the “heart” of Contemporary Health Tourism “activity”

To illustrate this article, on ht8 as the Contemporary Health Tourism “agora”, which (thanks to integration) operates as a “single organism”, I used the front cover of the book titled “We Are Agora: How Humanity Functions as a Single Superorganism”, by Byron Reese, a hardcover edition of which one can buy for $27.85, through Amazon (? https://www.amazon.com/We-Are-Agora-Functions-Superorganism/dp/1637744218 ?).

the “Agora theory”

…and, Health Tourism stakeholders as part of a benevolent “superorganism”

The author of the book I used to illustrate this article, in what he refers to as the “Agora theory”, suggests that humans are part of a “superorganism” - one with its own motivations and goals, one that is alive and conscious - and has the power to shape the future of our species.

This “theory” is not far removed from – or very different from – the Health Tourism Integrated Economic Ecosystem - of Stakeholders and sector-specific Legal Entities – which operates as a “single organism” – and the claim and contention that ht8 is the Contemporary Health Tourism “agora”.

It all begins by considering the etymologic and original meaning of the term “agora” (see towards the end of this article).

an Integrated Economic Ecosystem - of Stakeholders and sector-specific Legal Entities

…operating as a “single organism”

Those who read what I write on Health Tourism – and are, at least, beginning to understand - will be aware that Contemporary Health Tourism (a.k.a. – and symbolized by – ht8), is an Integrated Economic Ecosystem - of Stakeholders and sector-specific Legal Entities - which operates as a “single organism” (? https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/carnival-markets-constantine-constantinides-m-d-ph-d--1c/? ).

ht8, which is also described as a Carnival of Markets which operate as a single organism, has encouraged and enabled (as a start) the integration of all the sector’s stakeholders ( https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/carnival-markets-konstantinos-konstantinidis-m-d-ph-d--scwbf/? ).

And of course, ht8 has something for everyone (? https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/omnibus-konstantinos-konstantinidis-m-d-ph-d--ttk2f/ ?).

At this point, I take the opportunity to extend due attribution to John G. Singer ( ?https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/johngsinger/ ?) who originated the phrase “a carnival of markets which operate as a single organism”.

John is the Executive Director of Blue Spoon Consulting ( https://www.dhirubhai.net/company/blue-spoon-consulting/? ), the global leader in Strategy and Innovation at System Level, which specializes in constructing new industry ecosystems – the consultancy’s mission is to lead the next cycle of evolution in healthcare.

the Health Tourism “agora”

…the result of Total Stakeholder Integration

The term "agora" originates from the corresponding “ancient” Greek word – which then, referred to a gathering place or assembly area.

In ancient Greek city-states, the agora was a central public space that served as:

• a marketplace
• a political forum
• a social hub
• a religious center

In other words, the agora was a place where people gathered (integrated) to buy and sell goods, discuss politics, debate ideas, and engage in cultural activities.

In essence, the agora was the “heart of the city”.

Today, ht8 represents the “heart” of Contemporary Health Tourism “activity” – a benevolent “superorganism” – which brought about “Total Stakeholder Integration”, encouraging and enabling the 8 Segments and the 3 “groups” to “participate in, contribute to and benefit from” (? https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/total-stakeholder-integration-konstantinidis-m-d-ph-d--q1evf/? ).

a short note on the connection between Health Tourism and the Agora Group

…and the person behind it

Since this article is about “agora”, it is an opportunity to remind that I got my start in Health Tourism, when Hadi Malaeb (? https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/hadi-malaeb-abb1408/? ), another innovator (to whom I owe a great deal of thanks), invited and hosted me to speak at the first World Health Tourism Congress (WHTC - Wiesbaden, Germany, 2006).

Since then, I was an invited and hosted speaker at all the subsequent WHTC events.

BTW, Hadi, pioneered the “Conference, B2B Meetings and Exhibition combo” model.

Currently, Hadi heads the Dubai-based Agora Group, which designs, stages and hosts impactful events across diverse industries – around the world.

With regards to Health Tourism, Agora stages the annual International Health & Wellness Tourism Congress, at a different destination each year.

As for MICE events, generally, Agora is scheduled to stage the inaugural MICE MENA Conference, a premier platform dedicated to redefining the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry in the Middle East and North Africa, on June 3rd and 4th, 2025, in Dubai, UAE.

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