1. Chairman Dr. Dursun AYDIN

2. WHY HEALTH TOURISM? ?

3.  Turkey is a tourism paradise with rich geographical, climatic, sea, sand and cultural resources.  Despite this potential and the huge investments tourism is just limited to the sea sides spread over 4 months period. BECAUSE :

4.  Tourism has to be extended over 12 month period;  Alternative tourism must be improved.  Health tourism is one of the most significant alternative tourisms. SOLUTION

5. HEALTH TOURISM  Medical Tourism (Eye, dentistry, aesthetic, cardiovascular surgery, prosthesis etc. treatments)  Thermal Tourism (Cure treatment, Spa, aquatherapy etc.)  Elderly Care Tourism (Elderly resorts and home caring type hotel facilities etc.)

6. FOR HEALTH TOURISM :  Due to the health reform program, we now have private hospitals that are of the standards of hospitals in Europe (Especially hospitals in Istanbul, Ankara, İzmir).  Our thermal spring resources are listed as 7th in the world ranking. The water and mineral water qualities are perfect.  We have favorable climate, sun and and plateaus conducive for elderly holiday resorts.

7. WHY WOULD EUROPEANS COME TO TURKEY FOR HEALTH TOURISM?  Treatment costs in Europe is too high and not cost effective,  Patient contributions are on the rise,  Spa treatment allowances are been restricted,  The Elderly population in developed countries is increasing (approaching 20%).

8. WOULD PATIENTS FROM THE MIDDLE EAST AND CENTRAL ASIAN COME FOR HEALTH TOURISM?  There is a wealthy and elite class in the Middle Eastern and Central Asian Countries that can afford quality health services.  After 9/11 there has been a decline in the number of patients in Middle East moving to the West for health services. Alternative destinations are been exploited.  We have religious and cultural similarities, and they are close neighbours as well (Pakistan, Afghanistan, Syria, Kuwait, etc).

9. REASONS WHY OUR HEALTH TOURISM IS LACKING:  Awareness towards health tourism just begun in the last 3-4 years.  The concept and quality of Private Hospitals, Spa facilities and Elderly Resorts just started improving.  Lack of collaboration and the use of a common voice between Government, Private sectors and NGO’s concerning health tourism  The Health Tourism facilities have not been presented and publicized enough to the world.

10. FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF HEALTH TOURISM:  The Health Institutions, Spa facilities and especially Holiday Resorts must be standardized and accredited.  The Government needs to make strict policies and publicity funds, and allocate sufficient budget for this.  Publicity fund for health tourism must be allocated and the private sectors needs to be supported.  Qualified personnel for Health Tourism needs to be trained and certification programs organized.

11. CONCLUSION:  Expanding tourism over 12 months would play a significant role in Health Tourism,  Government support and Publicity Fund for Health Tourism is very necessary,  If the Health Tourism potentials are fully exploited a yearly income of around USD 10 billion would be achieved after just few years,  Turkey has the potential and capacity to become the health center of Europe.