Strong Growth Expected in Medical Tourism

A recent report by the –International Medical Travel Journal reveals widespread optimism about the future of medical tourism, with travel for cosmetic surgery and cancer treatment expected to be the biggest growth areas. The most popular destinations are expected be Thailand, India, and the United States. The market is expected to grow over the next five years and beyond. The biggest areas of grown are expected to be from patients who travel overseas for cosmetic surgery and cancer treatment. Researchers surveyed 280 clinics, hospitals and medical tourism businesses worldwide. The following are key findings:

48% of clinics, hospitals and medical tourism agencies saw growth in international patient numbers over the last 12 months; 30% saw no increase; and 11% saw a decline.

76% expect their international patient numbers to grow over the next 12 months.

More than half expect annual growth of more than 10% in the medical tourism market over the next five years.

Over the next five years, cosmetic surgery is seen as the biggest growth area for medical travel (cited by 55% of respondents), with cancer treatment (54%), infertility treatment (40%) and dental treatment (38%) also expected to experience significant growth.

- When asked to name the most popular destinations, in terms of patient numbers, the respondents selected.

For more information, visit http://www.imtj.com/resources/research-and-statistics/medical-tourism-climate-survey-2014/