ACF provides a venue for government ministers from the Western Hemisphere to come together with leaders from the private sector, academia, and non-governmental organizations, to explore innovative ideas and practices in specific areas of competitiveness, to develop new avenues for economic prosperity in the region.

Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez - Americas Competitiveness Forum

The upbeat atmosphere was punctuated with the flurry of successful cross-continent networking for business and tourism development.

Jeff Senior, V-P of Marketing and Sales for Fairmont Hotels and Resorts noted that their next opportunity for growth is South America.

Dawn Drew, V-P and Publisher, National Geographic Traveler magazine, framed the importance of countries funding advertising and marketing efforts to  promote their tourism industry.  Her experience has proven that educated and informed consumers gravitate towards affordable, sustainable travel.

His Excellency Alvaro Uribe Velez, President of the Republic of Colombia, His Excellency Elias Antonio Saca Gonzales, President of the Republic of El Salvador, and His Excellency Alvaro Colom Caballeros, President of the Republic of Guatemala offered frank and compelling rational for business development in their countries.

Columbia – His Excellency Alvaro Uribe Velez, President of the Republic of Colombia

The dynamic President Uribe of the Republic of Columbia presented a persuasive pitch for luring tourism to his country. Uribe, obviously driven to create economic prosperity via the development of tourism and industry; readily acknowledged that their first priority was to make Columbia a safe destination.

President Uribe highlighted a comprehensive government initiative to court industry and tourism. The Columbian government introduced a series of zero (0) taxes for foreign development and expansion of hotels.  Consequently, Columbia is enjoying the advent of tens of thousands of new hotel rooms and building development.

The country launched tourism schools to instruct their citizens in graces of the industry and in serving a variety of cultures.  A bilingual system has been integrated in Columbia’s service industry enabling taxi drivers, hoteliers, and servers to communicate in simple, conversational English and foreign phrases.

The government is stimulating airline and transportation connectivity to Columbia between other countries.  A new route from Bogata to Washington, DC has been established with non-stop flights.  President Uribe said the new hotels and infrastructure represented the “hardware” to build the tourism industry and equated their citizens to the valuable “software” for Columbia’s tourism success.  Columbia offers a skilled work force for building coupled with the comprehensive government initiative to effect change.

President Uribe is working aggressively to influence foreign embassies to update their travel advisories.  His marketing efforts have had a positive impact on foreign travel advisories for Columbia.  The more progressive embassies have updated their safety reports on the popular Columbian destinations.

US Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez & forum attendees

Columbia proudly announced the addition of a Minister of Tourism, owing to their success in solving some of Columbia’s image issues.  Noting Columbia’s past pervasive safety concerns, Uribe acknowledged that previously his government could not, in clear conscience, invite international tourist to vacation in beautiful Columbia when the safety of their own citizens was undermined in areas.

Thanks to the concerted efforts of President Uribe to rid the country of drug trafficking and his marketing drive to change Columbia’s image, the country is making great strides as an emerging destination for exotic travel.  Uribe compared Columbia’s current tourism expansion situation to Cambodia, another beautiful travel destination that overcame a controversial past to achieve prosperity through tourism.

The world’s past perceptions of Columbia will quickly change with President Uribe’s tenacious marketing and concerted efforts to compete in the global market.

President Uribe remarked, “While Columbia has changed for the better, we are not ‘perfect’.  Yet, Columbia is very fortunate that the government and the people are working together to close the gap between the former image and the reality of our new positive image.”  He added, “If you want to see and experience the Caribbean, Pre-Columbian culture, indigenous cultures, Andean Mountains, Amazon rain forest, great European influence and beautiful colonial architecture, as well as cosmopolitan cities, then go to Columbia where you can experience it all in one place.”

This smart, new ‘reality’ puts Columbia on an upward trajectory for success in global tourism, trade and industry.

Mexico – Rodolfo Elizondo Torres, Secretary of Tourism, Mexico

Mexico’s Secretary of Tourism approached the podium and pronounced that “Mexico Gets Tourism”.  It seems that they, indeed, do.

