As lockdowns continue in many parts across the globe, the tourism industry, including medical and wellness travel, are preparing for changes in consumer decision making. It is expected that some behavioural changes will reverse post-pandemic, and others may become permanent. While none of us have a “crystal ball” which enables us to see clearly into the future post-pandemic, medical and wellness providers are looking future and making considerations centric to these assumptions:

1. Demand for Higher Hygienic Standards – in areas of close contact it is expected that many consumers may be drawn to providers who can create assurance and demonstrate that their procedures and facilities are to a high cleanliness standard. This may include, but is not limited to: offering of protective masks, as well as more intensive and/or regular cleaning of client areas and equipment.

2. Continued Increase in Micro-Adventure Travel – prior to COVID-19 there was an increasing trend for travellers to experience wellness and adventure closer to home for sustainability reasons. Many of these travellers gravitated to destinations with national parks, walking trails and other outdoor activities which had a connection to nature (i.e. horseback riding, paddle boarding, swimming in the ocean).

It is anticipated that as restrictions are lifted, that many travellers will choose regional and domestic destinations for safety and security reasons, positioning areas like Sunshine Coast well to accept

3. Increase in Desire to Maintain Good Health – pre-pandemic indicators demonstrated that the desire for the healthier life at home was extending into Aussie’s travel plans too. Recent events have heightened people’s awareness of our susceptibility to virus and the importance self-care has on increasing our immunity and reducing our risk of illness.

Last year, according the Global Wellness Institute, wellness tourism growth alone was twice the general global tourism rate. It is anticipated that this pre-pandemic trend will continue to significantly increase going forward with an increase in localised wellness activities.

4. Have an Online Presence – COVID-19 has challenged health and wellness providers to offer services remotely using mobiles, computers and virtual reality technologies. Looking into the future post-pandemic, there may be viability to maintaining these online services to reduce barriers to care and increase revenue through greater client reach.

Do you want to help shape industry trends? myHealthTrip encourages health consumers to reach out and let us know what is important to them. This feedback is invaluable in helping to shape future medical and wellness services, so that they continue to meet consumer expectations of safety and security moving forward.

Six months ago, myHealthTrip, with nine other selected medical technology businesses, started on an incredible journey to create a viable company.

myHealthTrip’s founder, Shauna Fjaagesund, started by identifying a problem. Parents and carers of autistic children wanted access to safe and trusted medical providers, as well as new innovative approaches. However, they were uncertain what options were available to them and which interventions would work best for their child.

Health consumers were not the only ones experiencing autism information overload. Many clinicians and allied health professionals expressed that were unaware of all the services available within the autism space on the Sunshine Coast. Often, their patients required services outside their traditional referral networks, which created barriers to care and reduced patient outcomes.

This brings us to May 2020. Despite a COVID-19 pandemic, myHealthTrip is thrilled to invite you to join us, on May 14^th 2020, for the Australian Health Accelerator (AHx) Virtual Demo Day. myHealthTrip with nine other innovative business teams will present new health products and services to the public.

This virtual event is interactive, and our team welcomes questions from health consumers, medical and service providers and investors.

For details on how login to the Virtual Australian Health Accelerator Day (AHx), click here.