Germany’s attraction for Gulf medical tourists stimulates agency growth

Germany manages to attract an increasing number of medical tourists from the UAE and other Gulf states.

Despite massive hospital building programmes and the rise of local medical tourism, Germany manages to attract an increasing number of medical tourists from the UAE and other Gulf states.

Warmund von Massenbach of medical tourism agency Premier Healthcare Germany says, “The number of Arab nationals and other international patients in the GCC flying to Germany for medical treatment is increasing”

The rise of Germany as a destination for GCC tourists seeking treatment has led to an increase in the number of medical tourism agencies, often opening up local offices in to cater to the demand.

When it comes to UAE locals seeking healthcare abroad, Germany, the UK, and the USA have always been the key destinations of choice.

Premier Healthcare Germany has handled 100,000 patients (mostly aged 45 to 60 and from high income families) from the Gulf region, most being from Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Cancer is a major concern with many patients suffering from breast cancer. Other health issues are orthopaedics and spine surgery. The majority of cases from the UAE are because the treatment does not yet exist in Dubai.