MEDICAL TOURISM AND HEALTH

Each year between 20,000 and 50,000 tourists come to Spain for health reasons, it is known as “health or medical tourism”. In 2012, they generated an investment of 12.1 million euros, and 21,868 medical tourists. (Source: Turespaña)

Nevertheless, this represents a growing market. There are initiatives promoted by the government to promote Spain as a destination for medical tourism under the MARCA ESPAÑA. Every year, around 9 million of European citizens travel to other countries to have an operation, to have some medical treatments or for other reasons that are related to health and well-being.

This type of tourist spends an average of between 6 and 10 times more than the rest. They are middle-high class people that choose Spain because of the quality of their services and the price, lower than their country of origin.It represents a future opportunity for the tourism industry and it needs to be present with an attractive offer.

Specially the climate, the low costs (employment, infrastructures and services) together with the availability of highly qualified professionals enable the development of this activity. Across Almeria, you can find exceptional infrastructures as well as professionals highly capable to provide this type of services.

Also, the auxiliary services, such as the number of hotel beds, facilitate the development of this activity.