United Arab Emirates (UAE) Inbound Medical Tourism Market Overview, 2028
The medical tourism industry is growing worldwide, and Abu Dhabi is fast becoming a destination of choice in the Middle East. The UAE is becoming a prime medical tourism destination due to its strong healthcare infrastructure, foreign-trained specialists and physicians and latest technology housed at state-of-the-art medical facilities. The UAE tourism board is no stranger to catering to foreigners so coupling a vacation in Dubai or Abu Dhabi with the various medical treatments is becoming increasingly appealing to health-seeking travelers. Dubai aims to attract 500,000 medical travelers by 2020. Dubai attracted 630 thousand foreign patients in 2021, according to the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). Foreign patients chose Dubai as their medical tourism destination of choice due to the excellent healthcare provided by Dubai. According to the DHA report, most of the medical tourists came from Asia, 38% of total, 24% came from Europe and 22% belonged to GCC and Arab countries. Male patients accounted for 55% of foreign patients and the remaining 45% were women. Facilities in the UAE, especially those in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, boast of extremely high standard of healthcare quality in all medical facilities. Increased government spending and international regulations have greatly uplifted healthcare standards and medical tourism in Dubai and the UAE to its next higher level. Some of the top destinations for medical tourism in the UAE include Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain.
According to the research report ""United Arab Emirates Inbound Medical Tourism Market Overview, 2028,"" published by Bonafide Research, the United Arab Emirates Inbound Medical Tourism market was valued at USD 2.70 Billion in 2022. The UAE has invested significantly in developing world-class healthcare infrastructure, with state-of-the-art medical facilities, advanced technologies, and well-equipped hospitals. This modern infrastructure attracts patients seeking specialized treatments and procedures that require advanced medical equipment. The UAE hosts a diverse and highly skilled pool of medical professionals, including specialists in various fields such as cardiology, orthopedics, cosmetic surgery, fertility treatments, and more. The availability of internationally trained medical experts is a major driver for patients seeking specialized care. Many healthcare facilities in the UAE hold international accreditations from organizations like JCI (Joint Commission International) and others. This accreditation ensures that the facilities adhere to strict quality and safety standards, enhancing the trust of international patients. The UAE is renowned for its luxury offerings and exceptional hospitality. Medical tourists often experience personalized care, premium accommodations, and luxury amenities that contribute to a positive overall experience. The integration of medical treatments with wellness and spa offerings enhances the appeal of medical tourism packages, allowing patients to combine medical care with relaxation and rejuvenation. The establishment of medical tourism zones, such as Dubai Healthcare City, provides a dedicated space for medical facilities, wellness centers, and accommodations, streamlining the medical tourism experience.
Based on treatment type the market is divided into Cancer Treatment / Oncology, Cosmetic Treatment, Orthopedics Treatment / Spine Treatment, Cardiovascular Treatment, Fertility Treatment / IVF Treatments, Neurological Treatment, Organ Transplant, Bariatric Treatment, Dental Treatment, Alternative Treatment, Ophthalmology Treatment, Other Treatments. The Cosmetic Treatment segment to have the highest market share in the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) inbound medical tourism market. The UAE is known for its high standards of aesthetics and beauty. Dubai, in particular, has gained a reputation as a hub for luxury and beauty services, attracting individuals seeking top-notch cosmetic treatments. The UAE hosts modern and advanced aesthetic clinics that are equipped with the latest technology and equipment, offering a wide range of cosmetic procedures. These clinics provide a combination of medical expertise and luxury service. The UAE has attracted highly skilled and experienced cosmetic surgeons from around the world. Patients benefit from the expertise of specialists who are well-versed in a variety of cosmetic procedures. The UAE offers a comprehensive array of cosmetic procedures, including facial treatments (Botox, fillers, facelifts), body contouring (liposuction, tummy tucks), breast surgeries, hair restoration, and non-surgical treatments (laser therapies, skin rejuvenation). In addition, The UAE has attracted highly skilled neurologists, neurosurgeons, and specialists from around the world. These experts offer advanced neurological care to patients seeking treatment for various conditions. Many neurological centers in the UAE adopt a multidisciplinary approach, involving neurologists, neurosurgeons, radiologists, rehabilitation specialists, and more, to provide comprehensive care. Patients traveling to the UAE for neurological treatments have the opportunity to explore the country's cultural landmarks, luxury experiences, and tourist attractions during their recovery period.
The UAE has established itself as a hub for medical tourism, with private healthcare providers concentrating in key cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The concentration of advanced medical facilities and specialists makes these cities attractive to medical tourists seeking specialized care. Private providers in the UAE often focus on creating a seamless and comfortable experience for international patients. From airport assistance to accommodation arrangements, they prioritize making the medical journey hassle-free and pleasant. The UAE's private healthcare sector caters not only to medical treatments but also to health and wellness tourism, offering services like medical check-ups, health screenings, and wellness programs. For instance, few examples of private healthcare providers in the United Arab Emirates that have been associated with medical tourism include Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, American Hospital Dubai, Mediclinic Middle East, NMC Healthcare, Valiant Clinic, Healthpoint Hospital. In addition, Public healthcare providers can leverage partnerships with other healthcare entities, including research centers, pharmaceutical companies, and rehabilitation centers, to create a comprehensive medical ecosystem that appeals to medical tourists. Public healthcare providers can establish dedicated medical tourism wings or facilities within their premises, offering tailored services and amenities to international patients.
Considered in this report
• Geography: United Arab Emirates
• Historic year: 2017
• Base year: 2022
• Estimated year: 2023
• Forecast year: 2028
Aspects covered in this report
• United Arab Emirates Inbound Medical Tourism market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation
By Treatment Type
• Cancer Treatment / Oncology
• Cosmetic Treatment
• Orthopedics Treatment / Spine Treatment
• Cardiovascular Treatment
• Fertility Treatment / IVF Treatments
• Neurological Treatment
• Organ Transplant
• Bariatric Treatment
• Dental Treatment
• Alternative Treatment (Acupuncture, Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Chinese or Oriental medicine, Chiropractic and osteopathic medicine, Massage, Body movement therapies, Tai chi, Yoga, Dietary supplements, Herbal medicine, Nutrition/diet, Electromagnetic therapy, Reiki, Qigong, Meditation, Biofeedback, Hypnosis, Art, dance, and music, Visualization and guided imagery, etc.)
• Ophthalmology Treatment
• Other Treatments (Dermatological treatments, ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) treatments, Allergy and Immunology treatments, Sleep disorder treatments, Mental health and psychological treatments, Urology, diabetology, Proctology, Vascular Surgery, etc.)
By Service Providers
• Private
• Public
The approach of the report:
This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and listing out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual report of companies, analysing the government generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducted trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we have started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.
Intended audience
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to Inbound Medical Tourism industry, government bodies and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.