Thursday, August 25, 2011

Child Sex Tourism: What's Fueling the Fire?


When the issue of child sexual abuse first appeared in the news, it was all about isolated incidents of pedophilia and incest, at least that's all anyone saw about it. But now, the crime has dramatically evolved as one of the most disturbing in society. In fact, it isn't about minor incidents anymore - the crime itself has become a thriving business.
Child sex tourism exists - sad but true. The business of sexually exploiting children affects millions of victims from different countries around the world. Sex offenders, predators, and pedophiles travel thousands of miles and cross islands and continents just to find child prostitutes and sex slaves. Most of the time, third world countries provide these criminals with enough supply of children, who are trafficked in different locations for the operation of the sex trade.
Although there is no proof to validate this, the emerging trend is that the majority of sex tourists come from developed nations such as the US, Australia, and Japan. At the same time, victims are usually from third world nations such as Thailand, Cambodia, Philippines, and many countries in South and Central America. A very prevalent example is the prostitution dens and brothels around the Thai-Cambodian border. Many Japanese flock to this area to find child prostitutes and use them to carry out sexual abuse and exploitation. The same thing happens to American sex tourists who frequently visit Mexico and other Latin states where they can find many children and minors sold for sex.
Today, it becomes commonplace to point the blame to those people who have not made the necessary steps to prevent the spread of child sex tourism. So who's to blame?
First, the internet is a primary tool of communication for traffickers and offenders. They engage in business with the help of a very huge blanket of secrecy called the World Wide Web. Though it has been regarded as one of the most important technological breakthroughs in the modern age, it has also become a contributor to the abuse and exploitation of innocent children.
Blame should be placed on the convenience of travel. People today get the advantage of getting from one continent to the other in a few days or even less. Because of this, pedophiles and sex tourists do not need to worry about long periods of travel just to reach a notable sex tourism spot from any point in the world.
Another contributory factor is poverty. If only the victims are provided with their basic needs within their families, there is no need for them to venture out and find greener pastures. It is within this hope that they are unfortunately led to the hands of child traffickers and offenders. If poverty is eliminated down to the lowest levels of society, child sex tourism wouldn't have taken place in the first place.
Lastly, most of the blame should be placed on the face of the governments concerned. There have been accusations that the governments of countries where sex tourism is prevalent are actually indirectly supporting the crime considering that it somehow gives them a boost in tourism and foreigner visits. The lack of law enforcement initiative is slowly killing many innocent women and children in these countries. And if nothing is done and the trade is tolerated, it may be too late to stop it for good.
Child trafficking and child sex tourism are great evils in our world. Trafficking is even prevalent within the borders of the United States, and mostly involves U.S. citizens. Cecilio Calizar writes for Child Refuge, a non-profit organization dedicated to ending the sexual exploitation of children and youth in America. We aim to stop sexual abuse offenders from harming children in all areas of society, and especially within the church. Please join us in the fight.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cecilio_Calizar

Cultural Tourism in Kenya

Expert Author Jackline Mwathe


Tourism can be referred to as travelling for discovery or for pleasure to places that are of great interest. Tourists have an interest in people of the places they visit. They want to familiarize with their culture, their lifestyle and their practices. In Kenya, cultural tourism is practiced with an aim of understanding the origins of a people's culture, their attachment to some practices, their norms and taboos as well as their outlook on the meaning of life. Cultural experiences provide tourists with an experience that they would otherwise not get elsewhere.
Cultural tourism in Kenya mostly targets the indigenous communities that are still holding on to their traditional way of life. Among the communities that are targeted by tourists are the Masai, Samburu and Turkana, who are known to be rich in traditional songs and dances, not forgetting that, they form the population of cattle herders and pastoralism. Their food culture is also another aspect that seems to promote cultural tourism in Kenya, bearing in mind that their most favorite drink is milk mixed with fresh animal blood.
So much about these groups of people; let's not forget that Kenya has 42 different tribes and as such, 42 different cultures. Each of these has some cultural practices that would interest any tourist keen on cultural tourism. All these cultures are spread throughout the nation of Kenya. While the aforementioned communities of the Maasai and Samburu most occupy the Great Rift valley, others like the Swahili and Digo are to be found in the coastal region of the country. The cultural tourism around the area goes hand in hand with coastal tourism that is mainly an attraction due to the Indian Ocean, the coral reefs and the ferries. The coastal people have numerous festivals and ceremonies that are marked with traditional dances that are quite attractive to tourists.
To the west of the country are the Luo and Luhya communities. These are known to be the occupants of the Great Lake (Lake Victoria). Their culture is marked with fishing, and tourists enjoy engaging in the activity as well. Cultural tourism in Kenya has helped the Kenyan communities to hold on to their cultural practices. It gives much joy and pride when people travel from all over the world just to come and interact with the people of Kenya and to have a feel of what it is like to have some traditional practices to identify with. This culture gives a sense of identity and belonging to the whole Kenyan community.
Jackline Mwathe Is A Tour Operator And Has Been Organizing And Reporting On Vacation, Travel And Tours For Years. For more information on Kenya Tourism, visit her site at Kenya Cultural Tourism
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jackline_Mwathe

Public Relations in Tourism


Nowadays travel and tourism public relations play an important role in both tactical and strategic marketing activities and in many cases are integrated with marketing communications. The tourism industry has its own specific major sectors such as hotels and lodging, restaurants, establishments, tourist destinations, and transportation service. Each mentioned sector of the travel and tourism industry has its own messages, public relations tools and audience. For instance, meeting planners are the most important to hotels, as well as travel agents; but they are of less importance to restaurants and airlines.
It is very important to create visitors' positive perceptions and feelings about holiday destination because success in the field of travel and tourism industry depends on it much. Hotels, restaurants, destinations, attractions and transportation modes - they all need strategic and effective public relations to be successful and popular among tourists. PR department creates favorable impressions of each and every sector of the travel and tourism industry.
Working out concepts, presenting companies, planning and conducting of PR campaigns are major tasks of winning the public attention in tourism. Another direction for public relations activities is interaction with the mass media (newspapers, radio, television, internet), with clients, partners and competitors and bodies of government.
You should not underestimate the power of the right PR campaign or try to create it yourself. Instead of it find a good company that knows the tasks of your business and know how to grab attention of the public without much effort. In this case the results will appear very soon and exceed your expectations.
Articles and books on the topic can give readers great insights and useful tips on how to look for the best public relations firms. Online resources give useful tools for those people who want to get a better understanding of the travel-related PR issues.
For the latest updates in the global tourism industry - please visit this site, where the latest tourism industry trends are highlighted and discussed.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nickolay_Bokhonok

Travel and Tourism Online

Expert Author Michael Bustamante


Travel and Tourism degrees are available through an online college or university distance learning course. A Travel and Tourism degree qualifies future travel agents for an exciting career planning trips, escorting clients to exotic locales, and enjoying industry discounts on airfare and services.
Online Travel and Tourism Schools teach students to assess a client's travel goals: Will it be a business trip or pleasure? What are the client's interests? How much is the client willing to spend? Online Travel and Tourism Schools show students how to select a destination, make reservations for hotels and car rentals, purchase airline tickets, and arrange tours and recreational activities.
A high school diploma or equivalent is the minimum educational requirement for travel agents, but a Travel and Tourism degree or certification can greatly increase employment potential. Travel and Tourism is an extremely competitive job market, and an online degree demonstrates a high level of competency that employers find very desirable.
There are many online schools and distance learning programs to choose from when seeking an education in Travel and Tourism. For those who major in Travel and Tourism, online colleges and universities offer Associate, Bachelor and even Master Degrees. Students may also opt for certification via a 6 to 12 week Distance Learning course.
If you are interested in learning more about a career in Travel and Tourism, apply to one of the many online and distance learning courses available, and join an exciting profession that will take you around the world!
Copyright 2006 - All Rights Reserved
Michael Bustamante, in association with Media Positive Communications, Inc. for SchoolsGalore.com
M. Bustamante is a staff writer for Media Positive Communications, Inc. in association with SchoolsGalore.com. Find Travel and Tourism Online at SchoolsGalore.com; meeting your needs as your educational resource to locate schools
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Bustamante

