Rising Health Care Costs Invite Alternative Medical Tourism

Big Business:  Health and Wellness Travelers Receive Eager Invitations

Greater amounts of disposable income and the desire to use it make today’s tourists moving targets for countries embracing medical tourism.  Likewise, rising health care costs are driving Americans, and their wallets, to seek health and wellness abroad.  In addition to its highly regarded reputation in the field of medical care, Scotland has been one of the countries capitalizing on the medical tourism market, carving a newer niche as more of a recovery and relaxation site.  Between walking, cycling, and spas, Scotland brings in over $500 million each year for recoveries from cosmetic surgery, stress-related injuries, or simply spa pampering and relaxation trips. According to Sue Finlay, marketing director at the Sheraton Grand in Edinburgh, “[medical tourism] has been a big part of a 30% increase in business over the last five years.”   

Scotland among International Hosts for Medical Tourism

Typically, medical tourism refers to patients seeking low cost surgery or dental care options in Southeast Asia.  However, Scotland, along with other European countries, offers a refreshing alternative to that view.  A recent report on future trends in medical tourism states,  

“Scotland’s unique selling point is the great outdoors, unpolluted fresh air, landscape, and endless walking possibilities, which could all be used to sell recovery from cosmetic surgery, stress-related illnesses, and major surgery as well as pampering treatments.”   

The actual procedure is only part of medical tourism; proper recovery completes the health and wellness concept.   

Scotland Refining Medical Tourism

In addition to providing solace for recovering medical patients, Scotland offers medical tourism in the form of a palatable exercise climate.  As obesity plagues Americans, including children, vacations where people wait in line at amusement parks while munching on high-priced junk food may not be the best health and wellness option;  Especially when the residual effects play into the rising health care costs.  Who knew people would want to vacation to get more exercise?  Scotland certainly does, as it is among several European countries with gorgeous landscapes offering spas and outdoor activities as a type of preventive medicine.   

Source:  Jeremy Watson, “Health Tourists are Worth Their Weight in Gold,” Scotland on Sunday, January 14, 2007