In recent years, the concept of medical tourism has risen rapidly, wherein citizens of developed countries choose to travel to developing regions to access a comprehensive medical service range. In contrast, people travel from developing nations to major medical centers in more developed countries for medical facilities not available to their residents. The plausible motivation for seeking medical care in developing countries for patients from developed countries is attractively low costing. These cost-conscious consumers tend to accept the inconvenience and volatility of overseas healthcare to access treatment at rates that they can afford more conveniently. New technology allows prospective medical tourists to research and arrange for healthcare services from anywhere in the world or with a medical tourism agency’s advice. In this age of globalized medicine, where international travel and online health knowledge are readily available, medical tourism has risen exponentially because patients are increasingly exercising a degree of control over their healthcare choices. 

Asia Rises as the Hub of Medical Tourism 

People from many countries frequently travel to the advanced healthcare markets in the United States and Europe to explore the knowledge and specialized technologies offered in leading medical centers. Many of these destinations have new state-of-the-art amenities and enticing accommodation, which is the primary inducement to seek treatment in another country. Most health professionals in medical tourism destinations have a unique skill set that puts them at the forefront of treating a particular disease and attracts patients to their practice destination. Numerous developed nations, including Israel, Belgium, Germany, Canada, and Italy, attract medical patients by offering innovative modern care with special attention to exceptional service, patient preference, and satisfaction. Several Latin American countries have established a reputation for exceptional cosmetic and plastic surgery, bariatric surgery, 

and dental care services. 

India, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand are other well-recognized medical tourism destinations becoming popular among cardiac surgery and orthopedic surgery patients. For instance, several attributes make India an appealing destination for visitors seeking health services, which is, at present, a prominent medical tourism destination. The accessibility to well-trained health experts, a significant workforce of good English-speaking medical professionals, the appropriate balance of allopathic and alternative care programs, the existence of super-specialty hospitals, and technologically advanced research equipment, and most notably, the provision of these quality services at affordable costs, have made India one of the most sought-after destinations. The procedure costs are less than 10% of those in the United States. Health facilities in India also benefit from having a potent combination of allopathic and complementary medicine programs. Some states have emerged as the primary destination for cardiac care, while others have created a niche for quality eye care. India has also risen as the hub for state-of-the-art Ayurvedic healing attracting medical tourists interested in holistic healing practices. The Indian government has taken measures to promote India as a global medical getaway to capitalize on this potential. This current trend has made medical tourism services one of India’s biggest markets. 

Besides India, Thailand has created a name as one of the most important medical tourism destinations, attracting large investments for advanced healthcare technology and services. The government has increasingly taken initiatives over the past few years to deliver high-value and sustainable healthcare

facilities such as cutting-edge research laboratories. These initiatives have been invaluable during these times of the COVID 19 global pandemic. The global pandemic has created challenges for every country, but Thailand has used it as an opportunity by drawing on its resilience to face this unprecedented situation. The global pandemic has affected medical tourism, but it has not restricted Thailand from implementing innovation in healthcare. The country is evolving and developing a modern healthcare space by incorporating digital technology to extend and strengthen telemedicine facilities. Consequently, the country has established a more accommodating environment for patients and improved its competitive scope to accelerate medical investment and growth and bring its advanced healthcare system to the next level. Thus, the battle against COVID-19 is just attracting investments in the country’s already established medical infrastructure, making Thailand’s response to this global crisis one of the most successful. 

Postoperative Care Poses a Challenge for Medical Tourism 

One of the major reasons patients choose offshore healthcare services is to seek medical facilities that are not available in their countries. For instance, stem cell therapy for many issues is relatively inaccessible or limited in developing countries but may be far more readily accessible in the medical tourism industry. Some patients, especially those undertaking cosmetic procedures, sex-change surgeries, and substance therapy, prefer to go to a medical tourism destination to protect their confidentiality and privacy. Similarly, some people also opt for medical treatment overseas to fly to exotic destinations and utilize the benefits of this kind of tourism. While medical tourism agents and travel providers may advertise the “tourism” aspect of offshore healthcare, the leisure appeal of travel has decreased for patients with complicated, severe medical regulations and guidelines. On the other hand, apprehensions regarding the risk of complications from travel and recreational practices in the postoperative stage also lessen the popularity of medical tourism. Evaluating postoperative complications that occur when a patient returns from an overseas medical center and the subsequent expenses of this treatment have also become challenging issues that need to be tackled. 

Focusing on Changing Trends Will Create a Lucrative Future for Medical Tourism 

While medical tourism is far from new, the changing patient flow trends and the increasing awareness of the complicated legal, social, economic, and political issues it poses have held back the recognition of this phenomenon and its future. There is a clear need for all healthcare stakeholders to become acquainted with medical tourism benefits and recognize the social, political, and economic elements that determine and influence this phenomenon. Medical tourism governance is dynamic and diverse in its numerous aspects, considering its wide range of prominent players and international market-based structure. As a result, policymakers and healthcare leaders face significant obstacles in managing medical tourism markets, whether by promoting their growth or limiting access. However, taking a hint from the current situation, it will be prudent to infer that medical tourism has an immense opportunity to keep an eye on the future and contribute to market leaders’ quantitative and qualitative benefits.