South Korea Aims to Develop its Medical Tourism Industry

-- End Ad Box --->Moreover, the government’s green signal to
After gaining its economy on semiconductors, shipsseek foreign patients seems extremely beneficial for
and steel, South Korea is now pushing its surgeons'the industry, considering the sustainable increase in the
skills in the beauty business to carve out a newnumber of foreign patients. According to another
position. This is boosted by active government support,research report “Emerging Medical Tourism in South
boom in cosmetic surgery and a pool of experiencedKorea”, South Korea received 25,000 foreign
surgeons. The country is looking forward to surpasspatients in 2008, an increase of 56% from 16,000 in
Singapore, Thailand and India to become Asia's new2007. The country received a large number of
medical tourism hub. As per our new research on theinternational patients from China, Japan and the
sector called “Asian Medical Tourism AnalysisSoutheast Asian countries.
(2008-2012)”, the medical tourism market in South“Asian Medical Tourism Analysis (2008-2012)”
Korea is projected to grow at a CAGR of aroundprovides statistical and in-depth analysis of the Asian
30% during 2010-2012.medical tourism industry. The report also highlights
The growth in the South Korean medical tourismvarious key players in the industry and this will give
industry has been well-supported by the governmentclients a clear picture of the Asian medical tourism
efforts and initiatives. For example, in February 2009,market. This will help them in taking smart decisions
the government has reserved 5% of the total hospitalwhile making investments in the market.
beds for foreign patients. It is mainly due to qualityMoving ahead, the report discusses about the medical
services provided to foreigners visiting the country fortourism industry in the Asian countries. We have found
treatment and to ensure that there is enough spacethat countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, India
for domestic patients also. Besides, in an effort toand Philippines are also emerging as hot spots for
increase the share of private sector in the medicalmedical tourism. In this regard, the report provides
tourism industry, the government has allowedcomplete information about medical tourism industry in
State-licensed clinics and hospitals to directly seekthese countries as well. It also highlights various key
foreign patients as part of South Korea's efforts tomarket trends, which are growing in line with the overall
become Asia's new medical tourism hub.industry growth.