A tourism website, www.VisitMexico.com was recently launched, instantly generating interest in Mexican destinations. Mexico is expanding their former marketing campaigns touting “sun & beaches” to include promotions of other valuable destinations offering culture, food, music, and Mayan history.

Ten excellent golf courses have been built and residential real estate in Mexico has grown significantly due to the growth of the second home market.  Hotel room sales are another area of extensive growth.

40% of tourist entering Mexico do so to vacation in Cancun.  Elizondo wants to expand their options by offering tourist ‘products’ similar to Europe.

The Mexican government is creating legislation that provides laws favorable to foreign land investments and making land ownership in Mexico safe.

Mexico is developing urban areas and infrastructure balanced with the preservation of nature and their historic areas.

Technology and the World Wide Web has opened up a new world for Mexico’s tourism and economic development.  The government strives to facilitate travel to Mexico with their website information and online immigration application process.

Costa Rican Sky

Sheila Liner, an employee of Plan Benefit Services, INC., in South Carolina, will be traveling to Costa Rica in November for extensive dental surgery. The procedures she will undergo range from simple x-rays to crowns and partial dentures. The total for the work being done figures out to $3,125 including molds and consultation. After her fifty-dollar deductible, her insurance provider pays 50% of the remaining $3,075, leaving Sheila with an out-of-pocket total of $1,587.50. She checked with her local dental provider and after deductible and percentage paid by insurance, her out-of-pocket came to $5,900. Liner said “The financial benefits speak for themselves for the dental procedures. As a vacation destination, I have never been out of the country, but I couldn’t imagine anywhere better than a place with palm trees, beautiful weather, and beaches to recuperate during and after having dental procedures done!” Liner has been advised to remain in Costa Rica for nine days to guarantee a smooth recovery.

Hotel pool in San Jose, Costa Rica

As far as accommodations and transportation are concerned, there is a firm called Tropical Expeditions, Costa Rica (www.tropicaldestinationsofcostarica.com) that has teamed with Companion Global Healthcare to provide assistance with the vacation. Blue Cross Blue Shield members receive attractive rates on packages tailored specifically to the patient’s travel needs. And, there are many reputable hotels within a short distance from the dental facilities. Both clinics are located in San Jose, which puts the patient in close proximity to beaches, rain forests and volcanoes. So, whether it is the beach or a volcano that suits the mood, there are many natural wonders to explore before, during or after the dental treatments. There are also companies that will enable the traveler to ship back to the states the many treasure certain to be found.

Quick travel tips when considering Costa Rica as a dental healthcare destination:

• Travelers need a passport and a round trip airline ticket.
• Take raingear or be prepared to buy an umbrella while you are there. It is a tropical climate and rain is always a possibility.
• Packing a pair of hiking boots is a good idea if volcanoes and rainforests are your cup of tea.

Links to hotels in San Jose:

1. Parque del Lago HotelPhone: 011 (506) 2257-8787
2. Best Western IrazúPhone: 011 (506) 2232-4811
3. Apartotel CristinaPhone: 011 (506) 2220-0453
4. Apartotel La SabanaPhone: 011 (506) 2220-2422
5. Kalexma Bed and BreakfastPhone: 011 (506) 2232-0115
6. Crown Plaza CorobiciPhone: 011 (506) 2232-8122
7. Hotel Barcelo Palma RealPhone: 011 (506) 290-5060
8. Barcelo San Jose PalacioPhone: 011 (506) 2220-2034

After careful cost comparative research and minimal preparation, the traveler is sure to find Costa Rica to be

San Jose Costa Rica

at the top of the list of dental tourist destinations. There is a plethora of natural wonders to explore and quaint shops to browse or, if the traveler prefers, the sway of a simple hammock on the beach, sunning and dozing to the rhythm of the sea while wearing a brand new smile.

Companion Global HealthCare assists self-insured employers and their employees find accessible international options for cost-effective healthcare. Boucher states, “A self-insured company can save tens of thousands of dollars if just one of its employees elects to have surgery at a fully credentialed Companion Global Healthcare network facility, and the employee can save thousands in out-of-pocket costs.”

