Medical Tourism Association® Recognizes Orlando as ‘Emerging Destination of Year’

ORLANDO, Fla. - Oct. 6, 2015 - PRLog -- Already the nation’s most visited destination and a city known throughout the world as home not only to Mickey Mouse, but thousands of meeting and conventions annually, Orlando has been recognized as the Medical Tourism Emerging Destination of the Year, the Medical Tourism Association® announced.

Visit Orlando, the city’s tourism arm and source for travel planning, is reinventing the popular vacation spot in Central Florida as a prime destination for medical tourism, said Renée-Marie Stephano (http://www.medicaltourismcongress.com/renee-marie-stephano-jd/), president of the Medical Tourism Association® (http://www.medicaltourismassociation.com/en/index.html), at the 4^th annual awards ceremony during the 8^th World Medical Tourism and Global Healthcare Congress, Sept. 27-30, 2015, in Orlando, Fla.

“Top-notch healthcare in Orlando remains an important reason why many people -- including an ever-present and growing senior population -- buy homes, rentals and retirement properties and start businesses in the region,” said Stephano. “Today, those same hospitals and some of the unique specialty treatments they offer are the impetus behind a new generation of tourists -- both domestic and international -- who are coming to Orlando for not only fun in the sun, but also for medical attention they can’t get anywhere else at the time and price they want.”

As Visit Orlando continues to open new markets and grow overall visitation beyond the record-breaking 62 million visitors in 2014, health and wellness seekers and medical conventions are targeted to leverage tourism and enhance the economic prosperity and quality of life for residents in the nation’s 26^th largest metropolitan area.

After decades of promoting Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and Florida’s beaches and cruise ships, all eyes are repositioning on Orlando, where nearly 20 percent of all events booked in the city are for medical meetings. Orlando is not only a center of international tourism, but is fast-becoming a renowned location for health and wellness travelers.

Medical research and modeling, simulation and training are also gaining momentum; thanks, in part, to Medical City, a 650-acre health and life sciences park, which is developing into a premier location for medical procedures, research and education. Because of its cluster of healthcare and bioscience facilities, Medical City is establishing an intersection of innovation and a global model for progress, making Orlando an international destination for healthcare.

The World Medical Tourism & Global Healthcare Congress accepts nominations to honor leadership, innovation, education, service and top facilities and destinations in the care and treatment of both international- and domestic-traveling patients. Stakeholders who make up the billion-dollar medical tourism industry are encouraged to forward news of tremendous performances that recognize customer-focused care, international quality and standards, patient safety and satisfaction, effective leadership and state-of-the-art technology within the calendar year 2015-2016. For complete information about award categories and the nominating process for significant contributions by staff, colleagues and facilities and organizations, go to: www.medicaltourismawards.com

The Medical Tourism Association® is host to the world’s largest medical tourism event: The 9th annual World Medical Tourism & Global Healthcare Congress, Sept. 25-28, 2016, in Washington, D.C. Participants, sponsors and invited speakers can keep abreast of Congress updates at www.MedicalTourismCongress.com. The association’s business-to-business educational platform regarding all industry information and up-to-date news can be found at www.MedicalTourismMagazine.com and social network at www.MedicalTourismCity.com

About the Medical Tourism Association®
As the first membership-based international nonprofit trade organization and think-tank for the medical tourism and healthcare industries, the Medical Tourism Association® develops and implements creative and sustainable strategies for attracting direct foreign investments. The MTA provides advisory services to investors researching the industry and matches these financiers with medical tourism-related projects. www.MedicalTourismAssociation.com