Job Title: Medical Tourism Section Head
Sector: Tourism
Department: Tourism Products Development
Section: Medical Tourism
Direct Manager: Tourism Products Development Department Director
Job Purpose
Execute the developed health tourism strategy (medical and wellness tourism) for Abu Dhabi. Attract medical and wellness tourists to the country, collaborating with stakeholders such as DCT, DOH, hospitals, hotels and other stakeholders to improve the quality of the overall health tourism offering in Abu Dhabi and increase the number of health tourists to the Emirate, to ultimately create an exceptional experience for health tourists to Abu Dhabi.
Key Responsibilities
Medical Tourism
- Ensure the successful execution of the Medical Tourism strategy to drive medical tourism to Abu Dhabi.
- Collaborate with hospitals to create attractive and competitive medical packages for tourists.
- Work with tour operators and destination management companies to further repackage the medical packages into broader packages including other aspects for tourists e.g. accommodation, transportation, etc.
- Organize road shows and attend different exhibitions and/or conferences, as required.
- Identify and establish collaborations with key stakeholders in the healthcare sector to enhance Abu Dhabis reputation as a premier medical tourism destination.
- Leverage contacts and relationships within the healthcare ecosystem to serve as the main point of contact for developing Abu Dhabi into a premier medical tourism destination.
- Lead update sessions with a working group of internal and external stakeholders and provide progress updates to management. Stakeholders, but not limited to, might include DoH, selected hospitals, DCT, ADEO.
- Report progress against targets and initiatives to DCT Leadership.
- Prepare yearly budget and execution plan.
- Roll out initiatives aligned with the medical tourism strategy to enhance Abu Dhabis position in the global health tourism market.
- Work closely with the marketing team to develop and implement effective marketing campaigns targeting medical tourists, leveraging the internally developed medical tourism strategy to highlight focus specialties, key source markets and main healthcare providers in Abu Dhabi.
- Drive marketing initiatives through various channels such as digital marketing, social media, print media, and partnerships, to promote medical tourism.
- Conduct market research to identify emerging trends, market demands, and competitor analysis in the health tourism industry.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders such as international healthcare organizations, travel agencies, and tour operators to expand Abu Dhabis reach in the global health tourism market.
- Stay updated with the latest advancements and developments in medical tourism, attending relevant conferences, workshops, and industry events.
- Close deals with healthcare stakeholders to establish partnerships and collaborations that strengthen the health tourism offerings in Abu Dhabi.
Wellness
- Ensure the successful execution of the Wellness Tourism strategy to drive wellness tourism to Abu Dhabi.
- Collaborate with hotels and potentially hospitals to create attractive and competitive wellness packages for tourists.
- Conduct sales calls, lead road show organization, and organize and attend different exhibitions, as required.
- Identify and establish collaborations with key stakeholders in the hospitality sector to enhance Abu Dhabis reputation as a premier wellness tourism destination.
- Lead update sessions with a working group of internal and external stakeholders and provide progress updates to management. Stakeholders, but not limited to, might include different hotels, DoH, selected hospitals, DCT, ADEO.
- Report progress against targets and initiatives to DCT Leadership.
- Prepare yearly budget and execution plan.
- Research, identify, and evaluate potential wellness events, conferences, and exhibitions that align with the citys objectives, and facilitate their introduction to the city.
- Work closely with the marketing team to develop and implement effective marketing campaigns targeting wellness tourists.
- Drive marketing initiatives through various channels such as digital marketing, social media, print media, and partnerships, to promote wellness tourism.
- Conduct market research to identify emerging trends, market demands, and competitor analysis in the health tourism industry.
- Identify opportunities to develop and promote medi-wellness and wellness products in collaboration with local businesses and service providers.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders such as international healthcare organizations, travel agencies, and tour operators to expand Abu Dhabis reach in the global health tourism market.
- Stay updated with the latest advancements and developments in wellness tourism, attending relevant conferences, workshops, and industry events.
- Close deals with wellness stakeholders to establish partnerships and collaborations that strengthen the wellness tourism offerings in Abu Dhabi.
Shared Activities
Strategic Contribution
- Ensure effective cascading of the functional strategy into section business plans to ensure vertical alignment and horizontal integration with other interfacing sectional strategies.
People Management
- Manage the effective achievement of assigned objectives through the leadership of the Section by setting of individual objectives, managing performance, developing and motivating staff to maximize performance.
- Lead the talent development initiatives for the assigned section, collaborating with technical/discipline experts and thereby ensure the availability of talent to fit business requirements.
- Act as a role model and drive adherence to organizational values and ethics by employees of the assigned section to foster a value driven culture within the organization.
Budgeting and Financial Planning
- Manage the preparation and recommend the section budget and monitor financial performance versus the budget while ensuring all sectional activities are conducted in line with the approved guidelines.
Policies, Systems, Processes & Procedures
- Manage and ensure effective implementation of functional policies, procedures and controls covering all areas of assigned section activity so that all relevant procedural/legislative requirements are fulfilled while delivering a quality, cost-effective service.
Continuous Improvement
- Lead the identification of opportunities for continuous improvement and sustainability of systems, processes and practices considering global standards, productivity improvement and cost reduction.
EHS
- Adhere to the DCT Occupational Safety and Health policy, regulations, and laws, and provide help to the Corporate EHS in executing the OSHMS.
- Report any incidents, near misses, occupational illnesses, unsafe practices, and conditions immediately to the concerned person and participate in the investigation of OSH incidents, as required.
Qualifications
- Bachelors degree in business, strategy, tourism, hospitality management, marketing, or a related field. Masters degree preferred.
- Proven 8-10 experience in health tourism, medical tourism, or related industries, with a track record of driving successful initiatives.
- Experience in healthcare consultancy, demonstrating a deep understanding of healthcare systems and strategic advisory preferred.
- Strong understanding of the healthcare industry, including medical procedures, treatments, wellness offerings, and wellness services.
- Understanding of the healthcare ecosystem in the UAE, especially in Abu Dhabi, with contacts and relationships in the main players in the ecosystem
Experience
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to establish effective collaborations and build relationships, including at senior levels, with public sector organizations, hospitals, hotels, and other stakeholders.
- Proficiency in market research, data analysis, and strategic planning.
- Creative thinking and ability to develop innovative ideas to attract medical and wellness tourists.
- Familiarity with digital marketing strategies and tools for promoting tourism destinations.
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
- Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required.
- Full proficiency in English required and proficiency in Arabic preferred.
