USA Most Popular Study Abroad Destination for Chinese Students

Annapolis, MD (Vocus) October 6, 2010

Data generated by the search behaviour of 39,896 Chinese students conducted in August 2010 through the Chinese website 6student.cn part of the Hotcourses Abroad international portfolio of recruitment sites, has revealed that 36.4% of Chinese students select the US as their first choice of country to study abroad in. The UK came second chosen by 18.1% of students, then Australia (8.8%), then Singapore (3.8%), Malaysia (1%) and finally just under 1% choosing New Zealand. The balance (31.3%) was made up of those selecting anywhere in the rest of the world outside of named countries.

For the US and the UK, the ratios of those expressing an interest in studying abroad and those that have enrolled are broadly consistent with 98,235 Chinese enrolled at US institutions in 2008/09 and 47,035 in UK institutions for the same period, although not for Australia where there are 130,000 Chinese students in education which, proportionately is far higher than those now actively searching programs and schools there, potentially indicating a future decline in enrolment numbers.

In the USA the majority of Chinese students are searching for graduate programs (66.3%) compared to those interested in studying at an undergraduate level (13.55%). Interestingly, despite growth of the internet, new technology and the prediction of online as a growing means of program delivery, only 4.6% expressly searched for online programs with the balance of 95.4% looking specifically for campus-based. Some commentators say the reason for this heavy bias towards campus-based programs is a perception amongst students and their future employers that an online degree does not carry the same weight of quality. In addition, those students prepared to invest tens of thousands of dollars for an overseas degree, want to combine that with the cultural experience of spending time abroad as well, particularly as tuition prices between online and campus-based programs are often very similar.

The top 10 most popular subject areas of interest making up 87.4% of total searches were:

Business 21.1%

Engineering and technology 11%

Sciences 9%

Social studies 8.4%

Creative arts 7.9%

Medicine 7.7%

Computers and math 7.1%

Education 5.3%

Humanities 5.2%

Travel and tourism 4.7%

Again this is consistent with actual enrolment behaviour with business and management being the top field of study in the USA for international students in 2009/09 followed by engineering and the physical and life sciences. This suggests the trend of subjects future Chinese students will want to study, will remain consistent with those subjects that are already popular.

In terms of traffic origination and most dense regions from which Chinese students are searching study abroad options in the USA, the highest was Beijing (19.2% of searches), Guangdong (10.3%), Shanghai (8.7%), Jiangsu (7.9%) and Zhejiang (6.2%) meaning that over half of all students searching for US programs live in Chinas Eastern provinces.

What this data reveals is although there is increasing competition to recruit Chinese students around the world and within China itself, the interest from Chinese students in studying abroad and particularly coming to the US remains undiminished, commented Mike Elms, CEO Hotcourses Inc. The internet clearly is the most effective way of reaching potential Chinese students with more than 383 million Chinese online in 2009, up from 298 million in 2008 and of these 346 million using broadband*, more than the total population of the United States. Thats why we have a website, 6student.cn, fully in Chinese and domained in China to provide schools with an online presence within the country to reach this growing demand of students.

*CNNIC (2010), Statistical Report on Internet Development in China.

Background on Hotcourses Inc.

Hotcourses was founded in 1996 and now runs websites in 21 countries and in 16 languages around the world. It has websites with education links to destinations in the USA, UK, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, and New Zealand. Hotcourses has offices in Massachusetts, USA; London, UK; Sydney, Australia; and Chennai, India.

###

USA Most Popular Study Abroad Destination for Chinese Students

Cozumel, Mexico Becoming the Leading Destination of Choice for North American Clients Looking for Safe and Affordable, Cosmetic Surgery Holidays Says Gorgeous Getaways

Edmonton, Alberta (PRWEB) May 12, 2011

Gorgeous Getaways Inc. the global leader in cosmetic surgery holidays today announced that Cozumel, Mexico is fast becoming the destination of choice for North American clients seeking affordable high quality cosmetic surgery, weight loss, full dental restorations, medical, and non-surgical treatments in a safe and relaxing environment. The partnership with local hospital Costamed and dental (CMC) will promote Cozumel as a Center of Excellence which is supported by the Mayor of Cozumel, Aurelio Joaquin Gonzalez and the local tourism board.

