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Medical Tourism in the Region of Crete, Greece: Perspectives from Healthcare Providers, Hotel Managers, and Medical Tourists

Author

Listed:
  • Dimitrios Batakis

    (Department of Medical Tourism Technical, University of Crete, 71110 Heraklion, Greece
    Laboratory of Health Economics & Management, Department of Economics, University of Piraeus, 18534 Piraeus, Greece)

  • Symeon Sidiropoulos

    (Laboratory of Health Economics & Management, Department of Economics, University of Piraeus, 18534 Piraeus, Greece
    Department of Public and One Health, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece
    Hellenic Association of Political Scientists, 10673 Athens, Greece)

  • Alkinoos Emmanouil-Kalos

    (Laboratory of Health Economics & Management, Department of Economics, University of Piraeus, 18534 Piraeus, Greece
    Hellenic Association of Political Scientists, 10673 Athens, Greece)

  • Theodoros Fouskas

    (Department of Public Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, 11521 Athens, Greece)

  • Constantin Zopounidis

    (Department of Finance, Audencia Business School, 44300 Nantes, France
    The Financial Engineering Laboratory, Technical University of Crete, 73100 Chania, Greece)

  • Athanassios Vozikis

    (Laboratory of Health Economics & Management, Department of Economics, University of Piraeus, 18534 Piraeus, Greece)

Abstract

Medical tourism is a rapidly growing sector, and could become a major driver of tourism in Greece. This research examines the status quo and the potential of medical tourism on the island of Crete, Greece. A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2021 to February 2022, with the administration of questionnaires. The study involved the participation of 97 hotel managers from four- and five-star hotels, 515 doctors representing various specialties, and 890 medical tourists. Hotel managers overwhelmingly (90+%) believe that medical tourism can significantly contribute to the domestic economy, as well as that the domestic market is ready for the provision of medical tourism services on a larger scale, while more than 70% of the tourists asked would be interested in travelling to Greece to receive medical treatment. IVF, eye surgery, and dental services are the ones that would interest tourists the most, which are also aligned with the services commonly provided by the doctors questioned. Thus, according to the perspectives of doctors, hotel managers, and tourists, medical tourism has the capacity to grow significantly and contribute to the development of the Greek economy. The government should assume a supportive role, facilitating medical tourism processes by addressing the administrative, financial, and promotional aspects.

Suggested Citation

  • Dimitrios Batakis & Symeon Sidiropoulos & Alkinoos Emmanouil-Kalos & Theodoros Fouskas & Constantin Zopounidis & Athanassios Vozikis, 2023. "Medical Tourism in the Region of Crete, Greece: Perspectives from Healthcare Providers, Hotel Managers, and Medical Tourists," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:24:p:16822-:d:1299739
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Muhammad N. Abdul-Rahman & Thowayeb H. Hassan & Ahmed H. Abdou & Mostafa A. Abdelmoaty & Mahmoud I. Saleh & Amany E. Salem, 2023. "Responding to Tourists’ Intentions to Revisit Medical Destinations in the Post-COVID-19 Era through the Promotion of Their Clinical Trust and Well-Being," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-19, January.
    2. Chia-Wen Lee & Ching Li, 2019. "The Process of Constructing a Health Tourism Destination Index," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-11, November.
    3. Georgia Giannake & Athina Economou & Theodore Metaxas & Mary Geitona, 2023. "Medical Tourism in the Region of Thessaly, Greece: Opinions and Perspectives from Healthcare Providers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-16, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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