Medical tourism in Greece: The development factors

Abstract

Medical Tourism is one of the oldest types of tourism, as it originates from ancient Greece. However, in recent years it has been growing more and more in about sixty countries in the world. Ranking Greece in the forty third (43th) place worldwide and ninth (9th) in Europe, claiming a significant share in this market. Based on a bibliographic review, the current research classifies concepts and definitions concerning the industry of medical tourism. More specifically, it focuses on the factors that motivate international patients to travel for medical care outside the borders of their country, as well as the factors that attract them and influence their final decision as to the destination of their choice. The picture of medical tourism in Greece today has been captured, and a SWOT analysis has been performed. Results have been documented, examined, and appraised. In the context of this investigation, the aforementioned conclusions were drawn from secondary literature research.