Upcoming: Dominican Republic’s broad health travel study
The National Competitiveness Council (CNC) awarded the Dominican Republic’s broad health travel study to the consulting firm Russa Garcia and Associates SRL.
The decision follows up the inter-institutional cooperation agreement with the Dominican Association of Health Tourism (ADTS), led by its president Dr. Alejandro Cambiaso.
Lourdes Russa de Cabrera, the principal consultant, is an expert in the development and management of tourism projects, planning, and management of destinations and their associated regulatory frameworks.
She holds a recognized experience in studies of economic feasibility, market, and environmental impact.
The scientific work has the support of health, law, and financial professionals.
Dominican Republic’s Broad Health Tourism Study
A comparative analysis of different destinations and in-depth interviews will be carried out both at the governmental and private sector levels.
Additionally, the following will be addressed:
- Differences in Medical and Health Tourism
- Market niche value
- Creation of wealth and jobs
- New investments, technology transfer, and knowledge.
The outcome will be presented by the Executive Director of the National Competitiveness Council (CNC), Rafael Paz Familia, at the 4th International Health and Wellness Tourism Congress.
According to Dr. Alejandro Cambiaso, it is a big step for the sector, since these inputs will serve as a basis to measure the potential of health tourism for the Dominican economy.
Furthermore, its transversal effect, as well as the productive linkages, policy reforms, and strategic alliances required to strengthen us as a destination for health tourism.
Russa: A Tourism Expert
Lourdes Russa is the director of Tourism and Environment at the European School of Management.
Russa currently works as general manager of Russa Garcia & Asociados, a private firm dedicated to sustainable tourism.
In a Spanish interview from 2013 published in the website Profesionales ON (bit.ly/2sArnoO), the tourism expert provided insights about offering a sustainable and valuable product.
Russa believes that “the sustainability of a product is achieved when the environmental, socio-cultural, economic and technological aspects are involved in it.
For the expert, the key is to design it for a defined market segment, through a topic identified and susceptible to that market niche.
Career Highlights
The tourism expert has an extensive career in the sector, which includes the following studies and management responsibilities.
- Preparation and coordination of Agenda 21 for the development of sustainable tourism in Venezuela;
- Consultancy executed in hotels located in Bayahibe (East coast), Dominican Republic, for the implementation of Environmental Management Systems;
- Green Globe and Blue Flag Certification;
- Presented workshops and courses to sensitize communities towards the development of sustainable tourism;
- Consultant and project development.