgent", discretionary treatments such as cosmetic surgery. In countries where medical tourism is influenced by waiting lists, patients can decide endure for free treatment on your own, instead of going for the treatment of paid for immediately available elsewhere. In the US, the story might be different, as the financial crisis puts pressure on health insurers and employers to find ways to cut growing health care costs.
The simple answer is that nobody knows yet how the financial crisis will affect medical tourism. But it is better to be prepared.
So, here are our recommendations for marketing in a recession medical tourism (... these and they also will pay all, if there is an increase of. follow).
And there are no excuses to give treatment services abroad a plug!
1. its activities to target
There are many hospitals, clinics and medical tourism operators out there that do not have a clearly defined service strategy. Which service I am selling, in which markets and what demographic data? Now is the time to think this through and clearly identify your niche market.
2. Maximize the return on marketing investment.
Measure the return on investment across all marketing activities. And invest in those that generate results:
3. improve your conversion rate
Web surveys and Turn more prospects into paying patients and customers. If somebody bothered to complete an enquiry form for your service, then you probably did the same for some of its competitors. Respond faster and better respond with a reply informative, personalized and high quality. (Become a client of treatment abroad and we'll give you our free guide to managing IP)!
4. Generate referral business
Passed patients are one of the best sources of future patients. 20% of tourists who travel to medical treatment have been recommended by a friend or relative.
5. be brave!
Don't cut your marketing budget. In a recession, the strong survive. Use the opportunity to take market share from competitors who are less well equipped and poorly prepared to deal with a recession.
Do not cut their prices because you think it will bring you more business. Think about where you can add value to your service offering to give yourself a competitive advantage and focus on customer care and quality of service.
Placed above into practice. Then, if we see an increase or decrease sharply .... you'll be on the winning side!
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