ITB Berlin conduct global medical tourism research

In 2016 the world population undertook 11.4 million international health and medical trips.

According the World Travel Monitor by IPK International and commissioned by ITB Berlin, in 2016 the world population undertook 11.4 million international health and medical trips, a market share of 1.4 % on all outbound trips worldwide. 70 % was health and wellness tourism and spa holidays. 30 % was for medical treatment, care and rehabilitation. That makes 3.4 million medical tourists and 8 million health/wellness/spa tourists.

With more than 1 million foreign health and medical trips, Germany is the world’s leading source market for health and medical tourism. In Europe, Russia is second, followed by France and Italy. The most important source market outside of Europe is the USA. In second, third and fourth place are Asian source markets South Korea, China and Japan.

Germany is the number one destination if you combine health and medical tourism, closely followed in Europe by Hungary, Austria and Spain. Outside of Europe, the USA is the most popular destination for health and medical tourism, followed by Mexico and Japan. Austria is the most important European destination for wellness and spa holidays.

When looking at socio-demographics there is nearly an equal distribution between male and female health and medical travellers. However, there are differences regarding age distribution. The percentage of travellers between 35 and 54 years is by far the biggest group with a share of around 50 % followed by travellers up to 34 years and the age segment 55+.

It may be coincidence that Germany is said to be the op source and top destination, when ITB Berlin is being held in Germany- and some may dispute the figures.