South-east Asia catching the eye of US associations and educational sector

Karen Yue, Brunei Darussalam (2010-02-01)

SOUTH-EAST Asia is growing in appeal among US medical associations and advanced education sectors as a venue for their conferences and exchange programmes.

American travel planners Global Tracks vice president for business development Dr William Chaney said business schools in the US hold frequent exchange programmes to Asia. Lasting from 10 days to two weeks, such trips occasionally feature a leisure component.

“At present, China, Vietnam and Korea are often visited for special interest and educational tours, but countries like Cambodia and Thailand are becoming increasingly important (as case study subjects).”

Associations for doctors, nurses and dentists are also becoming more interested in South-east Asia, where a typical programme would combine study visits to local hospitals and clinics, conferences with the local medical community and sightseeing. These programmes run for one to three weeks and comprise 40 to 80 pax.

Global Tracks executive director Joann Chaney said as destination choices for such association conferences should offer educational opportunities to participants, “we intend to take the programmes to Asia because that's where learning opportunities lie.”