ISTANBUL, CAPITAL OF MEDICAL TOURISM

There are many types of health tourism, such as, medical tourism, thermal tourism, spa and wellness, elderly tourism, disabled tourism, sportsman tourism etc. Each country, even each
province should bring one or several of these health tourism types into prominence in accordance with its current conditions and each region should become a brand in a certain area of health tourism.
The important thing is which type of health tourism matches that country or the province and the tendency of that country or province to become a brand with it. For example, Afyon, Yalova, Bursa
can become a brand in thermal tourism, Antalya in elderly tourism and Izmir and the relevant region in Spa and Wellness. As for Istanbul, it is a potential city in medical tourism. Without doubt, Istanbul can become a brand in medical tourism.
If we examine Istanbul, its transportation is excellent with over 200 international flight destinations. It is a cultural capital, hosting thousands of years of culture and many civilizations and a paradise with its Bosphorus, sea, climate, and nature, in short Istanbul is an excellent tourism paradise and destination.
Public, University and Private Hospitals host health, for sure, manpower and especially very successful doctors in order to provide service to 14 million people living in such an excellent city. Over 200 private hospitals, over 10 university hospitals, at least 50 of these are modern, luxurious hospitals that are medically and technologically well- equipped. Approximately twenty out of thirty
hospitals accredited by JCI in Turkey are in Istanbul. Following the data of USA, it is also important to be the country and the city where
the highest number of internationally accredited hospitals are located.
When all of these are considered, in terms of health tourism, Istanbul is a leading province on providing service to Turkey and the world. It became a brand province in medical tourism.
Istanbul has the position and power to provide health services to the whole world. It became a brand in medical tourism in terms of health tourism. Therefore, Istanbul is not only the capital of culture but it will be the capital of medical tourism.

Best regards
Chairman
Dr. Dursun AYDIN