Health and wellness tourism (also known as medical tourism) is travelling abroad for medical treatment to take advantage of advanced technological services and procedures available from healthcare providers around the world, making significant savings on the costs of these treatments whilst at the same time lifting any time constraints being imposed by your healthcare provider in your country of residence. Along with all of these benefits the Health tourists are able to experience and enjoy the ultimate in tourist destinations.
Medical tourism isn't a new concept and has been going on for thousands of years, originating in Rome, China, and Western Europe. Today, health tourism is generally divided into four separate categories, which includes :
- Elective - cosmetic/plastic surgery, fertility treatment, weight loss, and dental procedures and treatments
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Surgical - cardiac, cancer, orthopaedic, and neurosurgery procedures and treatments
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Alternative Medicine - Chinese, or Ayurvedic, homeopathy, or CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) procedures and treatments
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Wellness- holistic, medical spa treatments, and yoga practices and methodologies
With greater access to technology and the ease of travel and communications , Health and Wellness services have truly entered the global marketplace. No longer are you limited to healthcare options locally, or the hospital across town. Increasingly medical consumers are seeking better pricing, better treatment, and better experiences around the globe.
Health and Wellness tourism is a fast growing industry, involving people travelling to exotic locations to obtain treatments from finest healthcare centres while enjoying luxurious accommodations.