Connie Li, the President of Zhongya Holding Limited headquartered in Hong Kong, gathering Chinese investors interested in overseas investments.
We are bringing some interesting facts and opinions of Connie Li:
This is the first case of a Chinese investor registering an enterprise in Croatia and bringing equity into the country. We’re sure that it is really big news for Croatia. Our desire is to become the best Croatian health destination recognized worldwide and we have excellent predispositions to achieve that.
FACT 1:
Outbound Chinese Medical Tourism Market Even though only 10% of Chinese citizens have passports, China is already the biggest outbound tourism market in the World. According to official data by CNTA (China National Tourism Administration):
- Number of Chinese outbound tourists (2016): 122 million (1st in the World, the USA is 2nd with 73 million); last year’s growth 5%
- Outbound Chinese tourist spending (2016): USD 221 billion (1st, the USA 2nd with USD 122 billion), last year’s growth 12%
Chinese Outbound Medical Tourism Market is growing rapidly in the last 5 years (31% average annual growth):
- Number of Chinese outbound medical tourists (2016): 500,000 (2nd after the USA)
- Chinese medical tourist, average spending per trip: 50,000 RMB (200% more than a “normal” tourist)
- Top destinations for Chinese outbound medical tourists:
- Asian countries (Japan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand): cheaper treatments than in China, close, advanced technology, educated staff, professional service, no language barrier (hospitals have translators), some countries offer VAT-free medical service for tourists
- USA and Europe (Germany, Switzerland): country’s reputation, advanced technology, top quality facilities; for wealthy Chinese who look for the best possible treatment
Reasons for medical travel:
- For essential treatments: in China lack of drugs or bad quality drugs, insufficient surgeons with the necessary skills, lack of technologies. Quality treatments are too expensive, basic medical insurances don’t cover many treatments
- For elective treatments, healthcare services, spa, etc.: Chinese highermiddle class chooses healthoriented tourism, rehabilitation treatments, preventive treatments. They look for convenience and quality, comprehensive medical plan. Neighbouring Asian countries are preferred.
FACT 2:
Croatia as a health tourism destination for Chinese Croatia’s biggest strength is that it possesses the environment, resources and products to develop health tourism, educated and skilled people. It offers European quality, yet cheaper than in Central and Western Europe. Tourism sector is strongly developed which could offer combination of first-class treatment, health-care services and traveling experience.
FACT 3:
Krapinske Toplice This is the first case of a Chinese investor registering an enterprise in Croatia and bringing equity into the country. We’re sure that it is really big news for Croatia. Our desire is to become the best Croatian health destination recognized worldwide, and we have excellent predispositions to achieve that. The enthusiasm of Mayor Ernest Svazic who has been heavily engaged in negotiations for three years and presents a great deveopment plan, has strongly influenced the fact that we signed a strategic investment contract with CSEBA representatives in Hong Kong. Zhongya Real Estate has begun recruiting people with due diligence for an entire series of projects, for example in Zadar and Pag. Chinese investors looks at Croatia as great destination for health tourism, so I’m sure that we can expect ewven more investments from China in Croatian health tourism sector.