Role and importance of middle east market in development of medical tourism in Turkey

Globalized economy and liberalized service trade are gradually increasing its impact, as for tourism, it is becoming one of the most benefited industry from this stage. Medical tourism, as emerging from the intersection of health and tourism industry, is the state of people who travel other countries in search of medical treatment for the purpose of health. Medical tourism, which has boundaries were specified for this purpose, is rapidly developing in Turkey and in the world, and contributing crucially to the economies of countries. Advancing technology, infrastructure, finance and transport services, on the other hand, are expediting the development of the medical tourism industry. Turkey has become one the important destination for medical tourists by both having the development in the healthcare system and becoming rising value in the tourism industry. In the country, that has the competitiveness and demand side advantage due to its geographical location, the development of medical tourism industry is affected by the Middle East region. Within the context of the study, the effects of Middle East market to the medical tourism industry in Turkey, its place and importance is examined. In this context, the current literature on medical tourism is scanned, has benefited from the international statistics data and evaluation of the organizations representing the industry. Also, by carrying out a survey to the travel agencies which is one of the constituent parts of the industry, overall outlook and effects are analyzed. Consequently, on the basis of obtained data, as of the development level of Middle East medical tourism market and structure of the demand towards Turkey, Middle East has a positive effect on medical tourism industry in Turkey. Keywords : Medical Tourism in Turkey, Importance of Middle East Market.