Health tourism, also called medical tourism, is rapidly growing in the global tourism industry. It includes various activities and services focused on improving or maintaining a person's health and well-being.
People travel for different purposes, such as receiving dental treatment in Türkiye or undergoing plastic surgery in Thailand or South Korea.
In this article, we will discuss the medical tourism industry, explore its types, and highlight the most popular destinations.
Definition of health tourism
Medical tourism involves people traveling to another country to receive medical care, procedures, or wellness experiences. Reasons for such travel often include saving money, accessing specialized care, reducing waiting times, or combining medical treatments with recreational activities.
There are three types of medical tourism, which are discussed below:
Medical tourism:
Medical tourism focuses on individuals traveling abroad for medical treatments and procedures. Common treatments include dental care, fertility treatments, and cosmetic procedures. Many providers offer packages that cover treatment costs, doctors' fees, local transportation, and sometimes hotel stays.
Explore the benefits of health tourism with Clinics on Call to access first-rate medical treatments, specialist care and customized packages to suit your needs. Visit the website to get detailed information from the coordinators.
Wellness tourism:
Wellness tourism focuses on improving physical, mental and spiritual health through activities such as spa treatments, yoga retreats and mindfulness workshops.
Preventive health tourism:
This type focuses on proactive health management. Travelers in this category undergo routine checkups, diagnostic tests, or alternative treatments to address potential health problems before they become serious.
Top destinations for health tourism
There are some destinations for health and medical tourism that are recognized as leaders in combining medical care with wellness services. Each destination stands out for its unique offerings:
- Thailand: Thailand is home to famous hospitals such as Bumrungrad International Hospital, which uses advanced robotic surgery systems for minimally invasive procedures. The country offers cosmetic surgery and spas that are 35-40% cheaper than the United States and Canada.
- India: With hospitals like Apollo Hospitals and Fortis Healthcare, India excels in cutting-edge treatments like organ transplants, robotic heart surgery, and cancer treatment.
- Singapore: Gleneagles Hospital in Singapore offers high-tech treatments such as AI-based diagnostics and advanced stem cell therapies. These hospitals are known for their exceptional patient care and modern facilities.
- Turkey: Memorial Healthcare Group and Anadolu Medical Center Turkey are equipped with the latest technologies, including CyberKnife radiosurgery and Da Vinci robotic systems. Advanced technology makes Turkey a center for cancer treatment and minimally invasive surgery.
- Hungary: Hungary is famous for dental tourism, with clinics such as Dental and Helvetic Clinics offering high-precision digital dentistry using 3D imaging and CAD/CAM technology. The country offers therapeutic spa treatments supported by natural thermal springs.
- Costa Rica: CIMA Hospital in Costa Rica is known for providing accessible yet advanced treatments such as laparoscopic surgeries and regenerative medicine.
- South Korea: South Korea is a leader in cosmetic surgery, with clinics such as JK Plastic Surgery Center and Banobagi Clinic offering procedures using 3D facial analysis and laser-assisted technologies.
- Malaysia: Prince Court Medical Center Malaysia and Gleneagles Kuala Lumpur offer high-level medical care. This includes advanced fertility treatments and minimally invasive orthopedic surgeries, attracting patients from all over the world.
- Brazil: Sírio-Libanês Hospital in Brazil is renowned for its cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries. Doctors use cutting-edge laser technology and advanced imaging systems to ensure precision and patient safety.
- Spain: Spain offers modern healthcare through facilities such as Quirónsalud Madrid and Hospital Universitari Dexeus. Spanish clinics specialize in fertility treatments using cutting-edge genetic screening and minimally invasive surgical techniques for various conditions.
Travelers who engage in health tourism
The number of people traveling for medical tourism has been steadily increasing in recent years. According to the Medical Tourism Association, the global medical tourism market was valued at $58,6 billion in 2020, with approximately 14 million patients traveling for medical treatment each year.
This market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12%, reaching an estimated $142,2 billion by 2025 (Statista).
Likewise, wellness tourism has seen significant growth. The Global Wellness Institute reported that the wellness tourism market was valued at $639 billion in 2019.
It is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7,5%, reaching $919 billion by 2027 (Globalwellnessinstitute.org).
Several key factors contribute to the growth of medical tourism:
Cost savings:
Many people turn to medical tourism to save money on medical treatments. The cost of healthcare varies greatly from country to country due to differences in labor costs, government subsidies, and living expenses.
For example, a heart bypass surgery in the United States might cost around $100.000, while the same procedure in Türkiye might cost around $22.000.
Access to specialized treatments:
Medical tourism allows patients to access advanced treatments that are unavailable or difficult to obtain in their home countries.
The reasons for this include the lack of advanced medical technology, limited availability of specialists or restrictive regulations. Patients may travel abroad for such procedures or treatments that are considered experimental or not approved in their country.
Shorter waiting times:
Long waiting times for certain medical procedures drive many patients to seek treatment abroad. Limited healthcare resources or high demand can cause delays, especially for patients with urgent needs or chronic conditions.
Medical tourism offers a way around these delays. For example, a hip replacement in the UK might take months to complete, while the same procedure might be available immediately in countries like Spain or Turkey.
This combination of convenience, access to advanced care, and short wait times continues to fuel the rapid growth of health and wellness tourism around the world.
Conclusion
Medical tourism continues to grow as more people travel abroad to save costs, access advanced treatments and avoid long wait times.
The medical tourism market is set to surpass 2025 and now is the best time to start your healthcare journey with Clinics on Call and connect with trusted hospitals and specialists around the world.