Tourism Training - Key to Turning Visitors Into Profit During the Rugby World Cup 2011

Expert Author Sue Gunn


The Rugby World Cup in 2011 is going to bring an unprecedented number of tourists to the shores of New Zealand, which provides all businesses, especially in the tourism industry, the chance to generate additional revenue and capitalise on the popularity of the event and the increased numbers of potential customers. Furthermore, as we are now entering the peak summer months of tourism trade, the next year represents a period where the recessionary woes are placed beyond memory and strategies are put in place to capitalise on the promising times ahead.
Totalling a number of 48 matches over a period of six weeks, the games are dispersed throughout twelve regions in New Zealand. Research from the New Zealand Government has estimated that more than 85,000 visitors will result as a direct result of the Rugby World Cup, with more as an indirect consequence of the event. It has been estimated that the event will add an extra $500 million in additional revenue earnings for the country.
Furthermore, with the extended worldwide coverage, it provides the perfect platform for New Zealand, and the businesses contained within, to showcase their capabilities to a captive worldwide audience. Tourism businesses have a real opportunity to capture the business of the increased visitors, while building long term brand awareness, communication channels and sales channels for driving business results after the Rugby World Cup is over.
Nonetheless, the ability of hospitality and tourism industry to capitalise, both in the short and long term, from the Rugby World Cup, means that those businesses must ensure that they possess qualified and experienced staff that will ensure that customer experiences exceed their expectations. As a result of this, there will be an unprecedented demand for qualified tourism specialists in all positions including front of house staff, to tour and activity operators, to those charged with responsibilities of management and marketing.
As a direct result of this, tourism training will become a key component of any strategy to maximise the benefits from the event; whether this involves up skilling current staff or hiring new staff that possess the necessary education and skills to make an impact on the business success and bottom line profits. Those students attending tourism training courses are in a luxurious position of being in high demand in the very near future - the peak tourism periods demand higher numbers to be involved in the tourism industry while the Rugby World Cup will be even more influential in human resource requirements of many tourism businesses. Capitalise on the opportunities that are being presented and enrol in a tourism training course today.
Waiariki Institute of Technology - Whare Takiura, was established as a Community College in 1978. Waiariki is passionate about its business. It is non-profit making, but its job is to help others make profits. Study the Bachelor of Tourism Management at Waiariki Institute of Technology and gain a career in Toursim Management. Find out more about tourism training today.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sue_Gunn

Medical Tourism


There are several bans and restrictions of many a treatment and procedure in America, but that doesn't mean that you can't find access to it in other parts of the world. One such medical treatment that happens to be a major scientific breakthrough and is offering 'miracle' results to those who are in dire need of it is stem cell therapy.
The US restricts it, but nonetheless, the demand for its see a tremendous amount of increase day in and day out. All over the world, scientists and researchers are examining and exploring the efficacies of embryonic and adult stem cells, and have come across some astonishing results.
Even if the American government would have allowed stem cell therapy to be offered on its turf, its institutionalized medical system would not have been able to immediately satisfy the sheer number of people asking for it. With public awareness spreading like wild fire, more and more patients from America and Europe are traveling to medical tourism destinations to seek this advanced treatment. Facilitating travel for medical procedures in many countries offering health tourism, you can easily locate companies and agencies that bridge the gap between you and your preferred destination.
Offering everything from thorough research process to finalizing on a hospital, from arranging for your tickets to getting you back home all hale and hearty, medical tourism facilitators would come in real handy if you are contemplating seeking stem cell therapy in a global healthcare center. The popularity of stem cell therapy stems from the fact that it comes to the rescue of not just or two but several medical conditions and illnesses.
All thanks to this newly-developed procedure, you can see amazing things happening around you, including new windpipes being created in labs and implanted in just weeks, toddlers afflicted by childhood blindness finding promising results, diabetics receiving a cure for permanent, and those suffering from Parkinson's syndrome, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries and pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases being able to seek great relief from their respective conditions.
Cost and availability play a major role in the success of medical tourism, irrespective of whichever treatment and procedure it maybe. Therefore, the phenomenon of health tourism attracts hundreds and thousands of patients from all across the globe every year to places like India, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Hong Kong.
Medical Tourism search engine offering users the ability to compare Surgery Overseas cosmetic and medical procedure costs and reputation from.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wilsion_Roy

Indian Tourism


India. The land where the majestic, snow covered mountains stand to the north like a proud and indomitable guard, where mighty rivers flow across the country's heart giving birth to fertile green plains on which the country's vast population survives, where arid, fiery deserts stretch across one part while deep, impenetrable forests with a stunning variety of flora and fauna can be found in another part. In another radically different scenario, one can see roaring waves of the sea crashing against the shores. Or old monuments, royal palaces, ruins of ancient buildings, caves steeped in the mystery of the unheard stories that history has to tell. Where temples, mosques, churches, gurdwaras, synagogues all share space under the same sky and co-exist harmoniously. Where almost every month witnesses a festival with burst of colors, lights and celebrations in one corner of the country or the other.
Very few countries in the world have such a huge diversity of natural beauty and cultural heritage to offer like India. The biggest democracy in the world is home to people of different castes, creeds, races with different types of culture each of which is vibrant and enchanting. India is one of the most popular tourist destinations of the world; once a traveler reads about its exotic beauty, he/she cannot help but pack her bags and arrive in this beautiful land. India has a record number of foreign tourists visiting the country every year, so much so that tourism has become one of the most important services industries earning huge amounts of foreign exchange for the country. A Ministry of Tourism has been developed that looks after the tourism industry and maintains the tourist destinations, building accommodations, roads, providing electricity, water, transport etc. Tourism provides employment to the population of even some of the most remote areas of the country. In fact, tourism has been recorded to have contributed 6.23% to the national GDP and 8.78% to the employment. It is not just a service industry earning foreign exchange. It is a mean of livelihood for people from different spheres of the society.
There are several airlines offering cheap tickets to India to make travel affordable as well as comfortable. To avail of these cheap flights to India, log onto the travel websites and type in your destination and time of visit. These websites will provide you with the names and links of airlines offering cheap flight tickets. You can compare the prices and then decide which one to buy. You can also buy tickets, book your hotels, cars etc online. Sometimes on different occasions, airlines also offer special discount prices.
For more well-planned and well-coordinated trips, you can avail of holiday packages in India. There are separate packages with exciting deals covering different locations of the country. Because India is a huge country with many places to see, it is advisable that you opt for such a tour package unless you have a very well-planned tour plan ready. You can search online for such packages and find about the details of places to visit, prices, any discount, accommodation facilities, transport and overall security. Keep important documents, contact numbers of officials and a first-aid kit with you always to stay prepared for various adversities.
Plan your trip properly and come to India to be mesmerized by its beauty.
Tom providing cheap tickets to India and air fares USA to India
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_Hunk

