Expert View
The UAE’s medical tourism industry raked in $3.29 billion in 2018 and is projected to hit a staggering $53.5 billion by 2028, with an annual growth rate of over 20 percent.
Dubai tops the charts as the region’s number one medical tourism destination. To keep up with this demand, the Hilshaw Group is developing a sustainable, community-driven holistic wellness village in the UAE, integrating healthcare, wellness, and tourism.
Featuring yoga studios, meditation centers, spas, organic food cafes, green spaces, and community gardens, the holistic wellness village offers visitors a unique and immersive wellness experience that promotes relaxation, rejuvenation, and self-improvement through a variety of holistic wellness practices.
The project will be funded through carbon offsets and credits, minimizing its carbon footprint. The village will also implement sustainable design features, including solar panels, to use renewable energy sources.
The Hilshaw Group is committed to involving local communities in the development and management of the wellness village, creating job opportunities for locals and sourcing local produce and materials. Involving local communities will showcase the UAE’s unique culture and traditions, providing visitors with an authentic and immersive experience.
With 221 accredited hospitals, medical centers, and health facilities, the UAE ranked first globally in terms of accredited health facilities. The Hilshaw Group is selecting operators who are experts in various wellness facets to ensure visitors access high-quality wellness services. The operators will manage and operate various wellness facilities within the village, including yoga studios, meditation centers, spas, and organic food cafes.
“As the demand for wellness tourism skyrockets, we’re not just building a village – we’re building a sustainable oasis that empowers local communities and inspires a new standard of social and environmental responsibility. With our holistic approach, we’re setting a new benchmark for wellness tourism in the UAE.”
The Hilshaw Group’s sustainable, community-driven approach to developing the wellness village sets a new standard for sustainable tourism in the UAE. The project has the potential to inspire other projects to follow suit, positioning the UAE as a leading destination for health and wellness tourism while promoting environmental and social responsibility. The time has come for the UAE to take a hard-hitting approach to sustainable tourism development, and the Hilshaw Group is leading the charge.
Dr Lal Bhatia is chairman of Hilshaw Group.
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