Medical tourism

The Turkish capital, Ankara, aims to play a larger role in tourism, particularly medical tourism, by promoting tourism activities year-round.

Ankara has an untapped tourism potential, but the city needs a structural change in this sector, Gökhan Esengil from the Turkish Hotel Managers Association (TUROYD) told state-run Anadolu Agency.

Deputy Tourism Minister Elena Rapti referred to the dynamics of medical tourism in Greece and its constantly increasing margins for growth, while addressing an event organized by the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) on Kos and the local municipality.

A 35-year-old firefighter is currently hospitalized in the orthopedic clinic of the General University Hospital of Patra, in Rio, Western Greece, after sustaining a severe injury to his left leg while fighting a wildfire in Ilia on Friday.

Türkiye's health tourism revenues increased from $1.9 billion in 2022 to $2.3 billion last year, the Trade Ministry has said.

Türkiye, with its internationally accepted accredited 40 health institutions, ranked seventh in global health tourism, according to the statement the ministry issued.

Bulgaria has experienced a substantial surge in Polish tourist arrivals, with over 250,000 visitors recorded in 2022 alone, spanning from January 1 to September 10. Tourism Minister Zaritza Dinkova shared this encouraging data in an interview with the Polish media outlet Wasza Turystyka, highlighting the nation's allure as "the country of spa and wellness."

Istanbul is setting a higher target in tourism, aiming to welcome 20 million foreign visitors, says Firuz Bağlıkaya, the president of the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB).

Türkiye is working to position itself as a major destination for global medical tourists, aiming to increase revenues from health tourism to $3 billion.

The country may overtake France as the second most popular European holiday destination after Spain thanks to its booming medical tourism industry, according to experts.

Türkiye's health tourism industry aims to increase its share in the world's $100 billion market from the current 4 percent to 10 percent, says Servet Terziler, the president of the Turkish Health Tourism Association.

The industry had started to recover fast from the fallout of COVID-19, but the February earthquakes were a blow to the sector.

An application created by Turkish entrepreneurs allows patients from abroad to virtually tour Turkish hospitals while real-time digital representations of the hospital staff lead guests around, show the equipment, and provide information.

Türkiye expects to receive over 1.8 million health tourists in 2023, with an increase of approximately 30 percent, the head of a tourism professional organization has said.