Travel overseas for cosmetic surgery and cancer treatment expected to see biggest growth.
New research into the state of the medical tourism market has found that optimism is high with the market growing and expected to carry on doing so for at least the next five years.
The Medical Tourism Climate Survey 2014, carried out for the International Medical Travel Journal (IMTJ), canvassed the views of over 280 clinics, hospitals and medical tourism businesses in 60 countries about the current market for medical tourism and their expectations for the future.
The report highlights widespread optimism about the future of medical tourism, with travel for cosmetic surgery and cancer treatment expected to be the biggest growth areas. The results suggest that not only is the market currently growing but that it will continue to do so for the next five years and beyond.
Key survey findings:
- 48% of clinics, hospitals and medical tourism agencies reported growth in international patient numbers over the last 12 months. 30% saw no increase and 11% experienced 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% pa 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 Thailand, India and the USA.
- When asked to name the leading destinations in terms of quality and range of services provided to international patients, the respondents ranked the USA, Thailand and India the highest.
- 76% expect their international patient numbers to grow over the next 12 months.
- More than half expect annual growth of more than 10% pa 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 Thailand, India and the USA.
- When asked to name the leading destinations in terms of quality and range of services provided to international patients, the respondents ranked the USA, Thailand and India the highest.
The report can be purchased and downloaded from: http://www.imtj.com/resources/research-and-statistics/medical-tourism-climate-survey-2014/
Keith Pollard, Managing Editor of IMTJ says the results of the survey are encouraging for this developing business sector:
“It’s reassuring to hear from clinics around the world that they are experiencing, and expect to continue experiencing, growth. Medical tourism is an important contributor to the healthcare economy of many countries, not least the UK, which is a leading destination for international medical tourists.
“It’s interesting to note, also, that the growth is expected to be biggest in two very different areas – cosmetic surgery, which continues to be a very active area, and cancer treatment, with patients seeking treatments not available to them in their own countries.”