Costa Rica Travel: Tourism Expectations Grow


Costa Rica is one of the most popular Latin American destinations for traveling coming from the United States. This is due to several factors, including the countries proximity to the United States, wonderful beaches, lush jungle, and interesting volcanoes. A Costa Rica vacation can be a very diverse and exciting experience. However, for the past two years, the country has experienced a tourism slump. One of the factors that contributed to this was the international economic down turn, which especially hurt eco-travel, an area where the country typically excels.
However, the new Tourism Minister thinks the slump is over. He announced this belief during a travel fair at the Expotur inauguration in downtown San Jose. Expotur is the country's largest tourism fair, and it is estimated that this tour brings in 70,000 new tourists each year. The Tourism Minister announced that for the first three months of 2011, the country saw an increase of 7.8 percent in tourism from foreigners.
The country's tourism board estimated that almost 50 percent of the two million people that flew into Costa Rica in 2010 participated in eco-tourism activity, and this generated close to one billion dollars in revenue.
There are numerous places to visit during your Costa Rica vacation. If you're interesting in seeing lava ooze down the side of a volcano, you should head to Arenal in the northern center of the country. From the town you have a remarkable view of the volcano, and you can take an Arenal tour to see the lava light up at night or soak the hot springs heated by the volcano.
If you'd like to experience some Caribbean vibes and catch a few waves, head to Puerto Viejo along the eastern coast. This tiny laid back town is a hippy haven and is perfect if you want to relax. There are not a lot of western-style developments here and most of the roads have not yet been paved. In addition to surfing and catching some sun, you can explore the rainforest, where you're likely to see monkey and other jungle wildlife.
If you want the beach but don't want to rough it, maybe you should take a trip to Jaco. Jaco is along the western coast and is primarily a tourist development. The town is full of bars, restaurants, and hotel, so everything you need is easily at your disposal. You can also check out the jungle here as well by visiting the Carara Biological Reserve.
This article about Costa Rica tourism was written by a Costa Rica travel expert at Costa Rica For Less, specializing in Costa Rica vacations.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Henry_Arnault

Outlining Medical Tourism in India


A heart surgery in India would cost somewhere near to $6,000, the figure goes up to $30,000 when it comes to U.S. In the same way if we talk about other medical treatments such as a bone marrow transplant can cost you $26,000 in India with contrast to U.S charging an amount of $2, 50,000. This huge gap in the price rate and the uncompromised quality of Indian medical services makes it stand still in the global health tourism sector by giving a tough competition to other potential and developed countries.
With an overall reduction of 30% in the cost of medical treatments, India has beaten the records of Thailand which was once considered as the best care spots. India is now inked as the cheapest health tourism destinations throughout the world, especially in the entire Southeast Asia. In fact, this industry is inclined to grow to Rs 11, 000 crores within few couple of years. Considering at the current state of Health Tourism, India is emerging as a hot spot for patients looking for cost effective medical treatments and people seeking a career in this field.
Keeping this in mind many health care facilitators have come up in India to do their bit in order to deliver health care service information to the seeking patients overseas and within the nation. However, the decision to choose any one health care facilitator is crucial yet essential.
Why choose 'ICRI Medical Tourism'?
At 'ICRI Medical Tourism', we offer apt health information and service provider details to all the patients or interested personals throughout the world. 'ICRI Medical Tourism' is the leader in Global Healthcare Facilitator group that delivers accurate assistance of renowned and specialized hospital networks, expert surgeons, affordable and quality accommodation and other travel and medical solutions to one and all.
Cost of Cardiac Surgery, Bone Mone marrow transplant, Liver transplant, Orthopaedic surgery and other key health treatments is upto 30% low in India compared to any potential care tourism country. Evaluating this we at 'ICRI Medical Tourism' have competently synergized the facilities of the healthcare service providers as well as undertaken hospitality and tourism services into one comprehensive package at an affordable price without negotiating the quality.
Indian Health care Tourism sector is booming at its best and we are doing every bit to raise it to the nest level of success. So, if you are willing to get a complete package of quality treatment at low price then ''ICRI Medical Tourism'' is the place to come.
John Michelcane is an expert advisor on Medical Tourism and health tourism india.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Michel_Cane

Kerala Is Going to Get a Tourism Boost Through Kochi Tuskers Kerala


Kochi Tuskers Kerala, the Kochi franchise of the Indian Premier League is a dream come true for the cricket fans in Kerala. Getting the franchise is one in a string of developments occurred in Kerala lately. This certainly involves a lot of money being invested in the state which in turn creates a lot of job opportunities.
One of the major benefits of the new team is a boost to the tourism industry. Kerala is known as 'God's own country' due to its scenic beauty. House boating, fishing and eco tourism being its major attractions, hundreds and thousands of tourists visit Kerala every year.
A major push is going to come from potential tourists with in the state. The home matches are going t take place in Kochi, where the new stadium is being built. Kochi has got a lot of attractions. It has already emerged as a major shopping destination in Kerala. Cricket loving people from all over Kerala will obviously be tempted to go to Kochi to see the matches and to visit the other attractions and also to do some shopping.
The goodwill of Kerala in general and that of Kochi in particular is going to improve as a result of the publicity. And this will definitely attract domestic tourists from other states of India. People from other states particularly like Kerala food. So if their home team is playing in Kochi they will obviously consider visiting Kerala.
The major boost I expect is going to come from foreign tourists. As in every other IPL team, Kochi team also go a lot of foreign players. Obviously their family and friends are going to accompany them or visit them at some point during the season. This also gives a huge amount of direct publicity for the beautiful Kerala. IPL is aired live in most parts of the world for free. For someone who is watching a match conducted in Kochi is going to have a positive idea of Kerala as a tourist destination.
I believe the performance of Kochi Tuskers Kerala can add a lot to the positive image of Kerala as a tourist destination. This might sound weird but when the team wins it gets more attention. Thereby the home city gets more attraction.
The government of Kerala is trying to promote Kerala as a tourist destination. The tourism department has launched campaigns to advertise the beauty of Kerala. The Kochi Tuskers Kerala factor will certainly add wings to Kerala as a tourist destination.
Author recommends http://www.thekochituskerskerala.com to get latest updates on Kochi Tuskers Kerala team
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Raj_T_Kumar

