Global Health Tourism: Market Growth, Top Destinations, and Patient Trends
Health tourism — whether called medical tourism, wellness tourism, or preventative healthcare travel — is one of the most dynamic segments of global healthcare. Millions of people now cross borders every year for treatments, check-ups, and wellness experiences. The attraction is clear: affordable costs, specialized services, shorter wait times, and the ability to recover in destinations that combine world-class care with appealing surroundings. Defining Health Tourism At its core, health tourism means traveling to another country to seek healthcare services. These services may range from high-complexity surgery to routine dental procedures, or from diagnostic screenings to wellness retreats focused on relaxation and recovery. Motivations vary, but common reasons include: Lower overall cost compared to home countries. Access to treatments that may be unavailable locally. Avoidance of long waiting lists in public systems. Recovery in a safe and pleasant environment. Types of Healt...