About the Event

The 1st Nordic Health Tourism Summit was held on 1-2 March 2024 in Helsinki, Finland.

This event provided a platform for experts in the field of health tourism to come together to discuss developments in the sector and establish new collaborations. The summit was evaluated by the participants as an important step to contribute to the growth and development of the health tourism industry in the region and to create health tourism mobility between countries. Participants from Finland, the UK, Germany, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and Canada attended the summit. In addition to the health tourism opportunities of the participating countries, especially Finland, the participating hospitals had the opportunity to introduce their own businesses and their countries.

In addition to the presence of the Finnish health tourism association at the highest level of activity, the high-level participation of the officials of the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Helsinki in Finland was evaluated as signs of the importance given to the summit.

The parties had the opportunity to share and discuss the latest developments and innovations in the health tourism sector under the leadership of expert speakers. This helped to understand and evaluate the latest trends and future projections in the sector.

Participants had the chance to come together and establish potential business partnerships and develop business opportunities. Our event contributed to the development of collaborations and joint projects in the medical tourism industry.

The Summit provided an environment for expanding and strengthening international relations, contributing to the strengthening of ties of cooperation between participants from different countries, both culturally and economically.

The 1st Nordic Health Tourism Summit featured the following topics;

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN HEALTH TOURISM

Productive discussions and evaluations were held on the importance of digital transformation in health tourism worldwide, technological advances in the health sector and how digital applications can change the health tourism experience. After the presentations and one-to-one meetings, a consensus was reached on the following issues.

– Digital Marketing and International treatment search platforms are an important pillar of the sector.

– It is a common opinion that participating in international treatment search platforms in modern health tourism is a much more economical and effective option than individual marketing of hospitals. In this context, it was pointed out that in the traditional tourism sector, digital platforms such as “booking.com”, “tripadvisor.com”, “airbnb.com” are more effective in accommodation bookings than hotels’ own websites.

– Health tourism service providers should work more effectively in reaching and serving potential patients through digital marketing strategies and online booking systems.

– Digital platforms such as Kıwımedı.com international treatment search platform can make a great contribution to the sector in this regard.

– Second Opinion, Telemedicine and Remote Health Services: It was brought to the attention of the participants that special attention should be paid to these 3 topics as rapidly developing technology areas that enable patients to access healthcare services remotely. This enables medical tourism patients to receive remote consultation, diagnosis and treatment services before or after traveling and is of great importance.

PROMOTION OF HEALTH TOURISM OPPORTUNITIES IN FINLAND

Finland’s health tourism opportunities and advantages were presented in the most efficient way to the health care providers and speakers from other countries. The potential and attractiveness of Finland in the health tourism sector was emphasized.

Finland’s strong services, especially the professional approach plans for breast cancer and the aesthetic and rehabilitation process that follows, drew attention. In addition, it was noted as important information that treatment options that eliminate aesthetic concerns are accompanied by high rates of disease-free survival rates of 5 and longer from cancer. In addition, the combination of both pre-operative preparation and post-operative rehabilitation opportunities in orthopedic surgery and spinal surgery showed that Finland can be an alternative destination in Europe for health tourism.

Wellness services, Rehabilitation and Natural Treatment Options offered in Finland attracted the attention of the participants.

As a result of the evaluations made after the presentations and B2B meetings, it was concluded that it would be appropriate to promote Finland’s health tourism potential and diversity.  It was evaluated that it would be appropriate for Finland to offer various treatment options, natural healing environments and wellness vacations to international patients in search of health tourism and that the Kiwimedi portal can produce services for these purposes. Participants from the UK stated that they saw on site that Finland could be an alternative destination, especially in orthopedic surgery.

PROMOTION OF HEALTH TOURISM OPPORTUNITIES IN TURKEY

Turkey’s health tourism opportunities and advantages were introduced to the participants of other countries in the most efficient way. Turkey’s potential and opportunities in the health tourism sector were presented in a very effective language. As a matter of fact, the B2B meetings between the participants from the UK and the participants from Turkey created the opportunity to develop a collaborative working environment.

Turkey’s strong healthcare infrastructure, specialties, geographical location and cultural attractiveness were highlighted.

Participating hospital chains, clinics, rehabilitation centers and elderly care providers from Turkey were able to meet not only the Finnish and Nordic market, but also institutions and organizations from Europe and even Canada. Patient mobility in the field of elderly health between Finland and Turkey was a separate agenda item.

PROMOTION OF HEALTH TOURISM OPPORTUNITIES IN THE TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS

IVF Treatment, Thermal Tourism, Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery, Dental Tourism, Medical Tourism and Check-up Packages, Natural and Cultural Attractiveness created various health tourism opportunities.

IVF centers were introduced as having high success rates and being more cost effective than European countries. Experts working in these centers showed that they can offer the best treatment to patients with their experienced teams.

The fact that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is the right health tourism destination with its natural beauties, historical and cultural heritage and quality and safe health service providers was emphasized by the speakers on behalf of Near East University.

QUALITY AND ACCREDITATION

An important issue at the summit was the need for hospitals providing health tourism services to give importance to international accreditation.

Health tourists want to receive treatment in accredited and quality approved centers.

Germany-based TEMOS health tourism accreditation company made detailed explanations to the participants at the summit with the highest level of participation and presentation.

The importance of quality and accreditation in health tourism is great in terms of gaining the trust of patients, raising service standards, increasing competitiveness and reducing risks in the sector. Therefore, it is important to ensure and maintain quality and accreditation for health tourism destinations.

CONCLUSION

An important point emphasized at this summit is that different actors of the sector should collaborate and unite around a common vision and develop more effective and inclusive solutions. This is vital for the future success and sustainability of the health tourism sector.

At this summit, participating countries and hospitals introduced themselves and introduced their place in the health tourism sector and the services they provide. Countries tried to raise international awareness by emphasizing their potential for health tourism and their expertise in healthcare services. Hospitals, on the other hand, promoted their quality healthcare services and specialties, and announced their services for international patients in Nordic countries.

This study will help to develop cooperation and marketing strategies in the health tourism sector and will enable international patients to get to know various health tourism destinations and healthcare providers better.

People now travel around the world not only to treat their illnesses, but also to improve their health and quality of life.

The desire for access to advanced medical infrastructure, specialized healthcare personnel and innovative treatment methods supports the growth of health tourism.

At this point, what will shape the future of health tourism is for all actors in the sector to work together and come together around a common vision.

This summit and these efforts will facilitate access to healthcare services for the people of the world, contribute economically and encourage cultural interactions.

PARTICIPANTS