Tourism Courses & Colleges in India


The Tourism courses and colleges in India have gained immense popularity because of the great passion of people to travel and explore. The tourism industry is a huge one, and quite diverse in operations. It includes the Government tourism departments, Immigration services, travel agencies and tour operators, airlines and railway reservations and services, etc.
A course in Travel and Tourism can be pursued at all levels of education, be it undergraduate programs, post graduation, diploma or certificate courses. The eligibility for graduate course is 12th pass. For post-graduate level, it is graduation in any field, and admission is usually on the basis of entrance exam, group discussion and interview. Most tourism institutes seek proficiency in one foreign language at least, in the applicants.
Himachal Pradesh University:
It offers a 2 year course at PG level - Master of Tourism Administration.
Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi:
Offers master's program - MA in Tourism Management. The admission to this 2 year postgraduate course is on the bass of entrance test. Bachelor's degree is essential for application.
Apeejay Institute of Management, Jalandhar:
Institute was established in 1997, is approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and Government of Punjab. It is affiliated to the Punjab Technical University in Jalandhar. It offers B. Sc. Airlines, Tourism and Hospitality Management, the eligibility criteria for it being a pass in class XII. It is a 3 year course and admission is made on entrance examination conducted by the Punjab Technical University.
Kuoni Academy of Travel:
The institute has branches in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad. It works in close collaboration with the Tourism Industry. At UG level it offers 1 year course in Integrated Diploma in Travel and Tourism Management. At PG level, for graduates, it offers Post Graduate Diploma in Travel and Tourism Management.
Awadesh Pratap Singh University, Rewa:
Offers 2 years program in Master of Tourism Administration (MTA). Eligibility requirement is graduation or post graduation with minimum 50%.h 50% marks in aggregate. Admission is on the basis of written test.
HNB Garhwal University, Department of Tourism, Srinagar:
It offers - Master of Tourism Administration (MTA), 2 year course, requiring bachelor's with at least 50%, admission on basis of written test. And Post Graduate Diploma in Tourism and Hotel Management, a 1 year program, graduates only can apply, admission based on entrance test.
Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM), Gwalior:
It offers 7 travel and tourism related courses at PG level. The eligibility criteria is graduate in any discipline. The programs are -
- Basic Course in Air and Sea Cargo Service Management
- Basic Course in Airline Travel, Fares and Ticketing Management
- Basic Course in Computerized Reservation System
- Basic Course on Airlines Travel Agency and Tour Operation Management
- Diploma in Tourism Management (DTM) - entrance test is also conducted for admission
- Diploma in Travel and Tourism Management
- Language Training Course
University of Delhi, Delhi:
College of Vocational Studies, University of Delhi, offers 3 year Graduate Integrated Course in Tourism.
Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management, Delhi:
It offers 5 courses, eligibility criteria for the courses being graduation degree, namely -
- Basic Course in Airline Travel, Fares and Ticketing Management
- Basic Course in Computer Application and Software Studies
- Basic Course in Computerized Reservation System
- Diploma in Travel and Tourism Management
-Language Training Course
The IATA/UFTAA and LATA/FIATA Authorized Training Centers in India:
Chavara School of Tourism Studies, Kochi; Globe College of Travel and Tourism, Mangalore; Hindustan Marine Electronics Institute, Ludhiana; IATA India, Mumbai; IHCTM, Mumbai; Institute of Air Travel Studies, Adoor; Institute of Airlines and Travel Agencies, Chennai; School of Airline & Travel Management, Kochi; SITA Academy, New Delhi; Skyline Education Institute, New Delhi; Swastik School of Travel and Tourism Studies, Thiruvananthapuram; Vista Cocord School of Airlines & Travel Studies, Kolkata.
Tourism courses and colleges offered in India concentrate on not only tourism services but also hospitality and other related programs. It is an upcoming career choice with growing scope.
For More Information Click On Tourism Courses and Colleges
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gurg_Sumit_Kumar

Global Healthcare - Selecting the Right Medical Tourism Agent

Expert Author Tom S Jung


Global healthcare dates back centuries to the ancient Greeks and Egyptians travelling to hot mineral springs to obtain their healing benefits. Today global healthcare, or medical tourism is done through medical tourism agents (also known as facilitators). It has become very popular due to the higher level of care received, better recovery and deep discounts over U.S. healthcare.
For Americans, medical tourism is a new concept and many stumbling into it have no idea where to start when it comes to selecting a medical tourism agent. This medical tourism guide will give you a good idea of what you should look for when selecting a medical tourism agent or agency.
Company Size: How big is the company? Is the company real? The problem with finding a company online is you never know what is behind the company. There have been countless occasions when the businesses street address points to a house.
Time in business: Ask how long your medical tourism agency has been in business. It is also good to ask how they got their start. When you find a destination you like, it is a good idea to call the hospital and see if they know who the company is that you are booking through.
Network: How big is the network? When you need a heart stint do you want a network with 1 heart hospital or a network with all the very best heart hospitals the world has to offer? When it comes to your health make sure you are searching from the best hospitals. Global healthcare isn't global healthcare if it only extends to 3 or 4 countries.
Services: What services are included by the company? Do they pick you up at the hotel and airport? Is there a follow up? Do your medical records go directly to the doctor?
Quality of hospitals: Quality should be your greatest concern. There are world-class hospitals that surpass the quality and level of care in the United States. Hospital accreditations are a good place to start.
Member base: Are you travelling alone or with the power of members? There are companies that are membership based. This gives you far greater advantage when travelling, including no mark-ups on your procedure.
Communications: Are there transparent lines of communication between you, the doctor and the international patient coordinator? When it comes to your health, nothing should stand between you and your provider.
Money Transfer: I highly highly highly do not recommend travelling with cash or using credit cards to pay for your procedure. Carrying a large amount of cash puts you at risk, and credit card charges in foreign countries can be extremely high (as much as 18%). Always make sure you are paying the hospital directly.
Testimonials: Testimonials and references are always a must. This will put you at ease when it comes to seeing a new doctor. You can ask the company or the doctor directly for references.
This is just a guide to selecting your medical tourism company. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable with your medical tourism agent and your doctor.
I'm always happy to answer any questions when it comes to global healthcare. Please feel free to contact me. If you are new to medical tourism I will encourage you to start your search at http://medicaltourismconnection.com
Author: Tom Jung
Position: Manager of Field Operations, Curatio Global
Contact: tom.jung@curatioglobal.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_S_Jung

Marine Tourism Damage - The Causes, Effects and Solutions


Have you ever been to a beach filled with garbage, very little coral and even less fish? Unfortunately this beach wasn't always like this and it was brought to this state by none other than us. Tourism is a major threat to our marine life. It's generally the marine life that attracts us to go on these beach vacations however, it's these beach vacations that are ruining our marine life.
Coral reefs house 25% of the earths marine life, therefore it is in our best interests to protect the coral reefs in order to protect our marine life. There are many reason why reefs and their inhabitance are very important to us. They provide us with entertainment, food and even medicines.
Our idea of an ideal beach vacation consists of a radiating sun, a beautiful beach and crystal clear fish abundant waters. In order to keep this dream a reality we must protect our coral reefs. Snorkeling and diving sites are continually degrading in quality as fish and coral die out, leaving only stark white life less coral.
Throughout the last twenty years developing countries have increasingly marketed their tropical beaches which has lead to an increase in tourists and hotels along these tropical beaches. This is beneficial to the country as it helps to increase the countries GDP and employs the locals in these often remote areas. Unfortunately these developing countries may not be able to look forward to this income for too many more years to come as the increased tourism has drastically damaged the nature which tourists have come to see.
According to a criteria laid out by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature coral is the most endangered species on the earth. Coral is the basis of life for more than 25% of all marine species, without coral a massive amount of our marine life will become extinct. We already have a problem on our hands because ten years ago 2% of our coral was endangered whereas today around 30% of our coral is endangered (according to the Global Marine Species Assessment). This means something must be done today before the problem can get any worse.
One of the major reasons for this incredible damage to our underwater reefs is tourism. There are many ways in which tourism damages the basis of life for our fragile underwater ecosystem. Its damaged through water activities, pollution and transport.
If this article was useful you can find more information at http://marinetourism.scienceontheweb.net
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jordan_Mares_Manton