Lights, Camera, Action

Production has just wrapped with a Miami based Telemundo film crew to shoot an hour long documentary that will showcase (before, during, and after) the journey of four cosmetic surgery clients from Los Angeles, Florida, Memphis, and Dallas and follow them on their amazing cosmetic surgery transformation and experience in Cozumel. Featured surgeries include: surgical procedures (facelifts, browlift, thigh lift, liposuction, and vaginalplasty), dental cosmetic surgery (full and partial restoration) and non-surgical treatments. The documentary is scheduled to air in the US in major US cities at the end of May. An Australian film crew is also set to arrive for filming in Mid-June, with numerous other media production underway in other parts of the world.

Partnership Growth

Since teaming up with Gorgeous Getaways we have had to increase our medical team with redevelopment and expansion of one of our hospital wings to accommodate the growing number of international cosmetic surgery clients says Jenny Segovia, Chief Executive, Costamed Hospital and Dental. The CMC medical team – headed up by Dr. Duarte, the Current President, Mexican Board of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery now includes Dr. Marco Antonio Carmona, and Dr. Rodrigo Morales also feauturing Dr. Nava and Dr. Cardenas for cosmetic dental and dermatology treatments. CMC will also specialize on vaginalplasty procedures with well reknowed specialist surgeon Dr. Aleman.

About Gorgeous Getaways Inc.

Founded in 2004, Gorgeous Getaways is one of the original pioneers of medical tourism and regarded as the worldwide leader of quality, affordable cosmetic surgery holidays. They are the only full service operator that has dedicated global booking managers in home countries and on-ground staff in destination countries that provide a complete end-to-end client experience. Today, the company is incorporated in Canada, United States, Australia, and Malaysia with global sales in Canada, United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia, and dedicated full-time client service managers based in the destination countries of Malaysia, Thailand, Costa Rica and Mexico. We have researched and selected the highest quality, internationally-recognized surgeons and hospitals that consistently deliver outstanding results. Our dedicated team on the ground provide complete post-surgery care and exceptional, personalized service for optimal recovery.Established relationships with providers provide Gorgeous Getaways with an edge – to offer the most competitive, full-service packages in exotic locations. With over 20,000 registered members, numerous testimonials and case-studies, Gorgeous Getaways is world-renowned for quality and superior customer care with global clients, surgeons, hospitals, tourism bodies, industry affiliates and local government. For more information about Gorgeous Getaways Inc., visit its website at http://www.gorgeousgetaways.com.

About Costmed (CMC)

Costamed originated in 1998 with the purpose of becoming a leading international hospital in the Caribbean island of Cozumel, Mexico. Today, the privileged Costamed Hospital Group presents patients from around the world with professional medical services, advanced emergency care, and complete medical & surgical treatments focused on the entire satisfaction of our clients. Surrounded by the warm and welcoming environment of Mexico’s Caribbean, one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world, the Costamed group currently consists of two professional medical clinics located in the state of Quintana Roo; one in the Cozumel Island and the other in Playa del Carmen, only 50-minutes away from Cancun’s International Airport, within Mexico’s Riviera Maya.

For more information about Costamed visit its website at http://www.costamed.com.mx/en.html

For more information please contact:

Rachel Rowling

Global Director, MBA

GORGEOUS GETAWAYSINC.

Email: rachel(at)gorgeousgetaways(dot)com

Global Sales & Booking Offices

Canada: 1 780-757-7772

USA:

Cozumel, Mexico Becoming the Leading Destination of Choice for North American Clients Looking for Safe and Affordable, Cosmetic Surgery Holidays Says Gorgeous Getaways

