Medical Tourism in the Region of Thessaly, Greece: Opinions and Perspectives from Healthcare Providers

Medical tourism is considered to be one of the most upcoming and profitable markets worldwide. The objective of the study is to examine the potential and challenges of medical tourism in the region of Thessaly from the perspective of healthcare providers. A cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2020 to December 2021 in all the medical, rehabilitation and elderly care facilities. A questionnaire focusing on the stances and views of healthcare facilities' managers was constructed. Private health units are more engaged in medical tourism compared with others, and elderly care facilities are not totally involved. Health units mostly provide dialysis, orthopedics, oncology and gynecology medical tourism services. High-quality services, low costs, touristic and cultural interest and climatological conditions are reported as the main challenges for attracting tourists. Investment in facilities and actions and cooperation with banks and tax breaks are stated as the most common policies and ministries and associations as the most important bodies that can promote medical tourism. Medical tourism in the region is underdeveloped. Medical tourism can be a driver of economic growth if relevant policies are designed with the aim to strengthen and promote it.