The medical tourism industry will be one of the popular topics in the health world, especially cosmetic surgery and infertility treatment. Generally, we can describe medical tourism in the description below:
Medical tourism involves traveling to another country to receive medical care. This has changed a lot over the years. At first, people from less-developed countries traveled to developed countries to receive medical care. Today, it includes a broader range of patients, such as people from developed countries who travel to developing countries for cheaper medical care or treatments that aren’t offered in their countries.
Please refer to the section below for further information regarding the medical tourism industry.
Read more: Medical tourists in Iran from the USA
What is medical tourism?
The medical tourism industry includes a variety of healthcare services, such as:
- Elective surgeries (e.g., cosmetic procedures)
- Dental treatments
- Fertility treatments
- Specialized surgeries for rare conditions
- Preventive care and wellness treatments
As we said above, Many people choose medical tourism for several reasons. They often go on vacation because they think they can save money on medical care, which is usually much cheaper in famous destinations than in their home countries. Aside from being affordable, shorter wait times are also significant. When healthcare systems are overloaded, patients may have to wait longer for the necessary treatments, making them look for faster options abroad.
Read more: Medical Tourism in Tehran
Medical tourism also gives people access to cutting-edge medical technologies and specific treatments that may be challenging to find in their home country. This includes access to world-famous specialists specializing in certain medical conditions and the most up-to-date surgical methods and therapies.
Source: market.us
The medical business includes traditional procedures and health tourism, which is all about wellness and preventive care. This part of medical tourism attracts people who want to improve their health holistically through spa treatments, exercise programs, and alternative therapies, often in beautiful, quiet places that help with recovery and relaxation. These things make medical tourism increasingly popular among people who want to find complete healthcare options that fit their needs.
Why do we consider medical tourism as an industry?
Medical tourism is a business because it greatly affects the economy and offers structured services. Some critical factors are:
- Economic Contribution: Medical tourism contributes to economic diversification by attracting foreign currency, creating jobs, and stimulating local healthcare investments. It enhances the skills of local healthcare professionals and improves the overall quality of medical services2.
- Market Growth: The global medical tourism market was valued at approximately USD 10.78 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 70.18 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 24.52%3.
- Infrastructure Development: Countries are increasingly investing in healthcare infrastructure to attract international patients, leading to improvements in service quality and patient experience.
- Globalization of Healthcare: The rise of technology and communication has facilitated more accessible access to information about international healthcare options, making it more straightforward for patients to plan medical trips.
Source: market.us
Read more: Iran’s medical tourism statistics
Medical tourism industry overview
In the last few decades, the medical tourism business has been overgrown. The things that are causing this growth are:
- Rising Health Care Costs: Many people look for cheaper options because of the high costs in their home countries.
- Improvements in technology: New and better medical tools and methods in growing countries attract people looking for cutting-edge treatments.
- Government Actions: Many countries have implemented policies encouraging medical tourism, including partnerships with foreign insurance companies and stricter rules.
The market is spread out, but Asia-Pacific and Europe share the most. Thailand, India, Iran, and Germany are top destinations for medical tourists because they offer high-quality services at low costs.
Read more: Medical tourism in Mashhad
Which country has the best medical tourism industry?
We can look at Iran, Thailand, India, Turkey, and Mexico, among other top medical tourism destinations, to see which has the best business. Each country has its benefits regarding healthcare quality, costs, and specialties. The table below shows the most important parts of their medical tourism businesses.
| Country | Strengths | Popular Procedures | Cost Comparison | Annual Medical Tourists |
| Iran | – Advanced healthcare system
– Low-cost treatments – Cultural familiarity for regional patients |
|
Significantly lower than in Western countries (e.g., rhinoplasty ~$3,000 vs. $10,000 in the US) | Estimated 500,000 by 202112 |
| Thailand | – Renowned for hospitality
– High-quality services – Strong marketing presence |
|
Competitive prices (e.g., heart surgery ~$10,000 vs. $30,000 in the US) | Over 2 million annually5 |
| India | – Large pool of skilled professionals
– Advanced medical technology – English-speaking staff |
|
Very low costs (e.g., bypass surgery ~$8,000 vs. $100,000 in the US) | Approximately 500,000 annually5 |
| Turkey | – Strategic location between Europe and Asia
– High-quality healthcare facilities |
|
Affordable options (e.g., dental implants ~$300 vs. $3,000 in the US) | Growing rapidly; exact numbers vary5 |
| Mexico | – Proximity to the US
– Affordable healthcare options – Popular for dental tourism |
|
Very low costs (e.g., dental crowns ~$500 vs. $2,500 in the US) | Estimated over 1 million annually5 |
Iran is becoming known as a strong competitor in the medical tourism market for several reasons, including:
Iran’s Medical Tourism Industry
Medical tourism in Iran is gaining recognition as a competitive player in the health sector due to several factors:
- Cost-Effectiveness: Iran offers high-quality medical services at significantly lower prices than Western countries. For instance, cosmetic surgeries like rhinoplasty can cost around $3,000 in Iran compared to $10,000 in the US.
- Specialized Treatments: Iran is mainly known for its expertise in infertility treatments and cosmetic procedures. Its hospitals are equipped with modern technology and staffed by highly qualified professionals.
- Cultural Appeal: Iran’s rich cultural heritage and historical significance attract tourists beyond medical needs. Many patients also seek to explore the country’s attractions while receiving treatment.
- Government Support: The Iranian government actively promotes medical tourism as a vital economic sector by simplifying visa processes and supporting healthcare facilities.
While each country has its strengths in the medical tourism industry, Iran stands out because it offers low prices and high-quality care, especially in specialized areas like cosmetic surgery and infertility.
However, Thailand and India are still the best in the world because they have well-developed systems and effective marketing plans that bring in millions of medical tourists annually. Ultimately, the best place to go depends on what each patient wants and needs regarding medicines and cultural experiences.
For more details, please contact us to discuss all the aspects of medical tourism collaboration in Iran. for contact, please click on the link below:
