AI's potential to transform medical tourism is vast, enhancing patient experiences, operational efficiency, and personalised treatment with chatbots and telehealth, reshaping the industry profoundly.
FREMONT, CA: The tourism and travel industries, which previously experienced a steady four per cent annual growth and hosted nearly five billion international tourists, suffered a severe blow due to the global downturn caused by COVID-19. Increasingly, medical tourism has grown as a result of cost-effective treatment options and the specialisation of medical facilities and professionals in host countries.
Medical tourism involves individuals travelling abroad for medical treatment, constituting a growing global industry that generates substantial revenue. It represents a niche within the broader tourism sector.
The Impact of Technology
The integration of Industry 4.0 (IR 4.0) technologies into the healthcare sector promises to bring about advancements in health tourism. These innovations are set to revolutionize how patients plan and undertake their journeys, particularly in terms of initial assessments and follow-up procedures. This transformation carries significant advantages, particularly for the elderly and individuals with limited mobility, as it broadens their travel options.
In recent years, there has been a surge in investments in digitalised and interconnected healthcare, leading to the widespread adoption of technology-driven healthcare services. This trend has given rise to the concept of smart hospitals. Furthermore, the idea of using blockchain technology to enhance the security and efficient utilisation of health data in the health tourism sector has garnered considerable interest. The presence of IR 4.0 technologies enables virtual expert mobility, contributing to the readiness of developing countries to welcome health tourists.
