What is health tourism?
Industry News
In recent years, interest about health, wellness and medical tourism has been growing rapidly. More and more new destinations are exploiting the potential of this tourism segment by striving for a variety of services on offer, using the latest technology and higher education. However, the definition of health tourism in different countries tends to vary from country to country. United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) defines health tourism as:
“Tourism which have as a primary motivation, the contribution to physical, mental and/or spiritual health through medical and wellness-based activities which increase the capacity of individuals to satisfy their own needs and function better as individuals in their environment and society”. [1]
Although cultural differences play a major role in determining demand, the main reasons why people choose to travel to another country for health tourism are the lack of services and procedures and insurances in the patients’ home country, lower costs, better quality of care and shorter waiting times. [1] Cultural affiliation to a particular country can also be a reason for health tourism – for example, patients from the diaspora often use medical services when visiting friends or family. Distance also plays a big role, destinations that are geographically close to the patient’s home country are easier to reach and low-cost airlines often offer great deals. Patients also prefer to go to countries with a good reputation for offering high-end services. [2] The experience, reputation and use of the latest technologies of professional medical staff are important prerequisites for attracting medical tourists.
Also, sustainability is an important aspect of health tourism. Destinations must pay attention to the impact of health tourism on the quality of life of local people in both – public and private sectors, and the well-being of local people is as important as improving the health of tourists. [1] Health tourism actively uses natural resources (e.g., thermal waters, mud, forests, etc.). Protecting ecosystems and biodiversity is in the interests of health tourism representatives, thus guaranteeing sustainable development. [2]
Why to choose Latvia?
Latvian clinics and hospitals offer patients high-quality medical services. They have high-class standards and professional, experienced doctors who use the most innovative and modern technologies and methods available in the world in diagnostics and further treatment. The quality of the services provided is comparable to the world’s leading clinics, and the latest technologies are used to meet global quality standards.
The most popular services for health tourists in Latvia are various types of diagnostics, dentistry – especially dental implantology, prosthetics and laser stomatology. Plastic surgery – eyelid, abdominal, nasal and breast corrections. Vision correction – laser surgery, glaucoma and cataract surgery, eye prosthetics. Oncology and cancer treatment with CyberKnife. Infertility treatment for women and men, as well as artificial insemination. Phlebology (treatment of leg veins) and bariatric surgeries (stomach reduction surgeries). Traumatology and endoprosthesis, post-operative medical rehabilitation. Dermatology and aesthetic medicine services are also popular.
Prices for services in Latvia are significantly lower, allowing patients to save 50-70% of costs, as well as clinics provide convenient and fast access. Consultations and operations can be arranged within two weeks. Medical institutions guarantee confidentiality and professionalism in ethical matters. Latvian professionals speak several languages, that way bypassing any language barriers.
Combine the pleasant with the useful – during your stay, enjoy Latvian nature, Riga’s architecture and gastronomy.
[1] World Tourism Organization and European Travel Commission (2018), Exploring Health Tourism – Executive Summary, UNWTO, Madrid.
[2] F. L. Ile; G. Țigu, (August, 2017), Medical tourism market trends – an exploratory research, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Bucharest.