Twelve apostles and penguins have become abandoned projects on a dream holiday trip to Australia for Chinese tourists, compared with the desire to go to St Vincent's Hospital.
(photo source: Herald Sun)
In China, where patients have to wait 24 hours in public hospitals for counseling, or pay high fees in private clinics, difficult conditions are prompting them to travel to Australia for their medical needs.
Health travel organizer Garry Burns says middle-class Chinese tourists usually take medical tests while vacationing in Japan, the United States and even Thailand, but they have begun to look to Australia.
Chinese tourists flock to St Vincent's Hospital (photo source: Herald Sun)
"this is a new area for Australia, but there are also nearly 100 million Chinese looking for medical travel and the demand is high," Burns said.
"in China, there is a very tense lifestyle, they are busy 24 hours a day, fierce competition, long commuting hours, long working hours. They are looking for a healthier lifestyle, a demand that has changed their travel habits. "
Their health vacation begins with a diagnosis and treatment appointment, and they make an appointment at Executive Health Solutions Clinic at St Vincent's Hospital in Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane.
In these hospitals, they undergo a series of tests, including blood pressure, chest radiography, abdominal ultrasound, bowel cancer tests and blood tests. Men can be examined for prostate cancer and women can be examined for breast X-rays.
(photo source: Herald Sun)
The results of the inspection came out in 24 hours.
"there is a key selling point here," he said. "in China, they have to wait a long time to see a doctor and then consult for less than 10 minutes, but in Australia, they have at least an hour of consultation time."
"they will have a Chinese translator with them for comprehensive consultation."
Health tourism is the fastest-growing industry in China, with 33 percent growth over the past two years, said Burns, head of Gaibo Agency.
There are 10 million yoga practitioners in China, but yoga is one of their favorite activities on a health trip to Australia, with a service package costing A $3000 a week.
"they want to experience another culture and like the fresh air here," he said.
"they go to Peninsula Hot Springs or Hepburn Spa to enjoy the spa experience, and we design packages for them that include lifestyle guidance, meditation and spa, and they especially like healthy food. It also attaches great importance to the high quality food and wine here. "
(photo source: Herald Sun)
From buses full of tourists to independent travelers, this is another shift in China`s tourism industry.
With improved language barriers and increased confidence, 70% of Chinese tourists now travel independently.
Most people who come to Australia for health are between the ages of 25 and 45. Since the launch of the package earlier this year, women have become the main drivers of this trend.
"this is` female economic`," he said.
"there are a lot of young women here to experience health while on vacation."
