Guideline to Medical Tourism Management in Songkla Province for Asian Economy Community

Abstract

There are two objectives in the study of guideline to medical tourism management at Songkla province including 1) to study the need of medical tourism in Songkla province 2) to study medical tourism management in Songkla province. The research methodology was divide into two parts, i.e. demand and supply, in terms of demand, the research selected quantitative research in order to study about the need of medical tourists. The sample in this study is 400 medical foreign tourists in Songkla province, and the research tool is a questionnaire. The data analyzed by a computer program in terms of social sciences. All indicators were summarized in order priority. In terms of supply, the research used qualitative research. The sample is 20 government staff and medical tourists in Songkla province, and the research tool is a focus group. The study found that the foreign tourists mostly needs medical services. In additional, have statistical non significance difference at 0.05 between sexes ages and statuses with the need of medical tourism. On the other hand, have statistical significance difference at 0.05 between occupations and incomes with the need of medical tourism. Furthermore, guidelines to medical tourism management in Songkla province for Asian Economy including, government medical and privacy medical should be enhance the quality and service by certified the Joint Commission International Accreditation USA).