TAT presents 12 finalists of Thailand Medical Tourism Blog Contest

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has organized the Thailand Medical Tourism Blog Contest to promote medical tourism in Thailand with prizes worth up to US$20,000. This contest was launched on October 1, 2010, attracting 219 applicants from 24 countries, who signed up in just two months. The TAT Selection Committee has now selected the 12 finalists based on reputable profiles relevant to tourism and medical tourism to compete in the final round in Thailand.

Throughout their seven-day stay in Thailand, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has arranged visits for the 12 final contestants to over 50 health and tourist establishments, ranging from hospitals and clinics to spas in six destinations: Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Samui, and Hua Hin. Furthermore, the 12 finalists will get to experience a variety of Thailand's world-class medical and wellness services, including medical check-ups, dentistry, skin laser treatments, botox courses, and health spas.

The 12 finalists will then submit their blogs promoting medical tourism in Thailand referring to their experiences during the seven days. The blog with the most votes during the two-month voting period will win an assortment of prizes presented by the Tourism Authority of Thailand worth up to US$20,000.

The 12 finalists arrived in Thailand on November 21, 2010 and attended TAT's welcoming reception held at Ballroom A of the Westin Grand Hotel Sukhumvit on November 22, 2010. The 12 finalists came from the United States, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Their profiles can be viewed at the www.MedBlogContest.com website.

The Deputy Governor for International Marketing (Asia and South Pacific) of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Mr. Sansern Ngaorungsi, explained, "From our research into the worldwide web blogs on tourism and medical tourism, there were few that mentioned Thailand and the services we offer. This meant medical tourists were not able to access information on Thailand's comprehensive healthcare and tourism offerings. Therefore, the Tourism Authority of Thailand decided to launch this promotional campaign to encourage bloggers to write about their experiences in Thailand as medical tourists and serve as sources of reliable information for potential medical tourists around the globe.

This campaign aims to create awareness and increase online information and on medical tourism in Thailand to make it more readily accessible. It will also serve to inspire confidence in the standards and quality of Thai medical tourism.

Source=eturbonews