Japan Tourism Industry Recovering After 2011 Earthquake

Expert Author Kayla McBride


Japan tourism is usually a booming industry, with millions of foreign tourists from all around the world coming to visit. This is especially true in the month of April when the cherry blossoms are blooming and the weather is nice. This is not the case this year, because of a recent series of events that started with an 8.9 earthquake followed by a ten meter high tsunami. These two natural disasters killed tens of thousands of people, and then there was a problem with a radiation leak from the nuclear power plant. In the initial wake of these events many countries warned citizens not to go to Japan, and the number of tourists arriving in Japan dropped down to almost nothing. Instead foreign visitors were scrambling to leave the country, and the drastic decrease in tourism was predicted to last for many months.
In Japan tourism plays a big role in the economy of the country. While there are still some destinations which may not be the best possible location because there is still significant damage from the earthquake and tsunami, and the area around the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant is still not safe to enter, many places in this country are ready for tourists again. Since early March more than half a million hotel reservations in the country have been canceled, and residents of Japan are hoping that this trend will not continue. Without tourism dollars to help the economy Japan may face even more financial difficulties, and many countries are now encouraging citizens to go ahead with any planned visits to certain areas of Japan where it is considered safe.
Since the middle of April 2011 Japan tourism has started to pick up some, with a small number of visitors arriving and spending money on tourism in the country. Before the earthquake and tsunami the country had a targeted tourism goal of eleven million people, and they were well on the way to meeting this goal. Since the events of March 11, 2011 the decline in tourism has made this number impossible to meet. The industry has slowly started to recover though, and there are some tourists in the country who have recently arrived. China and other countries in the area have encouraged their citizens to travel to Japan as a tourist, because of the vital need that tourism fills in Japan. Every part of the economy in Japan has suffered because of the events on March 11, 2011, but tourism is cautiously increasing.
The full recovery of the Japan tourism industry has not happened yet, and this will take a significant amount of time. Optimism on the part of many tourists and efforts by the Japanese government to assure foreign visitors of their safety and comfort have both played a role towards helping the tourism industry recover some in this country. Right now the tourism income that is still being missed would significantly help Japan rebuild and recover from all of the events, and repair the damage that initially started with a massive earthquake.
Kayla McBride is one of the fellow article contributors of the travel informational website Travel Advisor Tips.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kayla_McBride

Ecotourism - Responsible and Sustainable Tourism


Eco-tourism
Responsible tourism means all tourism directly dependent on the use of natural life e.g. wildlife and landscape. Nature based tourism include eco-tourism and mass tourism. Uncontrolled mass tourism continues to contribute to the degradation of natural & cultural significance (commercialization of Culture) thus leading or causing loss of biological and cultural biodiversity, and important sources of income. Nature based tourism offers a way of financing unique ecosystems preservation. This provides opportunity for the community living near the protected areas to benefit economically e.g. employment opportunity. But Nature based tourism & travel while sustaining eco-system also degrades them. Much nature based tourism falls short of social responsibility to the local community.
Sustainable tourism is developed and managed in such a way that all tourism activities will focus on a heritage resource, natural and cultural which can be continued imminently and every effort is made to maintain the resource to perpetuity.
According to hector Ceballos-Lascurian (1983) ecotourism means "the tourism that involves travelling to relatively undisturbed natural area with the object of admiring, studying and enjoying the scenery and its wild plants and animals as well as cultural features found there."
Eco-tourism embraces four basic elements:-
• The natural environment as the primary attraction and the cultural environment playing a secondary role
• The sustainable use of the ecological and cultural environment.
• Focus on education and the interpretation of the resource
• Provision of the benefit to the host community
Tourism is about people and places where one group of people leave, visit and pass through places, the people who make the trip possible and the people encountered in the tour, it involves travellers, host communities and governments.
In tourism industry the destination is perhaps one of the most important elements. The destination region represents the raison d'tre for tourism and the tourist attraction at the destination generates the visit. Tourism product is consumed where it is produced (destination). Hence the destination comes under considerable pressure from high levels of demand focused both in time and at specific sites for example the warm East Africa, Indian Ocean coastal beaches during the northern hemisphere winter.
Tourist pressures can lead to alteration of the tourism resource and as tourism resource and as tourist demand continues to raise so have many destinations around the world succumbed to environmental degradation. The impact that some form of tourism development has on the environment has raised concern among environmentalist and other constituents. Therefore professional management and planning of destination are critical if tourism is to contribute to their conservation and to be perceived as an acceptable industry in a world whose survival is threatened.
Tourism demand unspoilt environment in which to operate. It is essential that tour operation should be developed and managed in such a way that as to protect the natural assets. We subscribe to the fact that the extent to which tourism is developed, planned and controlled in an orderly and coordinated manner will affect the long-term quality of the tourism product and subsequently the success of the hospitality Industry. While tourism can be a catalyst for development, it is important for the government agencies plan and develop tourism carefully so that the benefit can be optimized without creating social and environmental problems
Low impact forms of tourism counteracts the effects of mass tourism that poses a number of challenges on the resource base i.e. environment, society, and economy. Low impact forms of tourism create a balance between environment quality and resource utilization. This is mainly aimed at empowering local communities in managing their natural resources that is creating an incentive to conserve the biological resource in the environment by allowing the beneficial effects from tourism filter down to the individual families and households.
Alternative tourism is seen as forms of tourism that are consistent with natural social and community values and which allows both the host and the guest to enjoy positive and worthwhile interaction and shared experience it is also known variously as ecotourism, nature tourism sustainable tourism environmentally friendly, environmentally sensitive, ecological compatible ecologically sound or Green and eco-tour such as Walking tours, Birds Safari, Camel safaris Guided nature walks, horse riding safaris, bicycle tours, home and farm stays, youth tourism.
Many destinations marketed as responsible tourism does not consider the local community development, economical, social welfare and human rights. Indeed majority of them care less about the resource as long as it brings the "green bill ". There must be concern with staff and tourist education i.e. the expected visitors' behaviour. Thus in this, nature based tourism is formulated as sustainable development. The concept of set principles, Ties 1991 defined it as responsible travel to natural areas that conserve the environment and sustains the well being of the local people.
It is now fashionable to look at tourism development in the context of "sustainability" "alternative tourism" "green tourism" all of which have a particular meaning to different people but majority of this are just eco-labels or marketing and PR slongs. Sustainable tourism is that which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
author: Julius Koome
http://www.apsafari.com/pages/Ecotourism_.vrt
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julius_Koome_Muthuri

Top 10 Travel and Tourism Programs


With a travel and tourism degree, there are many different career paths you can take. Each travel and tourism course you take will help in your goal of becoming a travel agent, hotel manager, cruise ship event director, tour planner or other hospitality-related specialist. The following are considered to be the top 10 travel and tourism programs at colleges and universities in the United States:
  1. Johnson and Wales University: You can complete one of many four-year travel and tourism programs at campuses in Colorado, Florida, North Carolina or Rhode Island.
  2. University of Central Florida: Complete a certificate, a bachelor's or master's degree in hospitality management, and while you're at it complete an internship at one of the many local theme parks, resorts or hotels.
  3. University of Hawaii at Manoa: This island university offers a well-respected travel and tourism degree in four specializations. You will also be able to network and make connections with leaders in the travel and hospitality industry.
  4. Brigham Young University, Hawaii: BYU's Hawaii campus ranks #4 in U.S. News' list of comprehensive colleges for bachelor's degrees, and it's in the perfect location for internships and networking.
  5. University of New Hampshire: With a rich history, prime east coast location, small student body size and high educational standards, you'll be able to start your career path straight out of college.
  6. San Diego State University: This CSU campus with a freshmen retention rate of 81 percent is located in a popular U.S. travel destination with many hotels, resorts, travel agencies and cruise ship companies.
  7. University of Phoenix: This is one of the top online universities in the nation with numerous degree options including a BS in Business/Hospitality.
  8. Penn Foster Career School: If you're looking to start working as a travel and tourism specialist or hotel/restaurant manager, a career diploma from this school will put you on the right path.
  9. Walden University: This online university offers a BS in Business Admin-Management, MS in Leadership-General Management and Ph.D. in Mgmt that are ideal for the travel and tourism industry.
  10. American InterContinental University: With a Bachelor of Business Administration in Operations Management or MBA from this career-focused university, you'll be well on your way to the job of your dreams.
Find the perfect Travel and Tourism College today or Travel & Tourism Degree Programs and start your path to a rewarding career. CulinarySchoolsU.com offering complete information about top culinary art schools of USA that offers best culinary degrees in various disciplines.
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Sport Tourism - What It Is