Wockhardt Hospitals in Mumbai and Bangalore are the first two state of the art facilities in India to pass the strict credential checkpoints of Companion Global Healthcare. Both have been accepted and added to the list of international hospitals that are part of Companion Global HealthCare’s growing network. Each hospital on the list has passed the prestigious JCI accreditation and the Wockhardt Hospitals are affiliated with Harvard Medical International as well.

Wockhardt Hospital-Mumbai

Some of the procedures available at the Wockhardt Hospitals are: hip replacements, hysterectomies, cardiac and spinal surgeries and cervical spine procedures. Both hospitals are equipped with the finest surgeons, nursing care and state of the art technology.

Private rooms are available and contain computers with high speed Internet, televisions and DVD players. International patients can now comfortably add India to the list of options when seeking healthcare abroad

Human nature seldom deviates so the passing of time has done nothing to diminish the quest for eternal youth and healing.  Historically, journeys for this elusive beacon of hope have taken travelers around the world in search of soothing waters to heal what ails them. There has been no mountain too high or sea too wide when there is hope for the tempering of aches and pains. And if it is water you seek, Edipsos, a small town on the northwest coast of the Greek Island of Evia, offers exactly what is needed for the reclamation and renewal of mind and body.

While most travelers from other countries may not be familiar with the therapeutic properties of the spas that abound there, the small coastal town of Edipsos has held the attention of aristocratic society for centuries. So popular for it’s aesthetic and cosmopolitan atmosphere it warranted mention from Aristotle in his Meteorological and during the Roman era, Marcus Aurilius and other Roman dignitaries bathed in the healing waters of the spas.

Edipsos, Evia, Greece

The “healing waters’ refers to the more than 80 mineral springs that dot the Edipsos landscape. They can be quite hot with temperatures ranging from 28 – 86 degrees centigrade. There are few places that offer the phenomenon of hot water gushing from the seabed and it seems that nature has graced this little town with, what some would claim, is the ability to heal everything from rheumatoid arthritis to impotency. Because of this natural property to heal and the world’s obvious advancements in holistic research and therapy, the Greek National Tourism Organization has built a state of the art hydrotherapy facility.

This brand new facility offers 84 individual baths for hydromassage as well as an indoor pool for kinisiotherapy. Special baths and showers have been installed for limb therapy and the treatment of slipped disc and cervical spine syndrome. An outdoor pool offers the chance to swim in mineral as well as seawater and the staff consists of doctors, nurses and physical therapists to cater to all medical and therapeutic concerns. So if bathing in the hot waters of the sea is a little too natural for the traveler, this facility offers a comfortable diversion.

Whether the traveler is content to manage the submersion into this Greek wonderland or prefers to give the task to others, touring this historical and charming hamlet is mandatory.  There are many beach towns close by and quaint mountain villages to explore. But, the traveler may be just as content to partake in the abundant food establishments while at the same time watching the fishing boats return. The sunsets are extraordinary and lend to the overall aesthetic value of this natural healing destination.

Perhaps the greatest benefit for selecting Edipsos as a healing destination is the cost. The traveler is able to experience Natural Healing Therapy and the advances in Thermal Springs Therapy for just a fraction of what it would cost in the USA and Europe. Throw in the beaches and mountains of Greece and there is no comparison to the overall therapeutic and aesthetic benefits of this remote island town.

Place to stay: Thermae Sylla Spa and Grand Hotel

http://www.thermaesylla.gr/en/index.html

How to get there:

• 110 kilometers by car from Chalkida.
• By ferryboat from Arkitsa (150 km from the national road between Athens and Lamia).
• By ferryboat from Glyfa (for those that come from the north, or from central Greece).

Visas and inoculations are probably not necessary unless you fall on the short list of countries that require them.

When to travel: Summer months, April – September, are when the islands are most congested with tourists. Despite what may be rumored, the winter months are not as cold as imagined and most of the tourists have gone home. Airfares, hotel stays and car rentals are cheaper as well from October – March.  The best advice is to contact a travel agent familiar with Greek Island travel to make all of the necessary arrangements.