Dubai medical tourism revenues hit AED1.4 billion in 2016

WAM -- Medical tourism in Dubai yielded returns of around AED1.421 billion in 2016 against AED1.40 billion in 2015, with the number of incoming wellness tourist arrivals amounting to 326,640 in 2016, a 9.5 percent growth over the previous year, according to Dubai Health Authority, DHA.

The much-coveted potential boasted by Dubai, particularly at the medical level, has rendered the emirate a sought-after destination for recuperative tourism, Dr. Layla Al Marzouqi, Director of the DHA Medical Tourism Council, said.

Ages of wellness tourists who visited medical facilities in Dubai from outside the country ranged from 25 to 45 years, she said, noting that the medical specialties that were in heavy demand were orthopedics, dermatology and ophthalmology, with 27 percent of the tourists are Asians, 31 percent Arabs and 15 percent Europeans.

"The DHA's strategy is premised to boost the emirate's competitiveness and enhance its position on the global medical tourism scene," she said, noting that the emirate aims to attract more than 500,000 medical tourists by 2020 and diversify investment opportunities at the healthcare platform.

WAM/Hatem