The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, in partnership with Broward Health, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Memorial Healthcare System, and Holy Cross Hospital, recently hosted the first-ever Sunny Health SUNsational Training at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center. The group welcomed local hoteliers to learn about medical tourism in Broward County and provided information on what the hospitality community’s role is in welcoming and growing visitors in this travel sector.
Sunny Health is a collaborative initiative between the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, the hospitality community, and medical facilities in Broward County to offer medical services in a therapeutic setting, and provide accommodation resources for patients and their traveling companions. Since 2014, more than 30,000 medical tourism room nights have been booked in the destination due to this effort. Each year, these hospitals will treat anywhere from 1,500 to 5,000 international cases. Greater Fort Lauderdale provides medical care in a relaxed environment, as patients boost their recovery time amidst plenty of sunshine and calming sea breezes. Hoteliers are instrumental to the patient experience in the destination. Top requests from international patients include proximity to medical centres, brand loyalty/points for hotels, and extended stay options (flexibility). “Our hospitality team members create wow experiences for all destination visitors, so they welcome our medical tourists with that same exceptional service, as well as with empathy,” said Stacy Ritter, president and CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We applaud Broward Health, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Memorial Healthcare System, and Holy Cross Hospital for taking a leadership role and engaging with our hospitality team members to further collaborate in growing this travel sector in Broward County.” Greater Fort Lauderdale hospitals and medical facilities offer comprehensive plans to welcome and care for international patients, before they arrive, during and after their stay. The planning and preparation cycle includes (but is not limited to) assistance with permits to travel, as well as travel arrangements including special needs such as oxygen, hotel accommodations including post-discharge needs such as nursing assistance, and language assistance such as an interpreter.