Turkey determined to take its place among top three countries in health tourism
Health tourism in the world has developed rapidly in the last 10 years. The number of travelers traveling exclusively for medical tourism has exceeded 10 million and the turnover in this sector has reached US$ 100 billion annually. Although the number of travelers in thermal tourism, medical SPA, elderly and disabled and the turnover in said fields are not known exactly, it is foreseen that concerned figures are much higher than in medical tourism.
Diversification of the tourism sector and spread of tourism over 12 months could be considered a necessity in countries such as Turkey. The reason is tourism is a very important service sector in terms of spreading over 12 months and creating employment. Health tourism is a commercial issue and has an important place in the economy of majority countries.
Turkey has 48 JCI accredited healthcare institutions capable of serving at international standards. Turkey started realizing necessary projects to upgrade health tourism infrastructure at university and public hospitals as well as private ones, quite a while ago. In fact, it has already built several city hospitals within this framework.
Turkey is now establishing following units under Health Tourism Department to serve in related sectors: Medical Tourism, Thermal Tourism (SPA-Wellness), Senior Tourism and Disabled Tourism
Breakdown of concerned services is as follows: Senior Tourism tourism (sightseeing tours, occupational therapies)
Elderly care services (nursing homes or rehabilitation services)
Rehabilitation services in a clinical hotel
Special care and sightseeing tours for the disabled
Places of Service: Clinical hotels, recreation areas, resorts and nursing homes etc.
Thermal Health Tourism and SPA-Wellness
Spa treatments and physiotherapies
Talossoterapi on Hydrotherapy and exercises
Balneotherapy and Peloidotherapy, Climatotherapy
Places of Service: Hot Springs and Spa Centers
Medical Tourism (Medical Tourism)
Advanced treatments (Cardiovascular Surgery, Radiotherapy, cyberknife etc.)
Transplantation, Infertility (IVF applications)
Plastic surgery, eye, dental, dialysis treatments etc.
Places of Service: Health institutions and organizations
The first 5 countries in the world in terms of the number of international patients received are; USA, Germany, Thailand, India and Turkey.
Turkey which has made substantial progress in tourism in recent years is also determined to take its place among top 3 countries in health tourism as well.