(Vocus/PRWEB) January 08, 2011 The initiative has gained momentum following the launch of a range of all-inclusive tours known as Sarawak Integrated Packages (SIP) by Sarawaks top tourism representatives including Deputy Chief Minister and Tourism and Heritage Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam in Singapore last October. The SIP campaign , which aims to double tourist arrivals to Sarawak will attract Singaporeans and foreigners in Singapore to Sarawak by way of improved air connectivity with direct flights to Kuching operated by Malaysia Airlines, Silk Air, Air Asia and Tiger Airways. Malaysia Airlines also introduced direct Singapore-Miri flights in October last year. Singapore with its large expatriate community had become an attractive and potential market for the tourism industry of the Land of the Hornbill. Apart from Singapore, other potential markets for the SIP are Japan, Korea, Taiwan and China, in particular Shen Zhen. Sarawak has already invested RM1 million for promotions to Singapores local and expatriate market. Deputy Chief Minister of Tourism and Heritage, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan said, The SIP packages will be very appealing due to their flexibility in meeting the demand of different tourists and we will review them continually to ensure they stay that way. It is very surprising that not many Singaporeans have gone to Sarawak given the wealth of options it offers for a fulfilling vacation and its proximity to Singapore, perhaps in part due to the lack of advertising and promotion by Singapore travel agents. Through a well-coordinated effort via state and tourism industry affiliates we could compel a substantial number of Singapore tourists to Sarawak within a year or two. Datuk Ik Pahon Joyik, the permanent secretary to Tourism and Heritage Ministry, added, “The SIP would be modified according to customers and travel agents feedback so that Sarawak continues to be a “fresh” top-of-mind and preferred tourism destination. The feedback from travel agents from both Singapore and Sarawak is crucial to us because they are the ones who sell the packages and we aim to ensure that the consumer at large will also become familiar with the varied product offerings Sarawak provides. Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) chief executive officer Datuk Rashid Khan said, More than ever we recognize the need to look at our neighbouring countries to see how we can draw them in. In this current economic recovery stage, more tourists are looking at places near their homes. Therefore, it is very natural for us to focus on Singapore as one of the high-income economies in the region. In the past, the travel operators were made aware of Sarawak tourism product experiences such as soft adventures, culture, active outdoor, resorts and spa, but consumers were largely not exposed to them. The SIP offers creative packages and is a signal to all tourism stakeholders that Sarawak is seriously investing in a vibrant, profitable and sustainable future of the tourism industry, he continued. The SIP will run for eight months until June 2011 and consists of 38 different packages ranging from daily tour to six-day-five-night package to cater to the needs of different groups of tourists. A total of 36 travel agents have been identified to be featured as fulfillment travel agents to process enquiries, bookings and payment for these integrated tour packages while nine Sarawak suppliers were involved in this initiative. One of the highlights of SIP is to provide varied and exciting experiences for tourists, including festivals such as the Rainforest World Musical Festival, Miri Jazz Festival and Borneo Cultural Festival. Datuk Rashid added, The product experience will cut across all target groups, from soft adventurers, active sports adventurers to tourists who prefer cultural experiences. Apart from that, we are also targeting students where special packages focusing on field trips are offered although Sarawak will not promote mass tourism because of the impact on the environment and we believe in sustainability. Under our new consumer-driven strategy, we will collaborate with tourism stakeholders to bundle essential services such as transfers, accommodation, meals, tours and airfares into integrated packages, he continued. With the SIP programme , STB hopes to attract 62,000 tourist arrivals from Singapore and an estimated RM12.8 million in tourist receipts. In 2009, Sarawak recorded only 50,243 tourist arrivals from Singapore despite 9 million Singapore tourists visiting Malaysia the same year. Up to October 2010 it had already registered some 31,533 Singapore visitors. About Sarawak Integrated Packages (SIP) Sarawak is poised to become the next holiday destination hot-spot for Singapore tourists with the launch of its new Sarawak Integrated Packages (SIP) in a well-coordinated effort between the state and tourism industry partners. The campaign, which aims to double tourist arrivals to Sarawak will attract Singaporeans and foreigners in Singapore to Sarawak by way of improved air connectivity with direct flights to Kuching and Miri by various airlines. The SIP will run until June 2011 consists of 38 different packages ranging from daily tour to six-day-five-night package to cater to the needs of different groups of tourist providing varied and exciting product experiences including festivals such as the Rainforest World Musical Festival, Miri Jazz Festival and Borneo Cultural Festival. ### More Malaysia Music Tourism Press Releases Sarawak to be Destination of Choice for Singaporeans

(Vocus/PRWEB) January 08, 2011

The initiative has gained momentum following the launch of a range of all-inclusive tours known as Sarawak Integrated Packages (SIP) by Sarawaks top tourism representatives including Deputy Chief Minister and Tourism and Heritage Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam in Singapore last October.

