Further Evidence of How Far We are From a Return to Medical Tourism Volumes of the Past

It’s the question on so many hospitals' marketing teams and medical tourism facilitators' minds: When will international health travel resume?

While some places have announced intentions to open up come summer, many other places will likely hold off until the fall, and others are already open. But are the patients ready to book medical tourism appointments? Not by my professional observations.

Where you can currently travel

A few countries are already open to American travelers without any testing, quarantine, or vaccination requirements for entry. These include:

• Mexico
• Cost Rica
• Albania
• Domincan Republic
• North Macedonia
• Tanzania

Most of these are not medical travel destinations that Americans will choose.

New Additions

Three more countries announced that Americans who have been fully vaccinated can visit as of today:

• Belize
• Republic of Georgia
• Iceland

These too, are not medical travel destinations that Americans will choose. Dozens more countries are currently open to American travelers as well—especially throughout the Caribbean and Latin America—but require a recent negative test. What kind of negative test? Antibodies? Active COVID?

Future reopenings planned

Select countries have announced specific dates they’re targeting for when widespread international travel will resume.

• Greece - May 14th
• Spain - Mid-May
• Thailand - October
• Australia - October 31
• Great Britain - May 17th

What about those countries that haven’t announced plans yet?

All Europe - the likelihood of reopening Europe for tourism, and for medical tourism specifically grows more pessimistic by the day. Since vaccination rollout has been slower than the US and UK, and with rumors of another wave of infections on the way for those who have been vaccinated, were previously infected, or test negative, exact timing on when Americans will be welcome back is still unclear. That's tough for the medical tourism outlets who targeted American patients.

Japan’s recent announcement that overseas fans would not be allowed at this summer’s Olympics struck a blow for hopes of an imminent reopening. Instead, like Thailand and Australia, I think an autumn reopening is more likely for much of the region at this point.

Medical tourism throughout Asia also happens inter-Asia. So the question is when will "people", rather than "Americans" be allowed in? Probably the earliest is Q4 2021.

What about inbound medical tourism into the USA?

Some reports indicate that the US is planning to allow international visitors by mid-May. Since much of my current work in medical tourism within the USA depends on inbound tourism allowed to come to our facilities, I have noticed an uptick on my Canadian-facing sites with interest in the robotic-assisted joint replacement surgeries for knees and hips at affordable prices that are under USD $20,000 all inclusive except the travel.

As for US Citizens who venture out abroad, don't forget the current requirements:

For all international trips right now, you’re required to show a negative covid test within three days of your return flight to the US. (Many hotels and resorts, especially in Mexico, are offering complimentary tests for guests before their trip home.) The expectation is that this requirement will be expanded in the next month or two to include a negative test or proof of vaccination.

Restrictions and policies are subject to change

Throughout the pandemic, changes continue to happen and many of us have change fatigue. Dates could be delayed or get pushed up. This is why marketing medical tourism has been so difficult. It has also caused the business failures of many facilitators with whom the foreign hospitals and clinics had marketing agreements. So, once the border reopens, who will handle the marketing, advertising, public relations and brand awareness efforts?

So please, as you plan marketing, business development, construction projects, and advertising for your medical tourism offerings, or as you sign up for conferences, events, and webinars about the "opportunities, potentials and outlooks" for medical tourism, take these facts I shared above into consideration as you listen to the speakers. It will clearly become evident who has been paying attention and who has been preparing sides in a vacuum.

Questions?

Please call +1.800.727.4160 or email me through private message here on LinkedIn or ask your question in comments and I will be pleased to answer to the best of my knowledge.

And if you are considering domestic medical tourism within the USA, and you wish to travel without using commercial airlines as I did, call me to learn how I did it. Happy to help you get to many domestic medical travel destinations and get you pricing for the care you need. The fact is, you may not need to travel to an international destination to get a great deal and great care.