Medical tourism continues on its path to growth, driven by increasing healthcare costs, widening insurance coverage gaps and reduced capacity in certain North American countries. The American Journal of Medicine estimated in 2024 that medical travel generates $72 billion annually (USD) and the average medical traveler spends $6,000 per trip. The medical travel category covers a wide range of areas including:
- Non-elective procedures
- Surgical procedures
- Elective surgeries
- Wellness procedures
- Dental procedures
- Cosmetic procedures
As more travelers seek affordable healthcare options abroad, many countries are recognizing the demand in this travel niche and are highlighting the healthcare benefits they can offer as well as combining leisure experiences into the trip. The caveat for first time medical travelers is the complexity of planning medical trips and navigating foreign healthcare systems but technology can provide significant benefits and conveniences when planning medical and wellness trips.
Canadians Search for Healthcare Options Abroad
Canada is known for its strong healthcare system but many don’t realize that healthcare insurance provided on a provincial level and in the last decade, changes to coverages and diminishing healthcare capacity has caused major shifts in consumer attitudes towards Canadian healthcare. Even basic health care needs are becoming more difficult to meet as over 6.5 million Canadians do not have a family doctor or access to annual checkups and physicals. Longer wait times for specialists and specialized services such as MRIs have added to the challenges Canadians are facing when it comes to obtaining health care. These factors are driving Canadians to access healthcare services and procedures abroad. Faster appointment times and cheaper costs are tangible benefits that make medical travel much more appealing and a viable solution.
Regional Areas Focus on Medical Tourism
Medical travel is now in the spotlight across many regions as countries and organizations look to attract medical travelers and increase their own global exposure. Malaysia recently launched its ‘Healing Meets Hospitality’ campaign, declaring 2026 the year of Medical Tourism. To further their reach, Malaysia has deployed a high profile marketing campaign complete with recognizable international celebrities touting the benefits of the country’s healthcare infrastructure. Kazakhstan is now emerging as a medical travel hotspot specializing in cosmetic, dental and expensive in-vitro fertilization procedures. The government reports as much as 10,000 medical tourists each year and hopes to expand by marketing healthcare and services regionally. China has taken the experience to the next level by offering both cultural experiences and advanced medical procedures in one complete package. For those in non-critical phases, the combining of leisure aspects within the medical trip provides added value for the traveler.
Technology Simplifies Complex Medical Travel Planning
Planning and researching medical travel can be daunting, especially to first timers but recent innovations can help simplify a very complex process. Navigating foreign healthcare systems, managing singular or multiple appointments and handing pre and post care items can add additional layers of stress to what could be an already stressful situation. Innovations in AI technology can help with the research and planning process, enabling medical travelers a fast and efficient method to gather information and specifics for an upcoming trip. Mobile apps, such as medTOUR+assist can provide organizational, navigational and information access functions before, during and after the medical trip. Smartphone devices are an indispensable accessory during medical trips and current mobile device functionality can deliver significant conveniences and benefits to medical travelers. Access to localized healthcare resources, facility navigation, appointment reminders and pre and post procedure care checklists can alleviate some of the stresses involved with planning and undertaking medical travel.
Medical and Wellness Travel Benefits from Technology
With ongoing shifts in healthcare infrastructure, many individuals who need or want medical and wellness procedures are searching outside their home country for more practical and affordable options. Increasing costs and longer wait times are factors driving the demand for medical travel but planning these trips can be daunting. Managing appointments, local navigation, pre and post care and the complexities of foreign healthcare systems can be simplified with mobile technology, such as medTOUR+assist, a smartphone app that maximizes device capabilities to offer conveniences and benefits to medical travelers. Many organizations and governments are highlighting their medical travel offerings and are creating experience packages that elevate the leisure part of the trip, adding value to the entire journey. The medical travel category is forecast to grow significantly over the next decade as insurance gaps and increasing healthcare costs continue to ramp up and consumers demand more value from their healthcare spending.
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