Here's sport tourism explained. Love the idea of following your Football heroes to exotic destinations around the world while they fight it out to get hold of the World Cup? This is where Sport tourism comes in. This concept is not a new one. Since time immemorial, people have been following their favorite athletes around the world - be it for Olympics or for other gaming events.
Overview
But the difference was, in the olden days, it wasn't so convenient for travelers. They had to face a lot of hardship in order to see their favorite athletes play. The concept is rather different, in fact countries where these events are held - for Eg. China, where the Olympics were conducted last year- make it a point to ease the path of travelers to boost tourism.
Sport tourism and vacations need not just be about following your favorite athletes around the world. You can organize a little sports vacation for employees of your company to increase bonding between families. For example, you can fly out people to different destinations close by and hold a little baseball tournament for the athletes in your company! Trust me, it is a great way to enhance employee relationships. It also improves team work skills among employees.
Checklist
So what do you need in order to organize an event of such large proportions?
• Firstly, you need to decide on a proper venue wherein you can conduct your event. For this you need to get in touch with overseas sports clubs.
• You need a place which is catered specially for services like this. Sports tourism marketing is a hot new niche of tourism and certain places are building up an image which will help them cash in on this latest buzz by offering the best deals and accommodation facilities. You need to find out which ones they are.
• Next you will need to make proper accommodation arrangements for everyone involved - the team, administrative people, families of athletes and of course, the management and the big boss as well should he choose to grace the event! And we all know how careful we have to be while arranging accommodation.
• Online booking systems and other tools which will ensure a smooth ride for the athletes and people concerned.
• Suppliers of sports gear and other equipment are needed in the sporting events. You also have to ensure that your athletes get only the best quality stuff!
Sport Vacationing is becoming increasingly popular and many governments are sitting up and taking notice of this. In fact, in various places, there are links between the Government and Sporting wings so as to enrich this relatively new form of tourism. In order to organize sporting events, personnel involved must have management skills, coaching skills and the ability to promote tourism in their countries.
The basic idea of sport tourism is to organize sporting events and bring about a cultural exchange between visiting delegates and locals, thereby bring diverse people together; are you ready to be a part of it?
Visit our site to get the best deal on sport vacation destination. We have listed best information on sport vacation marketing.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ian_R_O_Clayton

History of Travel & Tourism

Expert Author Sarvajeet Chandra


2000 years Before Christ, in India and Mesopotamia
Travel for trade was an important feature since the beginning of civilisation. The port at Lothal was an important centre of trade between the Indus valley civilisation and the Sumerian civilisation.
600 BC and thereafter
The earliest form of leisure tourism can be traced as far back as the Babylonian and Egyptian empires. A museum of historic antiquities was open to the public in Babylon. The Egyptians held many religious festivals that attracted the devout and many people who thronged to cities to see famous works of arts and buildings.
In India, as elsewhere, kings travelled for empire building. The Brahmins and the common people travelled for religious purposes. Thousands of Brahmins and the common folk thronged Sarnath and Sravasti to be greeted by the inscrutable smile of the Enlightened One- the Buddha.
500 BC, the Greek civilisation
The Greek tourists travelled to sites of healing gods. The Greeks also enjoyed their religious festivals that increasingly became a pursuit of pleasure, and in particular, sport. Athens had become an important site for travellers visiting the major sights such as the Parthenon. Inns were established in large towns and seaports to provide for travellers' needs. Courtesans were the principal entertainment offered.
 
This era also saw the birth of travel writing. Herodotus was the worlds' first travel writer. Guidebooks also made their appearance in the fourth century covering destinations such as Athens, Sparta and Troy. Advertisements in the way of signs directing people to inns are also known in this period.
The Roman Empire
With no foreign borders between England and Syria, and with safe seas from piracy due to Roman patrols, the conditions favouring travel had arrived. First class roads coupled with staging inns (precursors of modern motels) promoted the growth of travel. Romans travelled to Sicily, Greece, Rhodes, Troy and Egypt. From 300 AD travel to the Holy Land also became very popular. The Romans introduced their guidebooks (itineraria), listing hotels with symbols to identify quality.
Second homes were built by the rich near Rome, occupied primarily during springtime social season. The most fashionable resorts were found around Bay of Naples. Naples attracted the retired and the intellectuals, Cumae attracted the fashionable while Baiae attracted the down market tourist, becoming noted for its rowdiness, drunkenness and all- night singing.
Travel and Tourism were to never attain a similar status until the modern times.
In the Middle Ages
Travel became difficult and dangerous as people travelled for business or for a sense of obligation and duty.
Adventurers sought fame and fortune through travel. The Europeans tried to discover a sea route to India for trade purposes and in this fashion discovered America and explored parts of Africa. Strolling players and minstrels made their living by performing as they travelled. Missionaries, saints, etc. travelled to spread the sacred word.
Leisure travel in India was introduced by the Mughals. The Mughal kings built luxurious palaces and enchanting gardens at places of natural and scenic beauty (for example Jehangir travelled to Kashmir drawn by its beauty.
Travel for empire building and pilgrimage was a regular feature.
The Grand Tour
From the early seventeenth century, a new form of tourism was developed as a direct outcome of the Renaissance. Under the reign of Elizabeth 1, young men seeking positions at court were encouraged to travel to continent to finish their education. Later, it became customary for education of gentleman to be completed by a 'Grand Tour' accompanied by a tutor and lasting for three or more years. While ostensibly educational, the pleasure seeking men travelled to enjoy life and culture of Paris, Venice or Florence. By the end of eighteenth century, the custom had become institutionalised in the gentry. Gradually pleasure travel displaced educational travel. The advent of Napoleonic wars inhibited travel for around 30 years and led to the decline of the custom of the Grand Tour.
The development of the spas
The spas grew in popularity in the seventeenth century in Britain and a little later in the European Continent as awareness about the therapeutic qualities of mineral water increased. Taking the cure in the spa rapidly acquired the nature of a status symbol. The resorts changed in character as pleasure became the motivation of visits. They became an important centre of social life for the high society.
In the nineteenth century they were gradually replaced by the seaside resort.
The sun, sand and sea resorts
The sea water became associated with health benefits. The earliest visitors therefore drank it and did not bathe in it. By the early eighteenth century, small fishing resorts sprung up in England for visitors who drank and immersed themselves in sea water. With the overcrowding of inland spas, the new sea side resorts grew in popularity. The introduction of steamboat services in 19th century introduced more resorts in the circuit. The seaside resort gradually became a social meeting point
 Role of the industrial revolution in promoting travel in the west
 The rapid urbanisation due to industrialisation led to mass immigration in cities. These people were lured into travel to escape their environment to places of natural beauty, often to the countryside they had come from change of routine from a physically and psychologically stressful jobs to a leisurely pace in countryside.
Highlights of travel in the nineteenth century 
·        Advent of railway initially catalysed business travel and later leisure travel. Gradually special trains were chartered to only take leisure travel to their destinations.
·        Package tours organised by entrepreneurs such as Thomas Cook.
·        The European countries indulged in a lot of business travel often to their colonies to buy raw material and sell finished goods.
·        The invention of photography acted as a status-enhancing tool and promoted overseas travel.
·        The formation of first hotel chains; pioneered by the railway companies who established great railway terminus hotels.
·        Seaside resorts began to develop different images as for day-trippers, elite, for gambling.
·        Other types of destinations-ski resorts, hill stations, mountaineering spots etc.
·        The technological development in steamships promoted travel between North America and Europe.
·        The Suez Canal opened direct sea routes to India and the Far East.
·        The cult of the guidebook followed the development of photography.