The SIP campaign , which aims to double tourist arrivals to Sarawak will attract Singaporeans and foreigners in Singapore to Sarawak by way of improved air connectivity with direct flights to Kuching operated by Malaysia Airlines, Silk Air, Air Asia and Tiger Airways. Malaysia Airlines also introduced direct Singapore-Miri flights in October last year.

Singapore with its large expatriate community had become an attractive and potential market for the tourism industry of the Land of the Hornbill. Apart from Singapore, other potential markets for the SIP are Japan, Korea, Taiwan and China, in particular Shen Zhen. Sarawak has already invested RM1 million for promotions to Singapores local and expatriate market.

Deputy Chief Minister of Tourism and Heritage, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan said, The SIP packages will be very appealing due to their flexibility in meeting the demand of different tourists and we will review them continually to ensure they stay that way. It is very surprising that not many Singaporeans have gone to Sarawak given the wealth of options it offers for a fulfilling vacation and its proximity to Singapore, perhaps in part due to the lack of advertising and promotion by Singapore travel agents. Through a well-coordinated effort via state and tourism industry affiliates we could compel a substantial number of Singapore tourists to Sarawak within a year or two.

Datuk Ik Pahon Joyik, the permanent secretary to Tourism and Heritage Ministry, added, “The SIP would be modified according to customers and travel agents feedback so that Sarawak continues to be a “fresh” top-of-mind and preferred tourism destination. The feedback from travel agents from both Singapore and Sarawak is crucial to us because they are the ones who sell the packages and we aim to ensure that the consumer at large will also become familiar with the varied product offerings Sarawak provides.

Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) chief executive officer Datuk Rashid Khan said, More than ever we recognize the need to look at our neighbouring countries to see how we can draw them in. In this current economic recovery stage, more tourists are looking at places near their homes. Therefore, it is very natural for us to focus on Singapore as one of the high-income economies in the region.

In the past, the travel operators were made aware of Sarawak tourism product experiences such as soft adventures, culture, active outdoor, resorts and spa, but consumers were largely not exposed to them. The SIP offers creative packages and is a signal to all tourism stakeholders that Sarawak is seriously investing in a vibrant, profitable and sustainable future of the tourism industry, he continued.

The SIP will run for eight months until June 2011 and consists of 38 different packages ranging from daily tour to six-day-five-night package to cater to the needs of different groups of tourists.

A total of 36 travel agents have been identified to be featured as fulfillment travel agents to process enquiries, bookings and payment for these integrated tour packages while nine Sarawak suppliers were involved in this initiative.

One of the highlights of SIP is to provide varied and exciting experiences for tourists, including festivals such as the Rainforest World Musical Festival, Miri Jazz Festival and Borneo Cultural Festival.

Datuk Rashid added, The product experience will cut across all target groups, from soft adventurers, active sports adventurers to tourists who prefer cultural experiences. Apart from that, we are also targeting students where special packages focusing on field trips are offered although Sarawak will not promote mass tourism because of the impact on the environment and we believe in sustainability.

Under our new consumer-driven strategy, we will collaborate with tourism stakeholders to bundle essential services such as transfers, accommodation, meals, tours and airfares into integrated packages, he continued.

With the SIP programme , STB hopes to attract 62,000 tourist arrivals from Singapore and an estimated RM12.8 million in tourist receipts. In 2009, Sarawak recorded only 50,243 tourist arrivals from Singapore despite 9 million Singapore tourists visiting Malaysia the same year. Up to October 2010 it had already registered some 31,533 Singapore visitors.

About Sarawak Integrated Packages (SIP)

Sarawak is poised to become the next holiday destination hot-spot for Singapore tourists with the launch of its new Sarawak Integrated Packages (SIP) in a well-coordinated effort between the state and tourism industry partners. The campaign, which aims to double tourist arrivals to Sarawak will attract Singaporeans and foreigners in Singapore to Sarawak by way of improved air connectivity with direct flights to Kuching and Miri by various airlines. The SIP will run until June 2011 consists of 38 different packages ranging from daily tour to six-day-five-night package to cater to the needs of different groups of tourist providing varied and exciting product experiences including festivals such as the Rainforest World Musical Festival, Miri Jazz Festival and Borneo Cultural Festival.

###

More Malaysia Music Tourism Press Releases

Sarawak to be Destination of Choice for Singaporeans