Medical tourism : an emerging industry in Egypt

Abstract EN

Medical tourism is a relatively recent global economic phenomenon which has assumed increasing importance for developing countries.

It has been slower to develop within the context of the tourism industry in Egypt but there is evidence that the tourism policy makers perceive medical tourism as a potentially lucrative niche market.

However, while the potential of medical tourism has seemingly been embraced by political directorate, there has been limited discussion of the extent to which tliis market niche can realistically provide competitive advantage for Egypt.

This research aims at exploring and analyses the issues surrounding medical tourism in today’s enviroimient.

As the costs of medical treatment and hospital queues gradually increase in tourist countries, the demands for mcdical services in developing countries are gradually increasing.

It concludes that that Egypt can specialize and comp etc successfully in the global medical tourism market with many developing world destinations .