CAMBODIA: Cambodia aims to become a medical tourism destination rather than a source of patients

For many years, Cambodia has been a source of patients and health tourists for nearby countries. That is about to change.

Although many Cambodians will still go overseas for medical treatment, the country will soon see the first step in inbound health tourism.

AHMS Collection, a hotel development firm from Thailand, will expand its health and wellness operations into Cambodia in 2014 with the opening of a luxury private island resort targeting the high-end medical, beauty and wellness-focused tourism sectors. The resort is being built at a cost of US$21 million.

Anchalika Kijkanakorn, owner of Akaryn Hospitality Management Services (AHMS), explains, “Unlike many other resorts we will not be just selling the accommodation; as it is about the whole holistic experience, the seclusion, the villas, the technology of the spa treatments, and the ambiance. We are targeting guests who want to stay for seven to 14 days. Part of that is due to the location, which is quite out of the way, but mostly it will be down to the experience they can have there.”

AHMS will work with travel consultants specialising in medical, meditation and anti-ageing tourism to tap established and emerging markets. Anchalika Kijkanakorn adds, “The world has become so small that I cannot say we will be focusing on the European markets as there is so much opportunity from emerging markets in Asia. The UAE will also be one of our key targets as Arabs are very big on health tourism these days.”

The new Akaryan Retreat at Koh Krabeay will be a destination wellness and spa retreat on the private island of Koh Krabey, Cambodia. This 6 star private island resort is a 20-minute boat transfer south of Sihanoukville and welcomes its very first guests in 2014. With only 35 private pool villas, guests are invited to experience the rare luxuries of space, security and seclusion within a tropical island setting. The spa will blend modern technology with natural science wisdom. State of the art facilities will include a medication cave and water therapy suites with full holistic, fitness, medical and spa facilities available for guests. Each villa has a private infinity pool, a large terrace - with day bed and private ocean view garden.

Koh Rong is Cambodia’s second largest island, off the coast of Sihanoukville. There were ambitious plans for two spa resorts, 160 villas, a beach club, a lagoon and a private airfield. But all that has been built is a handful of wooden beachfront bungalows.

Sourced: Cambodia News