Turkey Enters New Era in Health Tourism with protocol signed between Health and Tourism Ministers
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy and Minister of Health Prof. Dr. Kemal Memişoğlu signed the “International Cooperation Protocol in the Field of Health Tourism” to make Turkey’s rising health tourism sector more sustainable and systematic. The protocol aims to improve coordination, quality, and international visibility in healthcare services.
Rise of Health Tourism
Minister Ersoy emphasized Turkey’s strong potential in health tourism, revealing that over 1.5 million people had visited the country for medical purposes last year, generating more than $3 billion in revenue. He underlined Turkey’s appeal as a leading destination thanks to its advanced healthcare infrastructure and experienced professionals.
Pandemic Success and the Safe Tourism Program
Recalling Turkey’s effective healthcare response during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ersoy noted that the Safe Tourism program, implemented in collaboration with the Health Ministry, had gained international recognition. This success highlighted the strength of Turkey’s health sector and its coordinated efforts during global health crises.
Combating Informality and Enhancing Quality
The protocol not only seeks to attract more medical tourists but also to register all service providers, raise quality standards, and combat informal operations in the sector. Key initiatives include promotion, information systems, and certification processes to ensure higher service quality.
Global Branding with ‘Health Turkey’
Health Minister Memişoğlu stressed that the “HealthTurkey” brand will play a vital role in increasing Turkey’s global presence in health tourism. He stated that the protocol would strengthen both healthcare services and promotional efforts at the international level.
New Goals for Tourist Satisfaction
On the other hand, Minister Ersoy emphasized the importance of protecting the health and comfort of incoming tourists, which directly influenced their satisfaction and likelihood of returning. He concluded that Turkey aimed to enhance its global influence through health tourism, not just boost its revenues.