Tourism in the Twentieth Century

The First World War gave first hand experience of countries and aroused a sense of curiosity about international travel among less well off sector for the first time. The large scale of migration to the US meant a lot of travel across the Atlantic. Private motoring began to encourage domestic travel in Europe and the west.  The sea side resort became annual family holiday destination in Britain and increased in popularity in other countries of the west. Hotels proliferated in these destinations.
The birth of air travel and after
The wars increased interest in international travel. This interest was given the shape of mass tourism by the aviation industry. The surplus of aircrafts and growth of private airlines aided the expansion of air travel. The aircraft had become comfortable, faster and steadily cheaper for overseas travel. With the introduction of Boeing 707 jet in 1958, the age of air travel for the masses had arrived. The beginning of chartered flights boosted the package tour market and led to the establishment of organised mass tourism. The Boeing 747, a 400 seat craft, brought the cost of travel down sharply. The seaside resorts in the Mediterranean, North Africa and the Caribbean were the initial hot spots of mass tourism.
A corresponding growth in hotel industry led to the establishment of world-wide chains. Tourism also began to diversify as people began to flock alternative destinations in the 70s. Nepal and India received a throng of tourists lured by Hare Krishna movement and transcendental meditation. The beginning of individual travel in a significant volume only occurred in the 80s. Air travel also led to a continuous growth in business travel especially with the emergence of the MNCs.
Sarvajeet Chandra writes on issues that are usually brushed under the carpet, or are too everyday-ish for high street strategists. He writes on making strategic plan robust, how to execute strategy well and other tactical issues for everyday business success.
Occasionally he writes on insights and history of various indutries like travel, real estate, hospitality etc. Please visit his company website at [http://sapphirez.co.in]
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Expansion of Medical Tourism in India


Medical Tourism is a recent concept that has gained much popularity and attention in the past one decade. It refers to the tourist trend of foreign nationals visiting other countries, on the pretext of availing their medical facilities, while also taking the opportunity to travel and sightseeing. India has become a major global center for medical tourism, with over 2 lakh people visiting the country each year with the primary objective of getting medical procedures done.
Medical tourism in India has attained huge proportions with the development of health facilities in the country. With the dawn of the new millennium and century, the federal government took various measures to uplift the standards of healthcare facilities, thus encouraging private initiatives as well. Since then, the proportion of tourists visiting India for different kinds of remedial treatment has been on a constant rise. In fact, it is estimated that by 2015, the south Asian country would have achieved a 30 percent annual growth rate in terms of its expanding medical tourism industry.
One of the main reasons for the rise of medical tourism in India is that it is much more cost effective for foreigners and NRI, medical expenses in India are roughly 25 percent less than what such individuals may have to bear in their own respective countries. Coupled with the modern and updated infrastructure that has been acquired by most private hospitals, and some government undertakings, relatively inexpensive treatment attracts a large number of people, particularly from the US and UK.
Another factor that allows foreigners to consider India as a viable option for medical tourism is that there is absence of the language barrier. In present times, a large majority of at least the service class in India is fairly fluent in English, if not a particularly proficient at it. Moreover, with the education system that India follows, there is little doubt that the doctors, surgeons and specialists are sufficiently qualified for providing specialized health services. The Indian medical industry is very advanced to the extent of having world renowned experts that are specialized in the various subfields that target different aspects of human health-- from cardiologists, pulmonologists and rheumatologists to gynecologists, nephrologists and surgeons with varied specializations, India has a wealth of medical whizzes that can help treat all.
Apart from the diverse range of medical expertise and high quality health services that India has to offer, the monumental scope for sightseeing in India further gives an impetus to medical tourism. Rich in culture, with a fascinating history and traditional vein, the country provides an opportunity for widespread exploratory tour and travelling.
With the boom that India medical tour is witnessing, various tourist agents have capitalized upon the opportunity for monetary gains it presents. In fact, many such agents have begun offering special economy-packages for those visiting India for such purposes. As this trend of medical tourism assumes greater prominence in India, there is much to gain for both - those seeking medical help as well as the host country that provides these health services.
Alok K Rana is a freelance writer whose major area of focus is travel. His articles on different travel topics like India vacation and India medical tourism guide are published on various online platforms.
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Fertility Tourism


Fertility or reproductive tourism is a form of medical tourism, but involves traveling to a foreign country for the sole purpose of fertility treatments. The treatment sought could be in-vitro fertilization (IVF), donor sperm insemination or the implantation of donor eggs. The drive behind fertility tourism is not just the anguish of infertility; legal and financial reasons are also present.
According to an article on Medscape, "Seeking IVF Abroad: Medical Tourism for Infertile Couples", approximately 25,000 couples around the world annually seek reproductive assistance overseas. The international trends for fertility tourism are interesting, to say the least. Israel and Lebanon are each listed as having the most fertility clinics per capita in the world, yet most Europeans needing assistance with fertility choose the US for their needs. In Canada it is illegal to pay a donor for sperm or eggs, so most couples also head to the US. Women in Germany, Italy, Sweden and Austria head to Spain or the US for egg implantation because it is illegal to donate eggs in their countries. Conversely, according to a study done on cross-border fertility services by the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, 40% of US women seeking IVF head to India or Asia. The burning question is why? If people are leaving the US for fertility treatments, why are so many others are heading there for the same reasons?
One answer seems to be in the donor laws. Apparently the regulations for donors, insemination, and recipients is more lax in the US than in other areas of the world. That is not to say it is irresponsible, just not as stringent as it could be. There is also a wider realm of donors to choose from, perhaps for reasons of population or simply because payment is received for donations. There is a high demand for donors with no problems in their genetic history, perfect eyesight, a successful post-secondary education and certain desirable physical characteristics. Particularly sought out are donors with a Scandinavian heritage, mostly for the chance of the resulting child having blonde hair and blue eyes. Many women from European and Asian countries head to the US or Denmark for insemination because they are two of the very few countries in the world that allow unmarried women to be inseminated.
Another draw to the US for those seeking assistance with fertility is pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). It is also commonly known as embryo screening and refers to a process which detects a specific disease in an embryo that may be at risk. For example, if there is a family history of dwarfism, a PGD can take place to ascertain if the embryo contains an active Dwarfism gene. The procedure was designed to prevent selective pregnancy termination, as the screening occurs before implantation. It is not appropriate for gender selection.
So why are couples leaving the US and heading to Asian countries for their fertility needs? Cost. Even with travel and accommodation expenses included, IVF is considerably cheaper in India, Asia and the Middle East. The familycommcenter.org reports the average cost of insemination in the US sits around $12,000US, but in India the cost is about half that. In India and the Middle East, the doctors have received training in Western medical schools and use the most current technology. There are restrictions though. Only heterosexual married couples can have insemination performed, and only with their own egg and sperm samples. Donor samples are not permitted. Surrogacy is also not allowed. In Asia, particularly Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore, fertility tourism is treated much the same as traditional tourism. Some hospitals are outfitted like a hotel, and package trips can be arranged.
Deciding to travel to a foreign country for a medical procedure is a fairly hefty decision. The cost alone is significant. Researching local laws and medical norms will be important. Finding reputable recommendations on appropriate clinics, doctors, terminology and procedural differences between countries will be of paramount importance. In the end, it may be safest for Americans to obtain their fertility treatment in the US, and leave fertility tourism to others coming to the US for the wide range of options offered in this country.
European Sperm Bank has the highest quality donor clinics in the world, simply because of our extremely comprehensive screening process. In addition to age, education, criminal background check, personality analysis, we also check 4 generations of medical history. For more information about becoming a sperm donor, please visit us at european sperm bank usa
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Fredrik_Andreasson

