Quantitative Research of Medical Tourism Market in Thailand

Abstract

Introduction. Recently, the medical tourism industry in Thailand has undergone significant qualitative transformations, with the healthcare sector as the main driver of the development and growth of the country's economy. On a global scale, medical tourism in Thailand demonstrates a significant increase in market value that exceeds the global average, ranking in the top five of the most attractive medical tourism destinations. A combination of medical services provided by highly qualified specialists, low-cost treatment, as well as ambitious government initiatives allowed Thailand to become one of the industry leaders and a significant hub for healthcare and tourism development. In general, there is a significant potential for market expansion. In particular, Russian tourists are largely represented in Thailand’s tourism market. Purpose. The purpose of the study was to identify the key drivers of medical tourism in Thailand that may help to adjust Russian national strategy to the development of medical tourism and the export of medical services within the framework of the Federal Project ”Export of Medical Services” as part of the National Project “Healthcare” upon the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 204 dated May 7th, 2018. Results and conclusion. Despite the fact that modern international medical tourism is relatively new, the entry into the market of both a separate medical organization and a governmental one is associated with a high threshold of entry requiring significant legal, infrastructural, scientific, and educational transformations, as well as ensuring the safety of medical tourism services at different levels, from national to municipal and hospital. Thus, the global scientific society is interested in the experiences of the countries that have achieved significant results in the international medical tourism market. Thailand is a striking example of a leading destination for medical tourists from Southeast Asia. The ecosystem of medical and wellness tourism created and supported by the government includes doctors, patients, medical organizations, international certification companies, assistance agencies, and medical tourism agencies. The creation of appropriate conditions for the essential development of all market participants allowed Thailand to begin its journey as a global medical destination in the Eastern Hemisphere.