This week, RNCOS presented their latest report “Asian Medical Tourism Analysis (2008-2012). The report states that in spite of the economic crisis, the medical tourism sector has emerged as the fastest growing segment of the Asian tourism industry.

One of the major factors resulting in more international patients visiting Asia for treatment is the economic slowdown in the West, where the cost of medical treatments have been significantly high, which has prompted western patients to visit cost effective destinations in the East. Other factors are the excellent quality of care in Asia, with well-skilled medical professionals, and the ability to enjoy on site tourism attractions.

India foreseen as the fastest growing medial tourism destination

The report expects the total number of medical tourists coming to Asia for treatment to grow at a CAGR of around 17% during 2010-2012. The dominating countries have so far been India, Thailand and Singapore, however the report foresees India to emerge as one of the fastest growing medical tourism industries, expected to account for 26% of the region’s industry by 2012.

The Asian Medical Tourism Analysis (2008-2012) is produced by RNCOS, a leading market research and information analysis company, specializing in Industry intelligence and creative solutions for contemporary business segments. RNCOS has a long experience in performing market analysis within the medical tourism and global healthcare field.

The report provides an unbiased analysis of the current market and a future outlook on the six key Asian medical tourism markets; Thailand, India, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and the Philippines. The report also acknowledges the fact that the countries are vastly different in terms of infrastructure, cost, HR, competencies, patient perceptions and level of government support. All these facts have been taken under consideration in the final presentation.

With stating a two-digit growth rate for the medical travel industry, the report clearly confirms and strengthens the view of the expansion in the Asian medical tourism sector.