Health Tourism in India


Health Tourism is a concept where a patient travels to another country for medical treatment in order to save costs, or get treatment faster or even to avail of better medical facilities. Most patients from countries like USA and UK travel to developing countries such as India for treatment because India offers some of te cheapest pricing options of treatment, offers a good holiday, there are no waiting lists or queues to stand in, the doctors are comparable to anyone in the world and finally, language does not pose a problem as most people speak English.
Why would someone travel to India and not to Thailand?
Although the cost difference between treatment in India and Thailand is not much, India offers what you call a language advantage - a patient would surely prefer a country where English is widely spoken. Also, it is believed that the facilities in India are more suited for International patients.
India is also working hard to increase it's infrastructure to better suit the needs of patients coming to India for treatments such as heart surgey, knee replacement, other orthopaedic treatments, cosmetic surgery, eye care, dental treatment or any other treatment for that matter. This is one of the primary fields which India intends to explore during the coming years.
How can you trust Indian Doctors?
Well, many highly qualified doctors have had some form of training from abroad , specially USA and UK. Indian surgeons and doctors are known for their skill and research throughout the world.
India has over 150000 medical tourists each year and this figure is rising at a high pace. Some recent programs recently on BBC and CNBC have reinstated the fact that medical tourism is a good idea if - you want to save costs, you need the treatment to be done at your time and convenience, you need a high quality budget incorporated.
For more information on health tourism options in India, please visit [http://www.indiamedicaltourism.net]
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nakul_Jain

Tourism Marketing Is Not Like All the Other Industry Sectors - Book Review

Expert Author Lance Winslow


One of the smartest things a city can do is to invite people to come and spend money. It helps if there is a compelling reason such as world class museums, historical cultural attractions, excellent weather, great food, great accommodations, corporate meeting facilities, and/or recreational stuff to do. But that's just a start, as there needs to be a cohesive plan, and each business needs to grab onto that theme and create marketing and branding synergy.
Ah yes, easier said than done, and anyone in this sector knows it, but that doesn't make it impossible. As a retired franchisor who has set up franchisees servicing customers in 400 cities and 23-states, I've seen it done right, and yes, I've also seen what happens when it is done wrong. Today, I am retired in a region with 150 golf courses, and visitors from around the world come to spend their various currencies in our city. "Excellent indeed," I say, but it didn't happen by accident, no sir-ree.
If you run a business in the hospitality industry, or the travel or tourism industry, then there is a very good book that I'd like to recommend to you about marketing. It is a book that I own in my personal business library, and one you should too if you are serious. The name of the book is;
"Marketing in Travel and Tourism" by Victor T.C. Middleton with Jackie Clarke, Butterworth and Heinemann a Division of Reed Publishers, Woburn, MA, (2001) Third Edition, 487 Pages, ISBN: 0-7506-4471-0.
It is important to learn the five main sectors which surround the travel and tourism industry. You will begin to understand issues with supply and demand, and how you can affect buying behavior, referrals, and introduce branding to your area. You will learn how to mathematically calculate the amount of sales and tax revenue garnered from various businesses within the tourism industry in your region. Becoming a destination spot is not easy, but it is possible.
A coordinated effort is needed between airlines, hotels, taxicabs, and major attractions. The book also explains how to create an economic development association which brings money into your area. And, then how to reinvest some of that money to create an ongoing synergy and get your region firing on all cylinders. Right now with the economic conditions the way they are, I can't think of a better book for the economic tourist committee members to read. This is why am recommending this book to you right now, and hope you'll please consider all.
Lance Winslow is an Online Author, his latest eBook about Boat Detailing is now available in the "Lance Winslow Small Business Series" titled; "How to Start a Boat Cleaning Business" (a Nook Book available at the Barnes and Noble Website). Lance Winslow is semi-retired and Founder of the Online Think Tank http://www.WorldThinkTank.net - You may contact Lance Winslow by email for dialogue, discourse, discussion, or debate on interesting topics.
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Travel and Tourism Online - Learning From a Distance

Expert Author Renata McGee


A lot goes into traveling outside the actual trip. The plan to get to a destination is only a small detail when compared to the overall experience of a vacation or business trip. Online colleges offer training in travel and tourism for the individual who wants to think and do all the necessary things that go into planning a trip. Prospective students can earn a degree online and be working with clients to help them get the most of their money when traveling.
There are a variety of benefits from attending school online.
  • Learning from a distance allows individuals to choose their study pace and take classes inside the comfort of their own home.
  • Online schooling in travel and tourism permits students to study on days that are set by them not the college or program.
  • Students have the ability to complete all the phases of education without the hassle of commuting to a campus everyday.
  • This is a high advantage for disabled individuals who are unable to commute to a campus and attend classes.
More colleges and universities are adding online degree programs in travel and tourism, which is enabling students to gain a better education with higher degree choices than a certificate program or associate's degree.Prospective students have numerous choices when it comes to education programs. Students have the option to gain an education from accredited online colleges and universities starting at an associate's degree in travel and tourism to a master in business administration for hospitality and tourism management. The opportunities for students to gain an online education in this field is widening and programs are preparing students in numerous ways. Through coursework students will learn about:
  • sales techniques
  • travel destinations
  • bookkeeping
  • reservation systems
An online degree in this area could provide the best career preparation and have graduates working in many different aspects of travel and tourism.Travel agents have more responsibility to their clients than just booking travel and securing them a discount. The job description for a travel agent encompasses the entire trip whether it's for leisure or business. A travel agent will arrange:
  • transportation
  • hotel
  • food options
  • tours
  • entertainment
Whatever a client is looking for in regards to their trip a travel agent will spend time getting the best discounts, looking up travel packages, and exploring what activities the destination has to offer their client. Along with the above responsibilities an agent will be the number one source on things like the weather, local customs for international travel, site attractions, money exchange rates, and more.A new trend is developing for individuals who gain a travel and tourism degree through an online school. More students are becoming specialists in a particular area. Meaning they are choosing to become highly knowledgeable in one area like a culture, destination, or interest. This type of travel and tourism agent is particularly useful for clients who are traveling internationally. Becoming a specialist will require the student to learn the customs and in some cases the languages of a chosen location. With increasing demands on travel agents from their clients, gaining a degree in the field is becoming extremely important.
Use your passion for travel and exotic destinations to start your career training online. Accredited schools provide the best quality education. There are numerous agencies like the Distance Education and Training Council (www.detc.org) that provide full accreditation to educational programs. Students can research accredited colleges that offer a degree distinction that fits their goals and begin working towards their personalized career in the hospitality industry.
DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERIC OUTLINE and may or may not depict precise methods, courses and/or focuses related to ANY ONE specific school(s) that may or may not be advertised at PETAP.org.
Copyright 2010 - All rights reserved by PETAP.org.
Renata McGee is a staff writer for PETAP.org. Locate Online Travel and Tourism Schools providing the education you're looking for at PETAP.org, your Partners in Education and Tuition Assistance Programs.
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