International Medical Travel Survey results revealed at IMTEC 2013

Global survey revealed at IMTEC 2013 finds cosmetic surgery expected to be the leading growth area in medical travel.

Monte Carlo, Monaco: The results of a new survey on the international medical travel sector were revealed at the International Medical Travel Conference and Exhibition (IMTEC 2013) that took place in Monaco earlier this year. Extensive optimism surrounds the future of medical tourism, despite the economic downturn, with travel for cosmetic surgery expected to be the principal growth area. The survey that was carried out for the International Medical Travel Journal, canvassed the views of over 400 clinics, hospitals and medical tourism businesses in 77 countries about the current market for medical tourism and their expectations for the future.

IMTEC 2013, organised by Informa Life Sciences Exhibitions, the organisers of the world’s second largest healthcare exhibition ‘Arab Health’, in strategic cooperation with the European Medical Travel Conference (EMTC) was a two-day conference that brought together consumers and service providers in the global medical tourism industry. IMTEC 2013 concluded on the 23rd of March at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco. The exhibition covered 858sqm and hosted 94 exhibitors, 48 speakers, 816 attendees and had representation from 27 countries, all under one roof. It was the destination for leaders and thinkers in the medical travel arena to learn and discuss the latest developments in the medical travel market.

According to Keith Pollard, Managing Director, International Medical Travel Journal: “We know that the results of our survey for The International Medical Travel Journal represent quality, expertise and fulfils an industry need, so IMTEC was the perfect fit for us, as the ethos of the show is exactly the same. It has become a 'must attend' event for us as well as for our many clients and colleagues across the industry as it brings together all the people we want to meet in one place. Our survey results will have given those key industry players something to talk about and take away and use in their businesses. I can't think of many other events where we could have the same impact."

Some of the key findings revealed by the International Medical Travel Journal Survey were that; 6o% of clinics, hospitals and medical tourism reported growth in international patient numbers over the last 12 months, 23% saw no increase and 17% experienced a decline, 80% expect their international patient numbers to grow over the next 12 months, 49% expect annual growth of more than 10% in the medical tourism market over the next five years.

Over the next five years, cosmetic surgery is perceived as the leading growth area for medical travel (cited by 56% of respondents), with dental treatment (43%), cancer treatment (43%) and infertility treatment (40%) also expected to experience significant growth. When asked to name the most popular destinations, in terms of patient numbers, the respondents selected India, Thailand and the USA. When requested to name the leading destinations in terms of quality and range of services provided to international patients, the respondents ranked the USA, Thailand and Singapore the highest. When requested to name the leading source countries for international patients, the respondents named the UK, the USA, and Russia as providing the highest number of patients.

According to the International Medical Travel Journal, the biggest internal factor considered by the respondents to affect growth of their international patient business is the size of the marketing budget.  Lack of marketing expertise was also an important factor. The biggest external factor considered by the respondents to restrict growth in international patient numbers is lack of government support for medical tourism.  Over half the respondents thought that the image of the country/destination had a major or some impact on restricting growth.

Releasing such a survey at IMTEC 2013 confirms its global value as an event of choice for exhibitors and participants from various sectors of the international medical travel arena.

“By participating in this important event we not only had a very good opportunity to interact with the international healthcare community and exchange views and experiences, but also to introduce CSH as a leader in healthcare and medical tourism in the region. Our leading position is based on the high quality of our services as well as the state of art equipment and the excellent and luxurious facilities,” says Dr Yashar Ali, C.M.O., Canadian Specialist Hospital, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. For more information about IMTEC 2013 visit [link removed due to site no longer being available] or call +971 4 4072434.

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Note to Editors

About Informa Life Sciences Exhibitions:
For more information, please visit www.informalifesciences.com.

About International Medical Travel Journal:
For more information, please visit www.imtj.com

About Canadian Specialist Hospital Dubai:
For more information, please visit www.csh.ae

For media enquiries please contact:
Inga Stevens
Senior Communication Manager
Informa Life Sciences Exhibitions
T: +971 4 407 2743
inga.stevens@informa.com